The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Go without
'Til the need seeps in
You're low, anymore
Collecting your novel petals for the stem
And glow
Glow
Melt and flow
You disarrayed your the fragile fray
Spill it out on the ragged floor
A thousand different versions of yourself
And if the old guard still offend
They got nothing left on which you depend
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood
And off with their heads
Jump from the hook
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life
And they got no right
As sure as you have eyes
They got no right
Just put yourself in my new shoes
And see that I do what I do
Because the old guard still offend (their pudgy hearts and shiny hands)
They got nothing left on which we depend
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood
And off with their heads
Jump from the hook
You're not obliged
To swallow anything you despise
That you despise
That you despise
That you despise
That you despise
'Til the need seeps in
You're low, anymore
Collecting your novel petals for the stem
And glow
Glow
Melt and flow
You disarrayed your the fragile fray
Spill it out on the ragged floor
A thousand different versions of yourself
And if the old guard still offend
They got nothing left on which you depend
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood
And off with their heads
Jump from the hook
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life
And they got no right
As sure as you have eyes
They got no right
Just put yourself in my new shoes
And see that I do what I do
Because the old guard still offend (their pudgy hearts and shiny hands)
They got nothing left on which we depend
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood
And off with their heads
Jump from the hook
You're not obliged
To swallow anything you despise
That you despise
That you despise
That you despise
That you despise
Lyrics submitted by heyheyhey111, edited by RamuneDrink, HLMencken
Sleeping Lessons Lyrics as written by James Russell Mercer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In my opinion this song could be about politics, but I really think it's about an alcoholic.
Go without 'Til the need seeps in You low animal (Trying to stay sober)
And glow Glow Melt and flow (Alcoholics have a glowing reddish face)
Eviscerate your fragile frame And spill it out in the ragged floor A thousand different versions of yourself
(Throwing the bottle on the floor with different emotions)
And if the old guard still offend They got nothing left on which you depend So enlist every ounce Of your bright blood And off with their heads (Hurting someone in a rage? maybe? I don't know)
Jump from the hook, You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise, See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life, And they got no right, As sure as you have eyes, They got no right, (buzzards being the alcohol companies?) (You don't have to drink it)
Just put yourself in my new hooves And see that I do what I do Because the old guard still offend Their pudgy hearts and slimy hands They've got nothing left on which we depend So enlist every ounce Of your bright blood And off with their heads (saying its hard to stay sober)
Jump from the hook You're not obliged to swallow anything that you despise (you don't like it, it burns, but you still drink it)
That's an insightful take on it. Alcoholism. I also think it has to do with overcoming some sort of serious vice. Could be a relationship or an addiction. Good one.