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.
If I represent the one that did this to you
Then can away the part that represents the thing that scarred you
I say, get up, stand up, get up, stand up, get on it
Yes sir, I am no longer who you thought this one would be
We end up around the mountain that I climb to lose you
I said, I said give me the business that business could work through
I say, ask me but all my wisdom departed
Tell me but all my wisdom departed but
Help please at least answer me this
Answer me, answer me
What's the business, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
From a distance, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm a victim, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm addicted, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
If you just press your fingers down under my skin (Go on and do it, go on and do it)
Lift up, dig up, lift up, dig up and bleed for me, and bleed for me
I say, I'll bleed if you ask me
I'll bleed if you ask me
That's when, that's when, he said no
What's the business, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
From a distance, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm a victim, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm addicted, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm addicted, yeah
From a distance, yeah
I'm a victim, yeah
What's the business, yeah
I'm addicted, yeah (Don't take my life away, don't take my life away)
What's the business, yeah
I'm addicted, yeah
From a distance, yeah
I'm a victim, yeah
What's the business, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
Then can away the part that represents the thing that scarred you
I say, get up, stand up, get up, stand up, get on it
Yes sir, I am no longer who you thought this one would be
We end up around the mountain that I climb to lose you
I said, I said give me the business that business could work through
I say, ask me but all my wisdom departed
Tell me but all my wisdom departed but
Help please at least answer me this
Answer me, answer me
What's the business, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
From a distance, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm a victim, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm addicted, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
If you just press your fingers down under my skin (Go on and do it, go on and do it)
Lift up, dig up, lift up, dig up and bleed for me, and bleed for me
I say, I'll bleed if you ask me
I'll bleed if you ask me
That's when, that's when, he said no
What's the business, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
From a distance, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm a victim, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm addicted, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
I'm addicted, yeah
From a distance, yeah
I'm a victim, yeah
What's the business, yeah
I'm addicted, yeah (Don't take my life away, don't take my life away)
What's the business, yeah
I'm addicted, yeah
From a distance, yeah
I'm a victim, yeah
What's the business, yeah
Don't take my life away, don't take my life away
Lyrics submitted by j0nnynoname
Bizness Lyrics as written by Nathaniel J Brenner Merrill Martin Garbus
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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I think this song is about the music business. She's asking the music companies "What's the bizness?" or "What kind of deal are we going to work out here?" She's "keeping her distance" and refuses to allow her life to be "taken away."
In the beginning lyrics she's addressing the audience. "If I represent the one who did this to you, then can away the part that represents the thing that did this to you." She's saying that if she takes a position of leadership... if she takes on the representation of "the man" in the music industry (who has confined the airways and scarred our musical culture) then she can help to liberate the music business from it's current confinements with her unique sound. But she asks the audience to "Get up, Stand Up, Get UP, STAND UP, GET ON IT." She knows she can't do it alone. She wants to use the music bizness to activate people.