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.
Wait 'til you're announced
We've not yet lost all our graces
The hounds will stay in chains
Look upon Your Greatness and She'll
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Call all the ladies out
They're in their finery
A hundred jewels on throats
A hundred jewels between teeth
Now bring my boys in
Their skin in craters like the moon
The moon we love like a brother
While he glows through the room
Dancin' around the lies we tell
Dancin' around big eyes as well, ah
Even the comatose
They don't dance and tell
We live in cities you'll never see on-screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things
Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams
And you know we're on each other's team
I'm kind of over gettin' told to throw my hands up in the air
So there
So all the cups got broke
Shards beneath our feet
But it wasn't my fault
And everyone's competing for a love they won't receive
'Cause what this palace wants is release
We live in cities you'll never see on-screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things
Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams
And you know we're on each other's team
I'm kind of over gettin' told to throw my hands up in the air
So there
I'm kind of older than I was when I reveled without a care
So there
We live in cities you'll never see on-screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things
Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams
And you know we're on each other's team
We're on each other's team
And you know we're on each other's team
We're on each other's team
And you know, and you know, and you know
We've not yet lost all our graces
The hounds will stay in chains
Look upon Your Greatness and She'll
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Send the call out, send the call out
Call all the ladies out
They're in their finery
A hundred jewels on throats
A hundred jewels between teeth
Now bring my boys in
Their skin in craters like the moon
The moon we love like a brother
While he glows through the room
Dancin' around the lies we tell
Dancin' around big eyes as well, ah
Even the comatose
They don't dance and tell
We live in cities you'll never see on-screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things
Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams
And you know we're on each other's team
I'm kind of over gettin' told to throw my hands up in the air
So there
So all the cups got broke
Shards beneath our feet
But it wasn't my fault
And everyone's competing for a love they won't receive
'Cause what this palace wants is release
We live in cities you'll never see on-screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things
Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams
And you know we're on each other's team
I'm kind of over gettin' told to throw my hands up in the air
So there
I'm kind of older than I was when I reveled without a care
So there
We live in cities you'll never see on-screen
Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things
Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams
And you know we're on each other's team
We're on each other's team
And you know we're on each other's team
We're on each other's team
And you know, and you know, and you know
Lyrics submitted by rosiepeverell, edited by Cailinm, Pooer, 12419076
Team Lyrics as written by Joel Little Ella Marija La Yelich O'connor
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Does this song remind anyone of the similar themes that the Hunger Games portrays? I think they are very similar in regards. This song not only references aspects of the Hunger Games, but also ideas of the Lord of the Flies and Survivor. Many relatable themes to poverty, disconnection, and having the most of what you have. It also shares in a similar relation to Lorde's other song, "Royals" in that she treasures a non-materialistic society.
First and foremost, I find this song reminiscent of the Hunger Games. The music video almost looks like a district and the lyrics imply disconnection, "We'll live in cities you'll never see onscreen." These are indicative of the various districts that are rarely seen on-screen and only noticeable once the yearly Hunger Games come. "Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things" represents the willingness of the districts to run their cities despite being in poverty.
There are also various references to the actual games. "Wait till you're announced, we've not yet lost all our graces" indicates the selection process to be put in the Hunger Games and the fight of death. "The hounds will stay in chains" represents the district resisting an uprising against the greater capitol, but could also mean the assembly line of teenagers from each district that are awaiting to be thrown in the Hunger Games.
"Everyone's competing for a love they won't receive" references the winners of the Hunger Games and how the winners only get food and recognition, but do not get a release from the tension caused by the capitol. "Shards beneath our feet" and "so the cups got broke" indicate the reaping and entering of the teenagers into the Hunger Games.
The title "Team" and the lyrics "We're on each other's team" can represent each district and/or the alliance of the districts to cause a rebellion and thwart the rich capitol.
Overall, I find the theme of this song to closely connect to the Hunger Games, but it also connects to Lord of The Flies and Survivor by the idea of disconnection and trying to survive. Also, the lines of "Call all the ladies out, they're in their finery" reminds me of contestants- this can be applied to the contestants that dress up for the Hunger Games or contestants in a game of Survivor. Either way, the indication is there and it is evident that people are treasured within each respective society.