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.
It's so hard to face
That in this day and age
Somebody's race
Could trigger somebody's rage
And somebody's preference
Can drive some total stranger to make somebody,
Somehow feel the wrath of their anger
Why were we put here? What for? we're unsure
We sure weren't put here to hate
Be racist, be sexist
Be bigots, be sure
We won't stand for your hate
Why so cut and dry
A simple concept missed
Give tolerance a try
This confusion still exists ignorant mongers
No area's gray
Couldn't be any wronger in this age and day
Why were we put here? What for? we're unsure
We sure weren't put here to hate
Be racist, be sexist
Be bigots, be sure
We won't stand for your hate
Now how far have we come?
How come there still are come
Who won't let come
March to the beat of a different drum
To face it, it's so hard you must be on your guard
It's not okay
And you're not free to be a different way
Let's try to erase it, it's time that we face it
If we don't, then who will? shame on us
Let's try to erase it, it's time that we face it
Let's face it, the time is upon us
That in this day and age
Somebody's race
Could trigger somebody's rage
And somebody's preference
Can drive some total stranger to make somebody,
Somehow feel the wrath of their anger
Why were we put here? What for? we're unsure
We sure weren't put here to hate
Be racist, be sexist
Be bigots, be sure
We won't stand for your hate
Why so cut and dry
A simple concept missed
Give tolerance a try
This confusion still exists ignorant mongers
No area's gray
Couldn't be any wronger in this age and day
Why were we put here? What for? we're unsure
We sure weren't put here to hate
Be racist, be sexist
Be bigots, be sure
We won't stand for your hate
Now how far have we come?
How come there still are come
Who won't let come
March to the beat of a different drum
To face it, it's so hard you must be on your guard
It's not okay
And you're not free to be a different way
Let's try to erase it, it's time that we face it
If we don't, then who will? shame on us
Let's try to erase it, it's time that we face it
Let's face it, the time is upon us
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Great song, great band! This tune was a sort of rally cry for me and my friends during our first couple years in college!