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.
I crushed up ergot and made it a paste
I spread it on the dollar bills
Everyone who touched it caught the disease
For luscious bits of landfill
It sparked an epidemic of self hate
They wanted it so bad they could kill
Everyone believing everything ain't enough
Trampling bodies on the tread mill
Makin' money, all things shiny
(If you don't spend it, you are spent)
Bullet into gun
Barrel lips pout
Finger in the ring
Money into mouth
The first letter in Sydney is a dollar sign
The first symbol in London is a pound
The life ain't yours 'til you fuck it away
The dream ain't yours until it's burned to the ground
The city of beauty is built on the dead
Temple of wealth is built on the poor
Spend life just passing away
'til you get up off your belly and crawl
You are allowed to burn books, hope can rot
Dreams go up in flames, that's ok
We'll turn a blind eye if you burn a poor man
But if you burn your money... You're going to pay
Anger is a currency, acidically mad
Hatred is the new economy
I am the inspiration of every wicked woman
Viciously corrupt, greed is monogamy
All power, all truth, all knowing, all destroying, all dying... not caring
I spread it on the dollar bills
Everyone who touched it caught the disease
For luscious bits of landfill
It sparked an epidemic of self hate
They wanted it so bad they could kill
Everyone believing everything ain't enough
Trampling bodies on the tread mill
Makin' money, all things shiny
(If you don't spend it, you are spent)
Bullet into gun
Barrel lips pout
Finger in the ring
Money into mouth
The first letter in Sydney is a dollar sign
The first symbol in London is a pound
The life ain't yours 'til you fuck it away
The dream ain't yours until it's burned to the ground
The city of beauty is built on the dead
Temple of wealth is built on the poor
Spend life just passing away
'til you get up off your belly and crawl
You are allowed to burn books, hope can rot
Dreams go up in flames, that's ok
We'll turn a blind eye if you burn a poor man
But if you burn your money... You're going to pay
Anger is a currency, acidically mad
Hatred is the new economy
I am the inspiration of every wicked woman
Viciously corrupt, greed is monogamy
All power, all truth, all knowing, all destroying, all dying... not caring
Lyrics submitted by CocaineKittie
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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.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Is this song taking a huge dump on capitalism?