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.
CHORUS (x1)
Time is short and my life is sick
That's how it is man look at this shit
You get abused by street platoons
Hit you like wind and what-cha gonna do?
We break circles of enemies blocks get shot with defeat
They say no drive-by's on the street
So mutha-fuckas run rival sweeps
Sick platoons flood the streets of Los
Like a sick typhoon
Mutha-fuckas drive by world wide
And everybody you and I know dies
The only guarantee in life is death your last breath
Come when your famo least expect it
Soldier run wild in your song
Red dawn strikes your back in dead 'nam
Your mind's flipping but the scene's dead calm
And your whole world's thrown and wrapped in psyclone
Alright ride through the city like that
Pants, T-shirts are creased and stole gats
LA undercover shoot to kill
Child of the streets run wild in war fields
Scheming on pigs that start shit
Guilty treat us all dirty filthy
The streets are flooded with budded corrupted minds running
Those who can't cut it
Leave the hoodlum studded ghetto wondering what is
The excuse or reason for high treason
In blasting season leaving one of your color bleeding
Repeating never stopping body dropping
'Hood rocking window glocking zone shocking
Defending pavement attacking, facing arraignment
Jail's enslavement shackled for justice to the plaintiff
When the charges stick that's it you get hit with some bid
For what you did prevent and rid some kid of his chance to live
'Cause of the block he lives in
Not giving a fuck just trying to win your block ribbon
Glock driven joining street platoons like it's some fashion
Going out of style so you catch it for some action
It's no joke homeboys get smoked, poked, 'cause they provoke
Locked on dope no hope for growth that's why we're broke
Short pocket street criminals fail to lock it but crime sky rockets
So where the fuck is the profit?
Maybe in hands of those who supply drugs and weapons
Let's take that shit back by forming neighborhood connections
CHORUS (x1)
Time is short and my life is sick
That's how it is man look at this shit
You get abused by street platoons
Hit you like wind and what-cha gonna do?
We break circles of enemies blocks get shot with defeat
They say no drive-by's on the street
So mutha-fuckas run rival sweeps
Sick platoons flood the streets of Los
Like a sick typhoon
Mutha-fuckas drive by world wide
And everybody you and I know dies
The only guarantee in life is death your last breath
Come when your famo least expect it
Soldier run wild in your song
Red dawn strikes your back in dead 'nam
Your mind's flipping but the scene's dead calm
And your whole world's thrown and wrapped in psyclone
Alright ride through the city like that
Pants, T-shirts are creased and stole gats
LA undercover shoot to kill
Child of the streets run wild in war fields
Scheming on pigs that start shit
Guilty treat us all dirty filthy
The streets are flooded with budded corrupted minds running
Those who can't cut it
Leave the hoodlum studded ghetto wondering what is
The excuse or reason for high treason
In blasting season leaving one of your color bleeding
Repeating never stopping body dropping
'Hood rocking window glocking zone shocking
Defending pavement attacking, facing arraignment
Jail's enslavement shackled for justice to the plaintiff
When the charges stick that's it you get hit with some bid
For what you did prevent and rid some kid of his chance to live
'Cause of the block he lives in
Not giving a fuck just trying to win your block ribbon
Glock driven joining street platoons like it's some fashion
Going out of style so you catch it for some action
It's no joke homeboys get smoked, poked, 'cause they provoke
Locked on dope no hope for growth that's why we're broke
Short pocket street criminals fail to lock it but crime sky rockets
So where the fuck is the profit?
Maybe in hands of those who supply drugs and weapons
Let's take that shit back by forming neighborhood connections
CHORUS (x1)
Lyrics submitted by ACEofLONELYHEARTS
Street Platoons Lyrics as written by Jack Gonzalez Gustavo Gonzalez
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/