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.
You're uncle had an old saying:
"If you don't vote then you can't complain"
Sizing up candidates first election day
You thought "I'm a teen and have no opinion either way"
You had a lot of friends but no peers
Could you imagine this could drag on four more years
If one day you had more peers then friends
It's because your means had caught up with you ends
Jaws are wagging "the one or the two"
Eager to put John Hancock on the who's who
Voting seemed almost like a disease
An absolute a day if you're feeling ill at ease
Thought about becoming a cop
Any job with a helmet in case of a drop
You did what anyone else would do in your place
You toyed with the idea of entering the race
Instead of living in your own filth
You had the nerve to think crop could spring from your tilth
You were called "Diva" by a protective young man
They still call you every name they can
It must be hard sometimes not to complain
But that's the deal your Uncle once explained
Not choosing was accepted as a trade
Not voting would be the smartest choice you made
Don't vote
"If you don't vote then you can't complain"
Sizing up candidates first election day
You thought "I'm a teen and have no opinion either way"
You had a lot of friends but no peers
Could you imagine this could drag on four more years
If one day you had more peers then friends
It's because your means had caught up with you ends
Jaws are wagging "the one or the two"
Eager to put John Hancock on the who's who
Voting seemed almost like a disease
An absolute a day if you're feeling ill at ease
Thought about becoming a cop
Any job with a helmet in case of a drop
You did what anyone else would do in your place
You toyed with the idea of entering the race
Instead of living in your own filth
You had the nerve to think crop could spring from your tilth
You were called "Diva" by a protective young man
They still call you every name they can
It must be hard sometimes not to complain
But that's the deal your Uncle once explained
Not choosing was accepted as a trade
Not voting would be the smartest choice you made
Don't vote
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i think this song must be about someone he knew. there are some parts, such as "Any job with a helmet in case of a drop" (which seems to be a reference to epilepsy) that characterize the person as if it was a real person he knew. anyway, the song is obviously about someone who didn't care enough to make a difference or change in society, and just floated through life without opinions. they weren't satisfied with the way things were, but they didn't know how to or care enough to contribute to a change.
It is very clear DONT VOTE
think you've missed the point with this song. <br /> <br /> can never truly tell what a song means unless you ask the artist. but the way i take this song is that he's singing from the perspective of someone who's looking back on their life and they have realised that theve made no contribution to society and that he's lost out on certain things like having friends and having a meaningful job. but at the same time he can say that he's not responsible for any failures in society and his life. becuase he's never took a chance and tried to live.