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.
[Dallas Green]
The time will come when we are all condemned for what we've done.
The time will come...
[Shad]
I say the time's begun
To pay for our crimes.
No time to run.
It's sundown;
These days are the final ones.
Looking dumbfounded,
Staring in the eye of a gun.
And we're all scared to die.
We all fear the pall.
We are all scared to cry:
We all fear our salt tears.
But why,
When we're living so miserable?
Can't get along.
Why's forgiving so difficult?
Why we live alone?
What we living for?
It's critical.
Someone give some hope
That's breath for our living souls.
Even if you're physical,
Can't breathe,
Stand up and lead.
Me and my band of brothers advance under siege.
Move towards the future;
The commander-in-chief.
Plant a flag on this soil,
Call it "Land of the Free."
Every day,
Both rich and poor
Wonder what we're living for.
[Dallas Green]
We're gonna live forever.
We're gonna live.
[Shad]
You never know how your legend's gonna grow later.
When we go, it's our ghosts that they're so afraid of.
I try to flow greater
'Cause most conscious soul food for thought's like tofu:
No flavour.
So when I roll through,
It's so smooth,
Like a pro skater
Or a boat cruise bringing change;
Toll booth.
Player, thought they told you I'm old school
Student of the game, let me show you
A whole new greater:
"All my single ladies,
Just a couple lines:
Love takes two people of one mind.
Here's one year if you're given six months,
Since you only live once,
This is double time.
Essentially,
Bring the energy or Busta Rhyme.
Soul doesn't die
Like Curtis on Touch the Sky."
[Dallas Green]
And when the smoke finally clears,
We're gonna rise above the ash.
We're gonna live,
We're gonna live forever.
[Shad]
Like this:
I can't sweat trying to make the coolest impression.
Trying to get power is a foolish obsession.
Why use talent as a tool for oppression?
A real king ain't gotta rule with a weapon, dawg.
What if we went to school for possession instead of jail?
They say to stop the crazy talk, Shad, we never will.
I guess I still believe love can never fail.
Cross eyes on heaven, looking crazy as hell.
Maybe I dwell too much on legacy;
Destiny,
Like I could ever read what's on the headstone ahead of me.
But in my head, I see we're carving the letters.
Every day that thought makes me work hard for the better.
The truth comes out, but it starts at the centre.
The heart of the matter
Is a matter of the heart.
The heart's made of matter
You can't measure
That matters beyond measure
Like light when it travels in the dark.
The time will come when we are all condemned for what we've done.
The time will come...
[Shad]
I say the time's begun
To pay for our crimes.
No time to run.
It's sundown;
These days are the final ones.
Looking dumbfounded,
Staring in the eye of a gun.
And we're all scared to die.
We all fear the pall.
We are all scared to cry:
We all fear our salt tears.
But why,
When we're living so miserable?
Can't get along.
Why's forgiving so difficult?
Why we live alone?
What we living for?
It's critical.
Someone give some hope
That's breath for our living souls.
Even if you're physical,
Can't breathe,
Stand up and lead.
Me and my band of brothers advance under siege.
Move towards the future;
The commander-in-chief.
Plant a flag on this soil,
Call it "Land of the Free."
Every day,
Both rich and poor
Wonder what we're living for.
[Dallas Green]
We're gonna live forever.
We're gonna live.
[Shad]
You never know how your legend's gonna grow later.
When we go, it's our ghosts that they're so afraid of.
I try to flow greater
'Cause most conscious soul food for thought's like tofu:
No flavour.
So when I roll through,
It's so smooth,
Like a pro skater
Or a boat cruise bringing change;
Toll booth.
Player, thought they told you I'm old school
Student of the game, let me show you
A whole new greater:
"All my single ladies,
Just a couple lines:
Love takes two people of one mind.
Here's one year if you're given six months,
Since you only live once,
This is double time.
Essentially,
Bring the energy or Busta Rhyme.
Soul doesn't die
Like Curtis on Touch the Sky."
[Dallas Green]
And when the smoke finally clears,
We're gonna rise above the ash.
We're gonna live,
We're gonna live forever.
[Shad]
Like this:
I can't sweat trying to make the coolest impression.
Trying to get power is a foolish obsession.
Why use talent as a tool for oppression?
A real king ain't gotta rule with a weapon, dawg.
What if we went to school for possession instead of jail?
They say to stop the crazy talk, Shad, we never will.
I guess I still believe love can never fail.
Cross eyes on heaven, looking crazy as hell.
Maybe I dwell too much on legacy;
Destiny,
Like I could ever read what's on the headstone ahead of me.
But in my head, I see we're carving the letters.
Every day that thought makes me work hard for the better.
The truth comes out, but it starts at the centre.
The heart of the matter
Is a matter of the heart.
The heart's made of matter
You can't measure
That matters beyond measure
Like light when it travels in the dark.
Lyrics submitted by CAKunited
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