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.
When you're born in the dirt the only way to grow is up
So we reach for the sun but it seems
Every rung that you climb is another crooked line
That you cross off the tally of your dreams
Don't step out of line kid, you learn it pretty fast
Every face has its place in the crowd
They'll give you all the answers, so you don't ask any questions
Then they'll march you with a smile into the ground
And we all go to heaven in a little row boat
So put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
The writing's on the wall, this ain't ever gonna stop
Put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
We'll fight until we die, this ain't ever gonna stop
This stray dog world, this sick sad place
Got a belly full of maggots and disease
Every apple here is rotten, every blessing is a curse
Every word is a lie you best believe
We take one step forward, then two steps back
In a race to the bottom of the barrel
They teach us how to fear
They teach us how to hate
Then they arm us and they march us off to hell
And it's left, left, left right left
So put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
The writing's on the wall, this ain't ever gonna stop
Put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
We'll fight until we die, this ain't ever gonna stop
This ain't ever gonna stop
Because they came for our minds
We said nothing
They came for our hopes
We said nothing
They came for our souls
And still we said nothing
Now they're coming for our lives
So what's it gonna take
So what's it gonna take
What's it gonna take
What's it gonna take
See how they run, see how they run
So put your hands up, put your hands up
If clawing for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
The writing's on the wall, this ain't ever gonna stop
Put your hands up, put your hands up
If clawing for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
We'll fight until we die, this ain't ever gonna stop
So we reach for the sun but it seems
Every rung that you climb is another crooked line
That you cross off the tally of your dreams
Don't step out of line kid, you learn it pretty fast
Every face has its place in the crowd
They'll give you all the answers, so you don't ask any questions
Then they'll march you with a smile into the ground
And we all go to heaven in a little row boat
So put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
The writing's on the wall, this ain't ever gonna stop
Put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
We'll fight until we die, this ain't ever gonna stop
This stray dog world, this sick sad place
Got a belly full of maggots and disease
Every apple here is rotten, every blessing is a curse
Every word is a lie you best believe
We take one step forward, then two steps back
In a race to the bottom of the barrel
They teach us how to fear
They teach us how to hate
Then they arm us and they march us off to hell
And it's left, left, left right left
So put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
The writing's on the wall, this ain't ever gonna stop
Put your hands up, put your hands up
If crawling for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
We'll fight until we die, this ain't ever gonna stop
This ain't ever gonna stop
Because they came for our minds
We said nothing
They came for our hopes
We said nothing
They came for our souls
And still we said nothing
Now they're coming for our lives
So what's it gonna take
So what's it gonna take
What's it gonna take
What's it gonna take
See how they run, see how they run
So put your hands up, put your hands up
If clawing for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
The writing's on the wall, this ain't ever gonna stop
Put your hands up, put your hands up
If clawing for the scraps won't ever be enough
Put your hands up, put your hands up
We'll fight until we die, this ain't ever gonna stop
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song is SO powerful the stomp and clap beat reminds me of "We Will Rock You" from Queen. This song is like auditory caffeine. When the guitar intercedes at 2:26 it makes me want to start throwing stuff in my room.
I think this song is one of those classic "rebellious" songs that musicians pump to get kids excited at shows. Though the basis of this song is to "break the cycle" I still think that we can get some merit out of it (not that the song is bad). The song describes how everyone just does what they're told and given lies to make them think that everything is "alright". The title "Writings On The Wall" comes from a story in the Bible. Basically meaning, a forewarning that bad will come. I think that Winston is trying say that we should instead think for ourselves and always question our motives. Its as if we are dumb sheep and are led by a shepherd of iniquity. Though the message of the song is a bit widespread among other artists, I think that this is a great song. The adrenaline, meaning, and intensity combined really gives this song a solid kick.
@Metalicious the guitar intercede in this song made you want to throw things around the room? what about vice grip?! I was THIS close to flipping the table the first time I heard vice grip!