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.
Take the pill that makes you weaker
Take the pill that makes you sick
Take the pill or you’ll be sorry
Take this bloody pill and make it quick
Take the pill that kills your sex drive
Take the pill that makes you cry
Take the pill that burns your insides
Take the pill that makes you want to die
Be careful what you say…
Today could be your day…
You no longer rule your body
You no longer own those rights
You will wake up when we say so
You will sleep when we shut out the lights
Enjoy your stay…
‘Cause you can’t run away…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
You’ll be just fine…
Take the pill that keeps you quiet
Take the pill that keeps you blind
Take the pill that wipes your memory
Take the pill that’s fucking with your mind
That’s all you have to lose…
That’s funny…
Best that you’re not procreating
Best that you don’t multiply
Better still, let’s sterilize you
Take this pill, the Doctor’s standing by
Pull up your skirt…
And yes, it’s going to hurt…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
You’ll be just fine…
Don’t you wanna be sedated
Don’t you want to ease this pain
If the pills are not effective
Then we will electroshock your brain
We are not happy with your progress
You’re not yet considered “sane”
If these pills are not effective
We’ll electroshock your brain
Don’t even think of spitting out
We know your tricks, we’re on to you
We will check underneath your tongue
We know exactly what you’ll do
Your accusation are a joke
Your credibility is shot
Just keep your eyes down and your mouth shut
That’s the only choice you’ve got
So you’re a Doctor and I am just a crazy little girl…
Who would you believe?
Well he’s a Doctor and you are just a crazy fucking bitch…
Who would you believe?
We’ve filled your prescription, you’ll never run out again
We’ve filled your prescription, the drugs are your only friend
We’ve filled your prescription, you’ll never run out again
We’ve filled your prescription, the drugs are your only friend
Now, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take it, take it, take it, take it
Take it, take it, take it, take it
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow…
Take the pill that makes you sick
Take the pill or you’ll be sorry
Take this bloody pill and make it quick
Take the pill that kills your sex drive
Take the pill that makes you cry
Take the pill that burns your insides
Take the pill that makes you want to die
Be careful what you say…
Today could be your day…
You no longer rule your body
You no longer own those rights
You will wake up when we say so
You will sleep when we shut out the lights
Enjoy your stay…
‘Cause you can’t run away…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
You’ll be just fine…
Take the pill that keeps you quiet
Take the pill that keeps you blind
Take the pill that wipes your memory
Take the pill that’s fucking with your mind
That’s all you have to lose…
That’s funny…
Best that you’re not procreating
Best that you don’t multiply
Better still, let’s sterilize you
Take this pill, the Doctor’s standing by
Pull up your skirt…
And yes, it’s going to hurt…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
Get back in line, get back in line, get back in line…
You’ll be just fine…
Don’t you wanna be sedated
Don’t you want to ease this pain
If the pills are not effective
Then we will electroshock your brain
We are not happy with your progress
You’re not yet considered “sane”
If these pills are not effective
We’ll electroshock your brain
Don’t even think of spitting out
We know your tricks, we’re on to you
We will check underneath your tongue
We know exactly what you’ll do
Your accusation are a joke
Your credibility is shot
Just keep your eyes down and your mouth shut
That’s the only choice you’ve got
So you’re a Doctor and I am just a crazy little girl…
Who would you believe?
Well he’s a Doctor and you are just a crazy fucking bitch…
Who would you believe?
We’ve filled your prescription, you’ll never run out again
We’ve filled your prescription, the drugs are your only friend
We’ve filled your prescription, you’ll never run out again
We’ve filled your prescription, the drugs are your only friend
Now, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take the pill, take the pill, take the pill, take the pill
Take it, take it, take it, take it
Take it, take it, take it, take it
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow
Swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow…
Lyrics submitted by Immunetogloom
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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.
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"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Going off of "beebs1998" interpretation, I agree with it being part of the story. Emilie is surely in the Asylum now and makes herself known by 'stepping out of line' and not being submissive and taking the pills prescribed to her. The medical staff also uses the medication to manipulate the girls and abuse them.
The second half of the song, could be the effects of the pills and the realization of Emilie about the true nature of the asylum.
This song also casts a powerful message about the heavy reliance of medication in modern society.
To me this song is about Emilie's time in the Mental Hospital (I have not read the book so I dont know about everything, so sorry If I get thing wrong)
Its about how she was made to take medication she didnt want to, but it was forced upon her.
"You no longer rule your body You no longer own those rights You will wake up when we say so You will sleep when we shut out the lights Enjoy your stay… ‘Cause you can’t run away…"
This is saying how she felt she no longer controlled herself, it was the doctors. And how she was told what to do by them, they would tell her when she needs to get up and to sleep, and she couldnt get out.
Whenever she rebelled, she was told in some way to "Get back In line". As there she was expected to do what she was told.
"Take this pill, the Doctor’s standing by Pull up your skirt… And yes, it’s going to hurt…"
This I think is about when she was raped/abused by the doctors inside there.
"Well he’s a Doctor and you are just a crazy fucking bitch… Who would you believe?"
This also saying that no one would believe her over the doctors, as she was just a "crazy little girl" who was not to be believed...