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.
Tell us all again
What you think we should be
What the answers are
What it is we can't see
Tell us all again
How to do what you say
How to fall in line
How there's no other way
But oh, we all know
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Show us all again
That our hands are unclean
That we're unprepared
That you have what we need
Show us all again
'Cause we cannot be saved
Cause the end is near
Now there's no other way
And oh, you will know
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
There's no one else to blame
Guilty all the same
Guilty all the same
You're guilty all the same
Yeah, you already know what it is
Can y'all explain, what kind of land is this
When a man has plans of being rich
If he falls off his plans, he's wealthy?
Dirty money scheme, a clean split
Nonsense the same,
Even corporate hands are filthy
Talk team, they take the paper route
All they think about is bank accounts, assets and realty
Anybody's expense, no shame with a clear conscience
No regrets and guilt free, you claim that ain't the way that he built me
Smoke screen, before the flames
Know as soon as they're done what the deal be
Say it's time for things to change
We arrange that dope product we built cheap
Anything if it's more to gain
Dream, manipulated like artists, it's real deep
Until no more remains, but I'm still me
Like authentic hip-hop and rock, to pop and radio
You record companies kill me
Try to force me to strain it, no way
They got the gall to say "yo, how real can real be?"
You feel me? you will see, the greed will be to blame
Greedy for the fame, TV or a name
Media, the game, to me your all the same
You're guilty
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
Guilty all the same
Guilty all the same
Guilty all the same
What you think we should be
What the answers are
What it is we can't see
Tell us all again
How to do what you say
How to fall in line
How there's no other way
But oh, we all know
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Show us all again
That our hands are unclean
That we're unprepared
That you have what we need
Show us all again
'Cause we cannot be saved
Cause the end is near
Now there's no other way
And oh, you will know
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
There's no one else to blame
Guilty all the same
Guilty all the same
You're guilty all the same
Yeah, you already know what it is
Can y'all explain, what kind of land is this
When a man has plans of being rich
If he falls off his plans, he's wealthy?
Dirty money scheme, a clean split
Nonsense the same,
Even corporate hands are filthy
Talk team, they take the paper route
All they think about is bank accounts, assets and realty
Anybody's expense, no shame with a clear conscience
No regrets and guilt free, you claim that ain't the way that he built me
Smoke screen, before the flames
Know as soon as they're done what the deal be
Say it's time for things to change
We arrange that dope product we built cheap
Anything if it's more to gain
Dream, manipulated like artists, it's real deep
Until no more remains, but I'm still me
Like authentic hip-hop and rock, to pop and radio
You record companies kill me
Try to force me to strain it, no way
They got the gall to say "yo, how real can real be?"
You feel me? you will see, the greed will be to blame
Greedy for the fame, TV or a name
Media, the game, to me your all the same
You're guilty
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
You're guilty all the same
Too sick to be ashamed
You want to point your finger
But there's no one else to blame
Guilty all the same
Guilty all the same
Guilty all the same
Lyrics submitted by MusicFREAK20, edited by andrewkne
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I agree with THEHYBRIDPARTY, but I also think that there is more to it. That analysis completely left out this section of the song:
Show us all again That our hands are unclean That we're unprepared That you have what we need Show us all again 'Cause we cannot be saved Cause the end is near Now there's no other way And oh, you will know
Sounds like the classic religious leader that's actually just in it for the money and fame to me.
Also, there are at least a couple of mistakes in the transcription of the rap. For one, "Smoke screams" should definitely be "Smoke screens". It's difficult for me to understand that guy, but some of that doesn't make sense at all.