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.
Paranoia is in bloom
The PR transmissions will resume
They'll try to push drugs that keep us all dumbed down
And hope that we will never see the truth around
(So come on)
Another promise, another seed
Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed
And all the green belts wrapped around our minds
And endless red tape to keep the truth confined
(So come on)
They will not force us
And they will stop degrading us
And they will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)
Interchanging mind control
Come let the revolution take its toll
If you could flick a switch and open your third eye
You'd see that we should never be afraid to die
(So come on)
Rise up and take the power back
It's time the fat cats had a heart attack
You know that their time is coming to an end
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend
(So come on)
They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
The PR transmissions will resume
They'll try to push drugs that keep us all dumbed down
And hope that we will never see the truth around
(So come on)
Another promise, another seed
Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed
And all the green belts wrapped around our minds
And endless red tape to keep the truth confined
(So come on)
They will not force us
And they will stop degrading us
And they will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)
Interchanging mind control
Come let the revolution take its toll
If you could flick a switch and open your third eye
You'd see that we should never be afraid to die
(So come on)
Rise up and take the power back
It's time the fat cats had a heart attack
You know that their time is coming to an end
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend
(So come on)
They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
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Great version of a great song,
This is a really good song, and I love the parallels you can draw to modern society with this.
But to be slightly cynical, I can't help but think of a line by another band here:
"Music of rebellion makes you wanna rage, but it's made by millionaires who are nearly twice your age."
Anyway, it's a good song. I don't mean to put it down, just wondered if anyone else thought the same.
Yes, my cynical brain thought the same thing. Your comment also made me find "Porcupine Tree - The Sound Of Muzak", good song, thanks! :)<br /> <br /> However, I'm trying to think like this. Maybe the reason why those millionaires who are nearly twice my age, are in fact millionaires, is because they didn't let anyone control them when they were my age. What do you think of that?