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.
(Keep calm, keeping it calm, keeping it calm)
(Keep calm, keeping it calm, keeping it calm)
(Keeping it calm)
(Fuck, here we go again)
Heat lighting flash, but don't blink
Misleading
Tranquility ruse
You're gonna happen again
That's what I think
Follow the evidence
Look it dead in the eye
You are darkness
Trying to lull us in, before the havoc begins
Into a dubious state of serenity
Acting all surprised when you're caught in the lie
We know better
It's not unlike you
It's not unlike you
We know your nature
Blame it all on the bastards when you're blowing out
Shame on you
Shame on you, now
No amount of wind could to begin to cover up your petulant stench and demeanor
Calm as cookies and cream, so it seems
We're not buying your dubious state of serenity
Acting all surprised when you're caught in the lie
We know better
It's not unlike you
It's not unlike you
We know your nature
Calm before the torrent comes
Calm before the torrent comes
Calm before the torrent comes
Calm before the tempest comes to reign all over
Disputing intentions invites devastation
A tempest must be true to its nature
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
Control, your delusion
Insane and striking at random
Victim of your certainty
And therefore your doubt's not an option
Blameless, the tempest will be just that
So try as you may, feeble, your attempt to atone
Your words to erase all the damage cannot
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
(Keep calm, keeping it calm, keeping it calm)
(Keeping it calm)
(Fuck, here we go again)
Heat lighting flash, but don't blink
Misleading
Tranquility ruse
You're gonna happen again
That's what I think
Follow the evidence
Look it dead in the eye
You are darkness
Trying to lull us in, before the havoc begins
Into a dubious state of serenity
Acting all surprised when you're caught in the lie
We know better
It's not unlike you
It's not unlike you
We know your nature
Blame it all on the bastards when you're blowing out
Shame on you
Shame on you, now
No amount of wind could to begin to cover up your petulant stench and demeanor
Calm as cookies and cream, so it seems
We're not buying your dubious state of serenity
Acting all surprised when you're caught in the lie
We know better
It's not unlike you
It's not unlike you
We know your nature
Calm before the torrent comes
Calm before the torrent comes
Calm before the torrent comes
Calm before the tempest comes to reign all over
Disputing intentions invites devastation
A tempest must be true to its nature
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
Control, your delusion
Insane and striking at random
Victim of your certainty
And therefore your doubt's not an option
Blameless, the tempest will be just that
So try as you may, feeble, your attempt to atone
Your words to erase all the damage cannot
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
A tempest must be just that
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
7empest Lyrics as written by Daniel Carey Adam Jones
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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Here are my two cents of the meaning:
I believe the song is directed towards somebody in perticular.
" Control, your delusion Insane and striking at random Victim of your certainty And therefore your doubt's not an option Blameless, the tempest must will be just that So try as you may, feeble, your attempt to atone Your words to erase all the damage cannot"
This part of the verse describes somebody who is insane to the point where they lash out at random to everybody around them. They are one of those people who are always certain of themselves (victim of of certainty) and thus never doubt themselves or their actions (your doubt's not an action) Keenan then describes him has a storm, of causing only destruction in its path. And as a person they will be just that, a storm, a path of only destruction.
He then writes of the destructive person attempting to atone himself to no a vale. His words are empty and do not mean anything and the damage has been done. The destructive storm personality of a person will keep on going .
Thus the line: A tempest must be just that.