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.
There was a high pressure low developing off the coast of Africa,
Uplift in the atmosphere pushed waves
Across the ocean towards Antilles and Bon Air.
I paced in Agitation. I drew the curtains closed.
I turned the air conditioner on.
I pressed a warm wash cloth to my face.
Somewhere out there a hurricane was coming.
There's just no future left for us to dream of,
Living in an era of instability.
So caught up in the culture of their rivals,
Fear breeds in honest men.
It's a high pressure low.
7 missiles flying over the sea of japan.
Tales of feral children sleeping in wolf dens.
And the pious preacher commands.
I hold my breath in anticipation.
Into the shelter of the jungle noble savages run.
Vestal virgins triumph over life long inhibitions.
And I wonder, what is real? What is fiction?
There's just no future left for us to dream of,
Living in an era of instability.
So caught up in the culture of their rivals,
Fear breeds in honest men.
It's a high pressure low.
Would anyone forgive Robert McNamara?
In retrospect he had to admit;
There was mistake in going to war without first asking all the questions.
Yes, Robert Strange McNamara,
There are those who just cannot forget.
And I wonder, have I lost my own compassion?
There's just no future left for us to dream of,
Living in an era of instability.
So caught up in the culture of their rivals,
Fear breeds in honest men.
It's a high pressure low.
Uplift in the atmosphere pushed waves
Across the ocean towards Antilles and Bon Air.
I paced in Agitation. I drew the curtains closed.
I turned the air conditioner on.
I pressed a warm wash cloth to my face.
Somewhere out there a hurricane was coming.
There's just no future left for us to dream of,
Living in an era of instability.
So caught up in the culture of their rivals,
Fear breeds in honest men.
It's a high pressure low.
7 missiles flying over the sea of japan.
Tales of feral children sleeping in wolf dens.
And the pious preacher commands.
I hold my breath in anticipation.
Into the shelter of the jungle noble savages run.
Vestal virgins triumph over life long inhibitions.
And I wonder, what is real? What is fiction?
There's just no future left for us to dream of,
Living in an era of instability.
So caught up in the culture of their rivals,
Fear breeds in honest men.
It's a high pressure low.
Would anyone forgive Robert McNamara?
In retrospect he had to admit;
There was mistake in going to war without first asking all the questions.
Yes, Robert Strange McNamara,
There are those who just cannot forget.
And I wonder, have I lost my own compassion?
There's just no future left for us to dream of,
Living in an era of instability.
So caught up in the culture of their rivals,
Fear breeds in honest men.
It's a high pressure low.
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I think these parts are about...
"Seven missiles flying over the sea of Japan" NK doing long range missle testing.
"Would anyone forgive Robert McNamara" Vietnam War and the decisions Robert McNamara made while he was the Secretary of Defense.