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.
Head high, protest line
"Freedom" scribbled on your sign
Headline, New York Times
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Hey, hey, just obey
Your secret's safe with the NSA
In God we trust or the CIA?
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Yeah, we're standing on the edge of a revolution
Revolution, revolution, revolution
No, we won't give up, we won't go away
'Cause we're not about to live in this mass delusion
No, we don't wanna hear another word you say
'Cause we know they're all depending on mass confusion
No, we can't turn back, we can't turn away
'Cause it's time we all relied on the last solution
No, we won't lay down and accept this fate
'Cause we're standing on the edge of a revolution
Wall Street, common thief
When they get caught they all go free
A brand new yacht and a finders fee
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Same shit, different day
Can't keep fed if I can't get paid
We'll all be dead if the shit don't change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Yeah, we're standing on the edge of a revolution
Revolution, revolution, revolution
No, we won't give up, we won't go away
'Cause we're not about to live in this mass delusion
No, we don't wanna hear another word you say
'Cause we know they're all depending on mass confusion
No, we can't turn back, we can't turn away
'Cause it's time we all relied on the last solution
No, we won't lay down and accept this fate
'Cause we're standing on the edge of a revolution
We'll all be dead if this shit don't change
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
What do we want? We want the change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
What do we want? We want change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
No, we won't give up, we won't go away
'Cause we're not about to live in this mass delusion
No, we don't wanna hear another word you say
'Cause we know they're all depending on mass confusion
No, we can't turn back, we can't turn away
'Cause it's time we all relied on the last solution
No, we won't lay down and accept this fate
'Cause we're standing on the edge of a revolution
What do we want? We want change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
What do we want? We want change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
"Freedom" scribbled on your sign
Headline, New York Times
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Hey, hey, just obey
Your secret's safe with the NSA
In God we trust or the CIA?
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Yeah, we're standing on the edge of a revolution
Revolution, revolution, revolution
No, we won't give up, we won't go away
'Cause we're not about to live in this mass delusion
No, we don't wanna hear another word you say
'Cause we know they're all depending on mass confusion
No, we can't turn back, we can't turn away
'Cause it's time we all relied on the last solution
No, we won't lay down and accept this fate
'Cause we're standing on the edge of a revolution
Wall Street, common thief
When they get caught they all go free
A brand new yacht and a finders fee
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Same shit, different day
Can't keep fed if I can't get paid
We'll all be dead if the shit don't change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
Yeah, we're standing on the edge of a revolution
Revolution, revolution, revolution
No, we won't give up, we won't go away
'Cause we're not about to live in this mass delusion
No, we don't wanna hear another word you say
'Cause we know they're all depending on mass confusion
No, we can't turn back, we can't turn away
'Cause it's time we all relied on the last solution
No, we won't lay down and accept this fate
'Cause we're standing on the edge of a revolution
We'll all be dead if this shit don't change
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
What do we want? We want the change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
What do we want? We want change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
No, we won't give up, we won't go away
'Cause we're not about to live in this mass delusion
No, we don't wanna hear another word you say
'Cause we know they're all depending on mass confusion
No, we can't turn back, we can't turn away
'Cause it's time we all relied on the last solution
No, we won't lay down and accept this fate
'Cause we're standing on the edge of a revolution
What do we want? We want change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
What do we want? We want change
And how're we gonna get there? Revolution
What do we want? We want the change
Standing on the edge of a revolution
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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To me it sounds like a big middle finger to the people who despise Nickelback. They're saying whether you love us or hate it we're here to stay. Especially in the first few lines of the chorus. Good song and I'm glad they're here to stay! \m/
@STP1992 I am really glad as well!! I like Nickelback a lot!! I like their old stuff, their pop stuff, their heavy stuff, and their new stuff! I like it all!! I really don't understand how people do like this band! Seems like my best friend, my brother, my dad, and I are the only ones to like Nickelback! Of course that isn't true, they have to have other fans as well, but I hope you get it! <br /> <br /> I actually never thought that this song could be about the anti-fans, never thought about that until now! The nice thing about music is, what ever meaning someone puts on it is right!!! I always kind of thought about the US Gov. And we CAN both be right!!! Thanks for being a fan of Nickelback! lol!!