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.
Someone smashed my alarm
It's got me on the edge
You know it's so sharp
(Ah)
And you know I won't go
You know I won't go
I don't wanna go
(He won't go)
The corporation's boiling over
Everybody's taking over
[Chorus]
And I'm back in flesh
Back in flesh
Back in flesh
Back in flesh
Back in flesh
You better sign your time card now
They don't care about you anyhow
Sign in, your minimum cut
You're late again, your salary's cut!
Someone smashed my alarm
It's got me on the edge
You know it's so sharp
(Ah)
And you know I won't go
You know I won't go
I don't wanna go
(He won't go)
The corporation's boiling over
Everybody's taking over
[Chorus]
I won't go
(He won't go)
I don't wanna go
(You must go!)
Is it time to go?
(The orders are in!)
Well, I'd rather go bowling!
(The lanes are closed!)
Maybe a little tennis?
(Your racket's got a hole)
How about some baseball?
(Field's rained out)
Maybe a little fishing?
(The fish are on vacation.)
Well, how about some golfing?
(The greens are overgrown.)
Well, what about some swimming?
(I don't think so!)
Well, what about this? And that?
(No, no, no, no, no!)
Well, you can't tell me what to do!
Well, you can't tell me what to do!
(Hey, fuck you!)
It's got me on the edge
You know it's so sharp
(Ah)
And you know I won't go
You know I won't go
I don't wanna go
(He won't go)
The corporation's boiling over
Everybody's taking over
[Chorus]
And I'm back in flesh
Back in flesh
Back in flesh
Back in flesh
Back in flesh
You better sign your time card now
They don't care about you anyhow
Sign in, your minimum cut
You're late again, your salary's cut!
Someone smashed my alarm
It's got me on the edge
You know it's so sharp
(Ah)
And you know I won't go
You know I won't go
I don't wanna go
(He won't go)
The corporation's boiling over
Everybody's taking over
[Chorus]
I won't go
(He won't go)
I don't wanna go
(You must go!)
Is it time to go?
(The orders are in!)
Well, I'd rather go bowling!
(The lanes are closed!)
Maybe a little tennis?
(Your racket's got a hole)
How about some baseball?
(Field's rained out)
Maybe a little fishing?
(The fish are on vacation.)
Well, how about some golfing?
(The greens are overgrown.)
Well, what about some swimming?
(I don't think so!)
Well, what about this? And that?
(No, no, no, no, no!)
Well, you can't tell me what to do!
Well, you can't tell me what to do!
(Hey, fuck you!)
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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Great version of a great song,
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I wonder if the contractual troubles the band had influenced some of these songs - easy to feel like a factory hand rather than a rock star if your product is selling but you aren't making any money.