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.
Come
If our own lives aren't directly affected
Then it don't need to be corrected
Our fucking gift is our ignorance
Yeah, we're really serious
As they're paying for deliverance
We shut ourselves from the outcries
We blinker ourselves from the eyesores
'Cause we know we've got greatness within us
We have greatness within us
Innovative, giving, determined
It's time for the best in us to come out
And you can find imbalance
You can destroy imbalance
And you can change your values
Step up today
Yes, solid
Now let me get one thing straight, you know what?
Sometimes I do wish apples were our currency
So your hoarded millions would rot in their vaults
And that'd teach you to lay off the assault
That you're barraging on the lands of the poor
And I know we've all got enough problems of our own
But, but they're not show stoppers sitting on our throne in a home
Heated by a life unknown to the exploited
And it's so frustrating, the fucking state we're in
If our own lives aren't directly affected
Then it don't need to be corrected
Our fucking gift is our ignorance
Yeah, we're really serious
As they're paying for deliverance
We shut ourselves from the outcries
We blinker ourselves from the eyesores
And you can find imbalance
You can destroy imbalance
And you can change your values
Step up today
And you can find imbalance
You can destroy imbalance
And you can change your values
Step up today
Why is it that so many companies
Don't deserve us and can't get rid of us?
British Empire built free trade
Opportunistic, pushing
If our own lives aren't directly affected
Then it don't need to be corrected
Our fucking gift is our ignorance
Yeah, we're really serious
As they're paying for deliverance
We shut ourselves from the outcries
We blinker ourselves from the eyesores
'Cause we know we've got greatness within us
We have greatness within us
Innovative, giving, determined
It's time for the best in us to come out
And you can find imbalance
You can destroy imbalance
And you can change your values
Step up today
Yes, solid
Now let me get one thing straight, you know what?
Sometimes I do wish apples were our currency
So your hoarded millions would rot in their vaults
And that'd teach you to lay off the assault
That you're barraging on the lands of the poor
And I know we've all got enough problems of our own
But, but they're not show stoppers sitting on our throne in a home
Heated by a life unknown to the exploited
And it's so frustrating, the fucking state we're in
If our own lives aren't directly affected
Then it don't need to be corrected
Our fucking gift is our ignorance
Yeah, we're really serious
As they're paying for deliverance
We shut ourselves from the outcries
We blinker ourselves from the eyesores
And you can find imbalance
You can destroy imbalance
And you can change your values
Step up today
And you can find imbalance
You can destroy imbalance
And you can change your values
Step up today
Why is it that so many companies
Don't deserve us and can't get rid of us?
British Empire built free trade
Opportunistic, pushing
Lyrics submitted by Haunted Devil, edited by Waddup, AlexReynolds, BlueDiamondx3
Step Up Lyrics as written by Liam Rory Clewlow Chris Batten
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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It would be hilariously weird if Rory was literally singing "How f*cking cute is our ignorance". lol