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.
I was born into a curse
An outlaw straight from birth
My mama danced around a fire
And pulled me from the dirt
I live out in the woods
I'm not misunderstood
Maybe you're thinking that I won't
I'm thinking that I would
That's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
One, one sick son of a gun
I'm crushing you for fun
Don't find yourself on the wrong end
Of anything I've done
'Cause I'll lay you to waste
I guess I like the taste
I'll take you out the back door
And shoot you right in the face
That's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I was born into a curse
An outlaw straight from birth
My mama danced around a fire
And pulled me from the dirt
I live out in the woods
I'm not misunderstood
Maybe you're thinking that I won't
I'm thinking that I would
That's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
Whoa, that's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
Whoa, that's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
An outlaw straight from birth
My mama danced around a fire
And pulled me from the dirt
I live out in the woods
I'm not misunderstood
Maybe you're thinking that I won't
I'm thinking that I would
That's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
One, one sick son of a gun
I'm crushing you for fun
Don't find yourself on the wrong end
Of anything I've done
'Cause I'll lay you to waste
I guess I like the taste
I'll take you out the back door
And shoot you right in the face
That's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I was born into a curse
An outlaw straight from birth
My mama danced around a fire
And pulled me from the dirt
I live out in the woods
I'm not misunderstood
Maybe you're thinking that I won't
I'm thinking that I would
That's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
I'm the black sheep of the family
Whoa, that's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
Whoa, that's why I'm dressed in black
Ain't ever coming back
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
No, don't look the other way
I'll spit right in your face
'Cause I'm the black sheep of the family
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This song is NOT a "blatant ripoff" of "Animals" by Nickelback. A "blatant ripoff" would be more like what Hollywood Undead's song "Undead" did to Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train". And, I think this song is pretty awesome. I saw Saliva in concert back in May and although they didn't perform this song, it was still an amazing show. I believe this song is, in simple terms, just about how this guy feels like he doesn't belong.
I'm not sure what it means but I think he was the outcast in his family, no understood him or listened to him. Then finally he got sick of it and left or he killed them...........I'm not sure.........But I freakin love this song.
This song is a blatant ripoff of Animals by Nickelback in terms of the music but it's slightly slower. Animals is awesome but this song isnt