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.
Karma police
Arrest this man
He talks in maths
He buzzes like a fridge
He's like a detuned radio
Karma police
Arrest this girl
Her Hitler hairdo
Is making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
Karma police
I've given all I can
It's not enough
I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Arrest this man
He talks in maths
He buzzes like a fridge
He's like a detuned radio
Karma police
Arrest this girl
Her Hitler hairdo
Is making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
Karma police
I've given all I can
It's not enough
I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
This is what you'll get
When you mess with us
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself
Lyrics submitted by piesupreme
Karma Police Lyrics as written by Edward John O'brien Colin Charles Greenwood
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Music India Private Limited, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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Man, some of the ridiculous interpretations given here make me sick. Do people even read the lyrics before they post? Where are the moderators to put end to all this foolishness?
Sorry, for the flame everyone. I think I lost my head, but now I've come to my senses.
You might notice that the comments above are illustrative of my interpretation of Karma Police. ;-)
First the narrator of the song wishes ill on a man because the man is jabbering on about something or other. The irony is that the narrator is probably irritated because he doesn't actually understand the "maths" that man is talking about.
Then the narrator wishes ill on a woman because he doesn't like her haircut. The irony is that he's eating her food and drinking her wine at a party he wasn't even invited to.
Then he realizes how petty and ridiculous HE is being.
I think it's as simple as that.
I think you might be thinking to literal<br />
@turantual great explanation!!
@turantual I loved your comment. The example was AWESOME.
@turantual You sound like a buzzing fridge in my opinion. Are you sure this song isn't about you? It might be that simple. You never know..
@turantual l think he's making fun of people who talk about karma....the western interpretation of the word is ridiculous, they would indeed like a police to take away all the people they don't like...they completely missed the meaning of connecting with one's heart and soul and doing what's fundamentally right.
@turantual with all due respect this is pretty stupid
@turantual NICE!