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.
All our needs put together
Don't bleed on their own
You paid for an eyeful
So behold the bull
Why can't I look up, (out in the clearing)
Tell me what's there below, (end over end)
While he's safe for the moment, (guess what he's learning)
He's never safe from the crowd, come one
So hats off to the bull
No giving up
(Either way, it makes ya mad)
(Well some of us)
Hats off to the bull, keep giving all
(What ya say we make amends)
To be monumental
Could mean the beyond
The simpler the treasure
Means the higher the cost
Well as for the ending, damn right I'm learning
You might ask for the door, end over end
Well I hate how the clouds hide
The gasps from above
So hats off to the bull
No giving up
(Either way, it makes ya mad)
(Well some of us)
Hats off to the bull, keep giving all
(What ya say we make amends)
Find your challenge, suffer miles
Colors gray, he brings them out
Don't mind the challenge, suffer miles
A little shallow, if I don't say
Hats off to the bull
His time ain't up
(Bitter hell in the lion's den)
For some of us
Hats off to the bull
The sun won't set
(Till the pain and the final breath)
So hats off to the bull
No giving up
(Either way, it makes ya mad)
(Well some of us)
Hats off to the bull, keep giving all
(What ya say we make amends)
Hats off to the bull
No giving up
Hats off to the bull
Keep giving up
Hats off to the bull
No giving up
Hats off to the bull
Don't bleed on their own
You paid for an eyeful
So behold the bull
Why can't I look up, (out in the clearing)
Tell me what's there below, (end over end)
While he's safe for the moment, (guess what he's learning)
He's never safe from the crowd, come one
So hats off to the bull
No giving up
(Either way, it makes ya mad)
(Well some of us)
Hats off to the bull, keep giving all
(What ya say we make amends)
To be monumental
Could mean the beyond
The simpler the treasure
Means the higher the cost
Well as for the ending, damn right I'm learning
You might ask for the door, end over end
Well I hate how the clouds hide
The gasps from above
So hats off to the bull
No giving up
(Either way, it makes ya mad)
(Well some of us)
Hats off to the bull, keep giving all
(What ya say we make amends)
Find your challenge, suffer miles
Colors gray, he brings them out
Don't mind the challenge, suffer miles
A little shallow, if I don't say
Hats off to the bull
His time ain't up
(Bitter hell in the lion's den)
For some of us
Hats off to the bull
The sun won't set
(Till the pain and the final breath)
So hats off to the bull
No giving up
(Either way, it makes ya mad)
(Well some of us)
Hats off to the bull, keep giving all
(What ya say we make amends)
Hats off to the bull
No giving up
Hats off to the bull
Keep giving up
Hats off to the bull
No giving up
Hats off to the bull
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I believe this song is about politics, the economy and social implications of the recession.
So hats off to the bull No giving up (Either way, it makes ya mad) (Well some of us)
in my opinion this may be a metaphor for the bull market "no giving up" is one side the side of the occupy protesters saying they lost the battle but there is no giving up... "so hats off to the bull" is the other point of view of the financial elite congratulating them on their victory of getting more wealth and power.(Either way, it makes ya mad) (Well some of us) refers to those who sit on the sidelines and can see this happening and can do nothing about it.
just my interpretation