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 know these rails we're on like I know my lady's smile,
We see a dozen dreams in every passing mile.
Can't begin to count the trips she and I have made,
But I wish I had a dollar for each time we've both been down this grade.
[Chorus]
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes don't work and this grade's too steep, her engine's sure to blow.
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, out of control,
She's more a roller coaster than the train I used to know.
It's one hell of an understatement, to say she can't be beat.
She's temperamental, more a bitch than a machine.
She wasn't built to travel at speed or through mud slides.
These wheels are bound to jump the tracks before they burn like the ties
[Chorus]
Murphy sure out done himself to pick this stretch of track
I can only hope my luck is ridin' in the back.
Well I have pray to god this ain't the day we meet,
I've done about everything, but try dragging my feet.
[Chorus]
Oh, oh I want to go down slow.
We see a dozen dreams in every passing mile.
Can't begin to count the trips she and I have made,
But I wish I had a dollar for each time we've both been down this grade.
[Chorus]
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes don't work and this grade's too steep, her engine's sure to blow.
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, out of control,
She's more a roller coaster than the train I used to know.
It's one hell of an understatement, to say she can't be beat.
She's temperamental, more a bitch than a machine.
She wasn't built to travel at speed or through mud slides.
These wheels are bound to jump the tracks before they burn like the ties
[Chorus]
Murphy sure out done himself to pick this stretch of track
I can only hope my luck is ridin' in the back.
Well I have pray to god this ain't the day we meet,
I've done about everything, but try dragging my feet.
[Chorus]
Oh, oh I want to go down slow.
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Tons of Steel Lyrics as written by Brent Richard Mydland
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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.
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Actually, you're all about 400 tons of Steel short... the name of the song is 900,000 tons of steel and it is a rippin representation of the Grateful Dead's coming to mainstreet America and actually getting a mention on the billboard charts with Touch of Grey. Written by a permanently acid-entranced Bearded Brent Mydland, this one took Spector's wall of sound and put it to good work. What it means, like most Grateful Dead songs is entirely up to the listener's interpretation. Magpi1's got the mainstream read though.
@jeffmevans I like the wall of sound reference to Brent Mydland. He could minimize and maximize.
this song is great more people should like this great song
100,000 tons of steel, made to roll..hehe this song is definately complexe, but looking at the charecter of the writer Hunter, and knowing him. This song seems to be about music, playing music, and the music industry, and how big the band is, and how chaotic the whole movement is, and how he's having fun enjoying the ride comparing it often with an exciting thrilling roller coaster.
You can count the drug experiences and playing experiences as all part of the thrill magic this song describes intensely.
MasterMusician, The song wsn't written by Robert Hunter. At least the way it's credited on the album is words and music - Brent Mydland. I've become a big fan of Brent's songs over the years, and this one's a gem. It's a standard train/vehicle as woman metaphor, but it's done really well. Great song - underappreciated!
I agree most of the Dead's works are underappreciated. In the dark was the only album to make the charts, when in my beleifs terrapin station should have aswell. It is sad that bands with this much talent arent even reconized as being truley great.
You know that when Jerry was alive the Grateful Dead was the biggest grossing act in show business?<br /> <br /> They were hardly under appreciated in their time.<br /> <br /> Or now for that matter.
I just wanted to let you know that the third verse is incorrect on line 3. You say, "She wasn't built to travel at speed or through mud slides." It actually says "She wasn't built to travel at THE SPEED A RUMOR FLIES." and "the wheels are bound to jump the track before they burn the ties."
Truly open to interpretation. But knowing Brent's struggle with addiction. It's all too obvious. Riding that train he used to know. Her brakes don't work and the grades so steep her engines sure to blow. Can't begin to count the trips that she and I have made. But I wish I had a dollar for each time we both been down this grade