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.
Is this my life, or is this just routine?
With a dime, purchased my self esteem
All this aggression and self hatred makes for one angry machine
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
They’re selling it all up to me
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
Because right now it’s what I need
Could you sell me enough?
Security is an emotional need
We’re all the same made from the machine
We could rise up to take a stand but they are waiting and one step ahead
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
They’re selling it all up to you
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
Because they see it in you
Take it and make it all my own
I paid good money to feel safe
I believe everything I buy, therefore I am
There’s something that I’m looking for
The thing that promises me more
A mass of production of what makes me who I am
Escape from this mundane life
They tell you you need something more
You need to be a better man now
Well they’ve got something for you
But they’re going to need to whore you
Could you sacrifice your soul for this?
Well you’re going to need to try
I think I found a piece of you that doesn’t come from a package
But they’re waiting for it to fail, so they can sell you something new
With a dime, purchased my self esteem
All this aggression and self hatred makes for one angry machine
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
They’re selling it all up to me
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
Because right now it’s what I need
Could you sell me enough?
Security is an emotional need
We’re all the same made from the machine
We could rise up to take a stand but they are waiting and one step ahead
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
They’re selling it all up to you
Now they’re selling rebellion, they’re selling rebellion
Because they see it in you
Take it and make it all my own
I paid good money to feel safe
I believe everything I buy, therefore I am
There’s something that I’m looking for
The thing that promises me more
A mass of production of what makes me who I am
Escape from this mundane life
They tell you you need something more
You need to be a better man now
Well they’ve got something for you
But they’re going to need to whore you
Could you sacrifice your soul for this?
Well you’re going to need to try
I think I found a piece of you that doesn’t come from a package
But they’re waiting for it to fail, so they can sell you something new
Lyrics submitted by hannahheartattack
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
wannabe rebel, wannabe bad boy/girl =P you watch Tv and think its cool to feel like the antichrist ;) youre good and those other "ideals" aren´t even your own thoughs , go ahead and fuck yourself up, so be it.
oh btw false freedom :P
This is about how anything original or anything that deviates from the norm gets sold to us eventually. People believe that they are rebelling and destroying the status quo whenever they purchase something related to a movement, belief e.g punk or feminist type slogans on t-shirts being sold in mainstream stores. The truth is this is how we are kept in line and the system benefits financially from this aswell.