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.
See all people in Afghanistan
Praying to the gods and living in the sand
Somebody's gonna have to set them free,
Nobody hears the call or command
But it's a long way to Harlem,
And a long stretch to the king of Siam
And if you don't have a penny,
Why should I give a damn?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am
See all the suckers in the handout line
Living on scraps and they don't have a dime
Waiting for endless charity devoid of any sense of posterity
Well there's no Great Depression and there's no Great Society
And only few go to heaven, all the rest are damned and free
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am
I'm just a soft-cover version of a much harder tale
A walking resemblance of ruts in the trail
Is it possible to divide your ideas and beliefs
Ideas and beliefs
Ideas and beliefs from the people that you don't like?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am
Praying to the gods and living in the sand
Somebody's gonna have to set them free,
Nobody hears the call or command
But it's a long way to Harlem,
And a long stretch to the king of Siam
And if you don't have a penny,
Why should I give a damn?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am
See all the suckers in the handout line
Living on scraps and they don't have a dime
Waiting for endless charity devoid of any sense of posterity
Well there's no Great Depression and there's no Great Society
And only few go to heaven, all the rest are damned and free
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am
I'm just a soft-cover version of a much harder tale
A walking resemblance of ruts in the trail
Is it possible to divide your ideas and beliefs
Ideas and beliefs
Ideas and beliefs from the people that you don't like?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am?
Ad Hominem.
You think you're better than I am
Lyrics submitted by BatteryLegion
Ad Hominem Lyrics as written by Greg Graffin Brett W. Gurewitz
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
Ad Hominem, Literally translated as "To the person" is an expression for an argument addressing, not the facts at hand but rather the character of the opposing party.
It is a method often employed by the fervently religious against secular progression in virtually any way, as religion generally has the monopoly on a "source of morality" i.e. a deity whom hands down clean cut rules and regulations. While, since the primary purpose is to appeal to basic human emotions, an Ad Hominem argument can appeal greatly to sway minds, upon further inspection it often neglects to give any real answer to the question at hand.
jtpow, That's a great example of ad hominem. One point of advice though. Don't blame someone of such a thing when you're doing it as well. We all do it. Even you. I find it very close minded to point out religios persons when there are millions of examples. How about every politician? You mommy and daddy. Your friends? I've been in the punk scene for many years and Bad Religion is my favorite band of all time. Does being religious make me less punk? NO! While you go along spouting out what your friends and bands say, I decided to think for myself and do what's best for me. But of course everybody knows what's best for you so you might be right. But remember, no Bad Religion song can make your life complete.
Well said. In perusing the comments on just a few of their songs, I'm a bit dismayed to see how many fans of BR don't seem to really get what the band is about. It seems many feel that every song is an attack on religion just because of the name of the band; in reality, even those BR songs that actually do criticize religion aren't so much critizing religion itself, so much as it's propensity for spawning dogmatic modes of thought. All ideologies can result in dogmamatic thinking, be they religious, political or even scientific, and thus why all are challenged in numerous BR songs.
While you have completely legitimate criticism, I think you are making a big mistake.<br /> Bad Religion asks us to consider EVERYTHING critically, the fact that EVERYONE uses ad hominim is merely proof that no one can be trusted at face value, even yourself. Consider, reflect, and reconsider. No Bad Religion song can make your life complete, to believe that it does is to take the content of what they say without critical thinking, which is the fundamental message.<br /> You can be religious and agree with Bad Religion's message, as long as you do so in a critical manner. So while you can believe in Jesus and believe in the fundamental message of love and peace, you need to be able to breakdown the biases that religions have pushed on the world because of their false teachings.
@manchez I'm struggling to understand that reasoning. Jtpow addressed the idea of religious people often turning to ad hominems to defend their beliefs as an example. Which is a very legitimate example. <br /> In turn you criticised him of using an ad hominem, when he never addressed anybody personally; but instead addressed the idea (which we have already established as not being an ad hominem.) <br /> You then said that everyone uses ad hominems including his mommy and daddy. Then you persisted to say that no bad religion song will make his life complete. <br /> This is litterally the definition of irony. Instead of addressing the issue at hand, ---which was that you thought it was unfair that he used religion as his sole example; you attacked him by calling him close minded. <br />
argument arising from or appealing to the emotions and not reason or logic *attacking an opponent's motives or character rather than the policy or position they maintain
latin is hard and concise.
Like others said, "Ad Hominem" attacks are when you attack the person, not what he or she is saying. You pay no attention to the facts, you just attack the other person.
"Is it possible to divide your ideas and beliefs from the people you don't like?" is the point of the song. If you don't like what a person has to say, you should criticize what the person says with your own facts. Don't just attack the other person.
"You must not be dedicated to your religion. You like the punk band Bad Religion" - Ad Hominem.