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.
As innocence dies
All tranquility subsides
Running trepidation
Isolated now
Separating all ideas
Must escape but how
With no loss of pride
Terror emerges from inside
Screaming from within
Taste the smell of fear
Feeling in the air
Damnation drawing near
No beauty in this death
Encased forever
Powerless to resist
As life slips away, away
No cries of pity
No reason to repent
We have condemned the future
Life cheaply spent
Technology arise
There shall be no compromise
The stunned arrival
Followed by the blind
Helplessly now falling
Leaving life behind
All tranquility subsides
Running trepidation
Isolated now
Separating all ideas
Must escape but how
With no loss of pride
Terror emerges from inside
Screaming from within
Taste the smell of fear
Feeling in the air
Damnation drawing near
No beauty in this death
Encased forever
Powerless to resist
As life slips away, away
No cries of pity
No reason to repent
We have condemned the future
Life cheaply spent
Technology arise
There shall be no compromise
The stunned arrival
Followed by the blind
Helplessly now falling
Leaving life behind
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Tank (MK. I) Lyrics as written by Gavin Ward Barry Thomson
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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