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.
who are you?
common dust,
winds and calms,
can't you hear that they came to us?
oh my god,
giving up,
washed out and folded
and goal is to know where we are
when the season ends
and the winter comes
breaking backs to them
is all we really are
to the common truth
or the common use
when the pitch comes in
then the warning comes
this is a business
come on make a difference
show us your instant
money making engine
we have the money
and the people's trust
we don't really need you
but you need us
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
this is the only way of life
who are you?
Scared to trust?
Throwing bones
at the stones, what you're mad about?
no idea,
indubious,
going in for the kill
when you do think of us
when the season ends
and the winter comes
make elastic bands
all really long
to the common truth
or the common use
when the pitch comes in
then the warning comes
this is a business
come on make a difference
show us your instant
money making engine
get up and believe
you got to perceive you
takes someone to lead
you got to agree too
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
come on make a difference
show us your instant
money making engine
we have the money
and the people's trust
we don't really need you
but you need us
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
this is the only way of life
common dust,
winds and calms,
can't you hear that they came to us?
oh my god,
giving up,
washed out and folded
and goal is to know where we are
when the season ends
and the winter comes
breaking backs to them
is all we really are
to the common truth
or the common use
when the pitch comes in
then the warning comes
this is a business
come on make a difference
show us your instant
money making engine
we have the money
and the people's trust
we don't really need you
but you need us
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
this is the only way of life
who are you?
Scared to trust?
Throwing bones
at the stones, what you're mad about?
no idea,
indubious,
going in for the kill
when you do think of us
when the season ends
and the winter comes
make elastic bands
all really long
to the common truth
or the common use
when the pitch comes in
then the warning comes
this is a business
come on make a difference
show us your instant
money making engine
get up and believe
you got to perceive you
takes someone to lead
you got to agree too
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
come on make a difference
show us your instant
money making engine
we have the money
and the people's trust
we don't really need you
but you need us
this is a business
this is the only way of life
this is a business
this is the only way of life
Lyrics submitted by The Nerdy Bandit
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
I know these lyrics aren't right, but i figured i'd take a stab and then everyone, can post some corrections, since they are no where to be found.. c'mon people help me out here
i think it's "show us your instinct" instead of "show us your instant".
This is a hard song to figure out, but you have much of the lyrics here. I am working on it myself!
OK, I am ready to help now: Who on Earth? Common dust, Wind and calms, can't you hear that they came to us? Who on Earth? Given up, washed out and folded, and goal is they know we are here.
When the season ends, and the wind it comes, make elastic bend, all really long.
my next changes to your words would be: Who on Earth? Scared to trust? Throwing bones at the stones, what you're mad about? Who on Earth? Dubious?
And I keep thinking the words might be 'wind it comes' or 'when it comes' instead of 'wind and calms' but I dunno about that. Cheers to all fans of this band & this song in particular, they are bloody amazing :-)
Also, I'm thinking, he might be singing 'money making engine' instead of 'body make an engine'.
Yes he's DEF saying 'show us your instant money making engine'. I'm sure of that line.
sorry just now made those changes... its been over a year, still cant figure it out to be sure.. i guess it doesnt really matter too much, if you can still rock out to it and enjoy it, who really cares if other people hear different things as long as they like the music
Heh, it seems like we all have very different interpretations of this song, and for a while I was very confident about what I heard (but now I have my doubts). Here are the differences I hear though
**who are you? (pronounced ya -) also this line is the same throughout the song common dust. ...
who are you giving up? (pronounced givin' up)
when the season ends and the winter comes breaking backs to them **is all we really are
**who are you scared to trust?
**who are you? dubious
Also you still have one instance of "body making engine" in the second to last chorus even though it sounds different, I'm pretty sure he still says "money making engine"
its about the music industry.