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.
I am an enemy of everything
My life is not for sale
My heart is in this fight forever
What can you take from me?
When there's not a single fucking day
I haven't fought to stay alive?
We're finding hope in the hopeless
I am still their voice that gets stuck in your head
I am me and I have come to fucking scare you to death
Because that's what you deserve you disgusting piece of shit
I know the only words that you have for me
Are give up and get out
You'd like to think that we've been beaten
But we're here to stay
Forever and always
Every single day
Not giving up, living up all my dreams
So go ahead and look like I'm inferior
Condescension, Suffering, Callousness and Loathing
Are the badges I have earned for my cause
And I am finding hope within hatred
A reason to persist, to push past everything
We are here
And we have come to scare you to death
Because that's what you deserve
You fucking fake ass hypocrites
I know the only words that you have for me
Are give up and get out
You'd like to think that we've been beaten
But we're here to stay
Forever and always
So loud, we are the ones that you pushed away
For drowning your voice out
You'd like to think
We've been defeated, but we're here to stay
Forever and always
We've been through everything
And we all have our scars
We may be broken but you
Can't kill all of us! Go!
Think before you fucking speak
I am no villain, think before you fucking speak
People fear what they don't understand
And so now beauty has become the fucking beast
(Maybe you didn't hear me?)
I said go fuck yourself!
I know the only words that you have for me
Are give up and get out
You'd like to think
That we've been beaten but we're here to stay
Forever and always
So loud
We are the ones that you pushed away
For drowning your voice out
You'd like to think
We've been defeated, but we're here to stay
Forever and always
My life is not for sale
My heart is in this fight forever
What can you take from me?
When there's not a single fucking day
I haven't fought to stay alive?
We're finding hope in the hopeless
I am still their voice that gets stuck in your head
I am me and I have come to fucking scare you to death
Because that's what you deserve you disgusting piece of shit
I know the only words that you have for me
Are give up and get out
You'd like to think that we've been beaten
But we're here to stay
Forever and always
Every single day
Not giving up, living up all my dreams
So go ahead and look like I'm inferior
Condescension, Suffering, Callousness and Loathing
Are the badges I have earned for my cause
And I am finding hope within hatred
A reason to persist, to push past everything
We are here
And we have come to scare you to death
Because that's what you deserve
You fucking fake ass hypocrites
I know the only words that you have for me
Are give up and get out
You'd like to think that we've been beaten
But we're here to stay
Forever and always
So loud, we are the ones that you pushed away
For drowning your voice out
You'd like to think
We've been defeated, but we're here to stay
Forever and always
We've been through everything
And we all have our scars
We may be broken but you
Can't kill all of us! Go!
Think before you fucking speak
I am no villain, think before you fucking speak
People fear what they don't understand
And so now beauty has become the fucking beast
(Maybe you didn't hear me?)
I said go fuck yourself!
I know the only words that you have for me
Are give up and get out
You'd like to think
That we've been beaten but we're here to stay
Forever and always
So loud
We are the ones that you pushed away
For drowning your voice out
You'd like to think
We've been defeated, but we're here to stay
Forever and always
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Sounds like he is talking about people putting down and criticizing this genre of music because they dont understand it. He also implies that it gives people a sense of "hope" and the music video show people opening up there eyes to it.