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.
Don't act like you've been silent
I know how you spread that
Web of contradictions
Wide like so much cover fire
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines
Be careful who you
Wave that tongue at 'round here
I've seen smarter acts than yours
Get disappeared
If you keep swinging that knife
All over this town
You are bound
To get your own back stabbed
Keep watch for the mines
The concealed dangers
The traps and the coils of the wires
With the sharp razors
The ditches and the trenches and the smiles
Of the grave diggers
And if you're told
The answer needs no questioning
The answer is a lie
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Will they bleed everyone out?
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Before they die?
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Will they bleed everyone out?
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Before they die?
Keep watch for the mines
The concealed dangers
The traps and the coils of the wires
With the sharp razors
The ditches and the trenches and the smiles
Of the grave diggers
And if you're told
The answer needs no questioning
The answer is a lie
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines
I know how you spread that
Web of contradictions
Wide like so much cover fire
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines
Be careful who you
Wave that tongue at 'round here
I've seen smarter acts than yours
Get disappeared
If you keep swinging that knife
All over this town
You are bound
To get your own back stabbed
Keep watch for the mines
The concealed dangers
The traps and the coils of the wires
With the sharp razors
The ditches and the trenches and the smiles
Of the grave diggers
And if you're told
The answer needs no questioning
The answer is a lie
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Will they bleed everyone out?
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Before they die?
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Will they bleed everyone out?
Keep watch for the mines (will they bleed everyone out)
Before they die?
Keep watch for the mines
The concealed dangers
The traps and the coils of the wires
With the sharp razors
The ditches and the trenches and the smiles
Of the grave diggers
And if you're told
The answer needs no questioning
The answer is a lie
Keep watch for the mines
Keep watch for the mines
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I think it goes "You are bound to get your own back stabbed" instead of "arm back stabbed." :)
This song makes me think of someone I know who gets in these moods sometimes where no matter what you say, she tells you you're wrong, and she says it with this smile and this laugh, like she thinks she's being funny, but it actually hurts. And when you try to explain yourself, she won't let you talk, she just talks over you, keeps telling you you're wrong. "The ditches and the trenches and the smiles of the gravediggers." She just wants so bad to bring you down, and smiles while she does it. "Web of contradictions" because she could just as easily say the same thing you just did, but no one would put her down for it. I guess "keeping watch for the mines" would be trying to avoid getting in those situations, avoiding saying things that would give her ammunition. That's what it makes me think of. Like most Dashboard songs, I'm sure it can be interpreted in a million different ways.
Yeah, it does go, "You are bound to get your OWN back stabbed" .. and also its "I've seen smarter acts than yours GET disappeared."
awesome song
well, has anyone noticed that the lyrics in these songs have been a lot less romantic and innocent and more paranoid/mines/gravediggers/golddiggers/thieves/bombs- referenced?
this song makes me immediately think of people who are really nice to you and smile and act like your friend and act like they're SO trustworthy and sweet and then go behind your back and stab stab stab, lying to everyone about you. 'keep watch for the mines' is like watch out for situations when someone will hear what you're saying and tell the other person, ruining your little act and letting everyone who has considered you a friend that you are unworthy of trust at all... a beware to backstabbers, or just liars in general. eventually you'll get caught and lose your own game.
anyways...i think this is a pretty great song; clearly it reminds me of a few people.
omg. doesn't the beginning of the guitar at the VERY start of the song sound like the intro to screaming infidelities?? i thought so right when i heard it. maybe it's about the same person...? that would be interesting.
i thought that same thing about it being about the same person. this may not be what it's about at all, but i had the thought it could be like, she recognized the song was about her and she told people lies about their relationship. it's prob not about that, but it's an idea. i think that happened with pete wentz or something, haha, so i kind of thought of that. it's a good song though, i love the ending the best.
actually, i think its "yet disappeared" not get or has
it is definitely "the traps and the coils of the wires" and not "the traps and the chords of the wires" listen closely.
Here are my corrections to the lyrics, and I'm 99.9% sure these are correct. I capitalized all the corrections.
Don't act like you've been silent I know how you spread that web of contradictions Wide, like so much cover FIRE
Keep watch for the mines. Keep watch for the mines.
Be careful who you wave that tongue at 'round here. I've seen smarter acts than yours GET disappeared. If you keep swinging that knife ALL over this town You are bound to get your OWN back stabbed
Keep watch for the mines The concealed dangers. The traps and the COILS of the wires With their sharp razors. The ditches and the trenches and the smiles Of the gravediggers. And if YOU'RE told "the answer needs no questioning," The answer is a lie.
Keep watch for the mines. Keep watch for the mines. Keep watch for the mines. (will they bleed everyone out?) (will they bleed everyone out?) Keep watch for the mines. (will they bleed everyone out before they die?) Keep watch for the mines. (will they bleed everyone out?) (will they bleed everyone out?) Keep watch for the mines. (will they bleed everyone out before they die?) Keep watch for the mines.
The concealed dangers, The traps and the COILS of the wires With their sharp razors. The ditches and the trenches and the smiles Of the gravediggers. And if YOU'RE told, "the answer needs no questioning" The answer is a lie.
Keep watch for the mines. Keep watch for the mines.
Sounds a little about religion to me.
"And if you told, the answer needs no questioning The answer is a lie."
"Web of contradictions" "Bleeding everyone out before they die"
The mines and the dangers could be about trying to avoid committing sins, which is hard because they are everywhere.
Doubt it, but i guess its how you look at it.
This is about betrayal, as evidenced by the talk of backstabbing as well as mines (which are hidden and explosive).