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.
Lying by the dying flame, drifting off to sleep
She drops the black leather journal she's been clutching tight
She's a bioengineer, hazard level four
She works the hot zone all the day
The demon seed smallpox weapons grade
Bought from Israeli intelligence, gone rogue for a price
Decode the genome right down to the DNA
You break the code and you just might save the day
A serpent rising, genetic weaponising
There's a portent of pure evil lying out there in the dark
The hand of terror stands poised to ride out on the wind
Can we counter this undeserved hatred
Through our science and our research and the wisdom of our age?
Or are we doomed to suffer at the hands
Of the Andromeda Strain?
Microscopic warfare - the demon will retreat
From breakthrough after breakthrough
Using her own rare blood type, the serum came to life
Time to publish and go clinical trial
But wait, a secret document sealed slipped through
A most insidious plot unfolds
Limited release to drive the need through the roof
The guaranteed supply secures the deal, it's been approved
Assuring the quarter and the year
A serpent rising, genetic weaponising
What kind of twisted mind turns terror into cash?
Sends the innocent to their death
You try to fight it but criminals united
Pharmaceutical injustice is a terror on its own
For want of power and love of the bottom line,
They'll unleash the Andromeda Strain
A serpent rising genetic weaponising
Script the sequence of the serum incorrectly to lead them on
Steal the formula, destroy the seed and run
Need to fight back this undeserved terror
Through our science and our research and the cunning of our ways
Or we're sure to suffer at the hands
(I'll disappear underground)
(Prepare to fight the next round)
The Andromeda Strain
She drops the black leather journal she's been clutching tight
She's a bioengineer, hazard level four
She works the hot zone all the day
The demon seed smallpox weapons grade
Bought from Israeli intelligence, gone rogue for a price
Decode the genome right down to the DNA
You break the code and you just might save the day
A serpent rising, genetic weaponising
There's a portent of pure evil lying out there in the dark
The hand of terror stands poised to ride out on the wind
Can we counter this undeserved hatred
Through our science and our research and the wisdom of our age?
Or are we doomed to suffer at the hands
Of the Andromeda Strain?
Microscopic warfare - the demon will retreat
From breakthrough after breakthrough
Using her own rare blood type, the serum came to life
Time to publish and go clinical trial
But wait, a secret document sealed slipped through
A most insidious plot unfolds
Limited release to drive the need through the roof
The guaranteed supply secures the deal, it's been approved
Assuring the quarter and the year
A serpent rising, genetic weaponising
What kind of twisted mind turns terror into cash?
Sends the innocent to their death
You try to fight it but criminals united
Pharmaceutical injustice is a terror on its own
For want of power and love of the bottom line,
They'll unleash the Andromeda Strain
A serpent rising genetic weaponising
Script the sequence of the serum incorrectly to lead them on
Steal the formula, destroy the seed and run
Need to fight back this undeserved terror
Through our science and our research and the cunning of our ways
Or we're sure to suffer at the hands
(I'll disappear underground)
(Prepare to fight the next round)
The Andromeda Strain
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Andromeda Strain Lyrics as written by Gary Wehrkamp Carl Cadden James
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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