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 me why you're monitorin' my actions
Is this just for sovereign satisfaction?
I feel observed and disturbed like a lab rat
True peace of mind? I never had that
You obliteratin' my right to privacy
And it's an even bigger slight to lie to me
I ain't your slave, so you can leave me the hell alone
Quit chippin' and stop tappin' my telephone
Congress stomped us, and Bush just pushed us
So-called security; these crooks have hooked us
Readin' my bank statements and my text messages?
There ain't no tellin' when the next menace is
Am I really the one that needs to be watched close?
How 'bout the minds behind Guantanamo?
We need to repeal the Patriot Act; this ain't where it's at
It's far less safe to be black
This ain't for my security; that's a surety
Civil forfeiture means the jury eats
They can raid at any time; fuck the Fourth Amendment
This is the world they stuck on your descendants
Blatant disregard for the Constitution
Lyrically hittin' hard, is my solution
And those who say "nothin' to hide" can go snuff it and die
My life ain't for the government to pry
They can legally frame you as a terrorist
You really mean to say you ain't scared of this?
U.S. turnin' into 1984
I start the revolution I've been waitin' for
I'ma really give 'em somethin' to see, like public TV
If they wanna keep fuckin' wit' me
Under the glare of the All-Seeing Eye
With thunderous applause is how our freedom dies
Is this just for sovereign satisfaction?
I feel observed and disturbed like a lab rat
True peace of mind? I never had that
You obliteratin' my right to privacy
And it's an even bigger slight to lie to me
I ain't your slave, so you can leave me the hell alone
Quit chippin' and stop tappin' my telephone
Congress stomped us, and Bush just pushed us
So-called security; these crooks have hooked us
Readin' my bank statements and my text messages?
There ain't no tellin' when the next menace is
Am I really the one that needs to be watched close?
How 'bout the minds behind Guantanamo?
We need to repeal the Patriot Act; this ain't where it's at
It's far less safe to be black
This ain't for my security; that's a surety
Civil forfeiture means the jury eats
They can raid at any time; fuck the Fourth Amendment
This is the world they stuck on your descendants
Blatant disregard for the Constitution
Lyrically hittin' hard, is my solution
And those who say "nothin' to hide" can go snuff it and die
My life ain't for the government to pry
They can legally frame you as a terrorist
You really mean to say you ain't scared of this?
U.S. turnin' into 1984
I start the revolution I've been waitin' for
I'ma really give 'em somethin' to see, like public TV
If they wanna keep fuckin' wit' me
Under the glare of the All-Seeing Eye
With thunderous applause is how our freedom dies
Lyrics submitted by Bithopbeast
33 (Interlude) Lyrics as written by Elyjah Mckoy
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.