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.
The city is at war
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
The city is at war
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
Here's how it goes
It's about who you know
If you
Got money you get in for free
Get on your knees if you wanna reach the top
The party never stops (never stops)
Don't stop now (don't stop now)
Come on!
Stick around and see how it ends
Get the money and run
Meet me at the parking lot
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up yeah
The city is at war
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
This little girl was alone in the world
Until she
Found a way to get her fix for free
Oh pretty please
It breaks my heart to see
Another tragedy
She finally got her picture on TV
Come on!
Live it up while you can
We all lose in the end
No you don't get another shot
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up, yeah
The city is at war
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
The city is at war
The city is at war
The city is at war
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah (the city is at war)
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah.
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
The city is at war
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
Here's how it goes
It's about who you know
If you
Got money you get in for free
Get on your knees if you wanna reach the top
The party never stops (never stops)
Don't stop now (don't stop now)
Come on!
Stick around and see how it ends
Get the money and run
Meet me at the parking lot
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up yeah
The city is at war
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
This little girl was alone in the world
Until she
Found a way to get her fix for free
Oh pretty please
It breaks my heart to see
Another tragedy
She finally got her picture on TV
Come on!
Live it up while you can
We all lose in the end
No you don't get another shot
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up, yeah
The city is at war
And it's playtime for the young and rich
Ignore me if you see me 'cause I just don't give a s***
The city is at war
Bless the young and rich
With designer drugs and designer friends
The city is at war
The city is at war
The city is at war
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah (the city is at war)
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah
Bang bang! Shoot 'em up,
Shoot 'em up, yeah.
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
this song is my new favorite! sounds like dying whlaes in there
i can't help but think that their songs have gotten a lot darker though. the bang bang shoot em up reminds me of VA tech a bit =/ and the little OD girl makes me think of britany spears lol i can't wait for the new album!