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.
I've heard enough
No more, no more
You've had your time in the sun
Keep your head down kid, your fifteen seconds are done
I know it hurts, I wanted it this way
All these years, I'm still the voice you can't destroy
I know how this one ends
Lying in the gutter spitting teeth at the sidewalk
I know how this one ends
So bite your tongue if you can't tame it
Let's get this straight, while you're listening
In my world you count for nothing
Bow you'll be the one to
Drown, with the rats and the snakes
Bow, you'll be the one to drown
Bottom feeder
Bottom feeder
Bottom feeder
Bottom feeder
I've heard enough
I've heard enough to know
Who talks the talk, who walks the walk
And who's for fucking show
I know it hurts, I know it cuts
That I'm still standing
I'm everything you're fucking not
I know how this one ends
Running from the world as your lies begin to cave
I know how this one ends
Your hollow words make shallow graves
Let's get this straight, while you're listening
In my world you count for nothing
Let's get this straight, while you're listening
In my world you count for nothing
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown, with the rats and the snakes
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown
Bottom feeder
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown, with the rats and the snakes
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown
Bottom feeder
I see I feel no guilt, like I feel no pain
Like I feel the fire running through my veins
You can't draw blood when my heart beats cold
I can take your word like I take your name
An ego lost in the valley of self disdain
Pride cometh before the fall
And you'll break as I watch it all collapse
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape this beast
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape this beast
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape this beast
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape now snap your neck to this
You snap your neck to this
No mercy, no peace, you fucking bottom feeder
No mercy, no peace, you fucking bottom feeder
Fuck
No more, no more
You've had your time in the sun
Keep your head down kid, your fifteen seconds are done
I know it hurts, I wanted it this way
All these years, I'm still the voice you can't destroy
I know how this one ends
Lying in the gutter spitting teeth at the sidewalk
I know how this one ends
So bite your tongue if you can't tame it
Let's get this straight, while you're listening
In my world you count for nothing
Bow you'll be the one to
Drown, with the rats and the snakes
Bow, you'll be the one to drown
Bottom feeder
Bottom feeder
Bottom feeder
Bottom feeder
I've heard enough
I've heard enough to know
Who talks the talk, who walks the walk
And who's for fucking show
I know it hurts, I know it cuts
That I'm still standing
I'm everything you're fucking not
I know how this one ends
Running from the world as your lies begin to cave
I know how this one ends
Your hollow words make shallow graves
Let's get this straight, while you're listening
In my world you count for nothing
Let's get this straight, while you're listening
In my world you count for nothing
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown, with the rats and the snakes
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown
Bottom feeder
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown, with the rats and the snakes
Bow, you'll be the one to
Drown
Bottom feeder
I see I feel no guilt, like I feel no pain
Like I feel the fire running through my veins
You can't draw blood when my heart beats cold
I can take your word like I take your name
An ego lost in the valley of self disdain
Pride cometh before the fall
And you'll break as I watch it all collapse
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape this beast
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape this beast
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape this beast
No mercy, no peace, you can't escape now snap your neck to this
You snap your neck to this
No mercy, no peace, you fucking bottom feeder
No mercy, no peace, you fucking bottom feeder
Fuck
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I can't believe this song is not more popular. It is easily one of the heaviest on this album by far in my opinion.
I think this song is about pride or prideful people in general. Quotes like,
"You've had your time in the sun. Keep your head down kid, your fifteen seconds are done"
"Who talks the talk, who walks the walk and who's for fucking show"
"Pride cometh before the fall"
all seem to point to this idea. The accuser (Winston) points out their flaws and compares them to filth.
"I know how this one ends"
"Let's get this straight, while you're listening, in my world you count for nothing"
"I'll take your word like I take your name"(Bottom Feeder a.k.a. low life)
He then concludes saying that they should perish.
"You snap your neck to this. No mercy, no peace, you fucking bottom feeder".
I think it is also important to point out that throughout the song, the accuser also states that the prideful sew there own demise. "I know how this one ends". Almost as if the he knew all along that the prideful would eventually shoot themselves in foot and/or be beaten.
Over all, I think this song is really intense. The accuser (Winston) is extremely irritated and angry. The fact that the rhythm gets heavier as the song progresses is also a cool factor. The elaborate use of simile's and metaphors really help reinforce the fury that the accuser is trying to convey. As I read lyrics along with the song I can really get a pissed off vibe that heightens the mood throughout. Excellent literary content, melodic heavy riffs, and breakdown really make this song one of a kind.
@Metalicious 14M views on Youtube says otherwise