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.
Fuck off you fuck your violent threats your attempts to control the nation
Fuck off you fucked up facist cunt, understand the situation
Back off you slimy worthless prick, you ain't got a clue what you are facing
Eat bricks you het up bastard shits, scabs; you’ll get what you are creating
Who the fuck do you think you're pushing, "stay in place or get it"
I would think again to save your skin, because if you come too close you'll fucking regret it
You whine on all the hell you like, repeat your warnings of plastic bullets
The gas, the batons, the water cannon -the more you oppress the more we will resist
Riots, there ain't been a riot, but one’s knocking at your door
You have seen nothing yet but household pets but you'll soon feel the lion’s claws
Proclaiming laws last victory, of containing rebel shower
When the time is right you'll get the fight that will totally test your power
Inciting, provoking trouble that you know can easily be beaten
To maintain the image that we need you, so thus re-confirm your position
You might trick some you scheming scum, but you'll never get our obedience
You can batter, beat us, even imprison us, yet still you will never ever never defeat us
Belfast...Brixton...Toxteth...Tottenham...St Paul’s...Handsworth...
Reclaim the streets, reclaim the towns, reclaim the nation
What revolution? This revolution, we all wanted a peaceful solution
But this institution, that institution, smashed all hope of getting through to them
Confrontations, escalating violations of the law
Repercussions of the mass destruction which in the end is sure
To mean them pumping out the bullets, their protection from the poor
We will win because we have to; we ain't got nothing to loose no more
And what they lose they undoubtedly will forfeit forever
"They’ve got the guns, but we’ve got the numbers"
And we give no apologies ever!
Fuck off you fucked up facist cunt, understand the situation
Back off you slimy worthless prick, you ain't got a clue what you are facing
Eat bricks you het up bastard shits, scabs; you’ll get what you are creating
Who the fuck do you think you're pushing, "stay in place or get it"
I would think again to save your skin, because if you come too close you'll fucking regret it
You whine on all the hell you like, repeat your warnings of plastic bullets
The gas, the batons, the water cannon -the more you oppress the more we will resist
Riots, there ain't been a riot, but one’s knocking at your door
You have seen nothing yet but household pets but you'll soon feel the lion’s claws
Proclaiming laws last victory, of containing rebel shower
When the time is right you'll get the fight that will totally test your power
Inciting, provoking trouble that you know can easily be beaten
To maintain the image that we need you, so thus re-confirm your position
You might trick some you scheming scum, but you'll never get our obedience
You can batter, beat us, even imprison us, yet still you will never ever never defeat us
Belfast...Brixton...Toxteth...Tottenham...St Paul’s...Handsworth...
Reclaim the streets, reclaim the towns, reclaim the nation
What revolution? This revolution, we all wanted a peaceful solution
But this institution, that institution, smashed all hope of getting through to them
Confrontations, escalating violations of the law
Repercussions of the mass destruction which in the end is sure
To mean them pumping out the bullets, their protection from the poor
We will win because we have to; we ain't got nothing to loose no more
And what they lose they undoubtedly will forfeit forever
"They’ve got the guns, but we’ve got the numbers"
And we give no apologies ever!
Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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."
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.