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.
You got me forced to crack my lids in two
I'm still stuck inside the rubber room
I gotta punch the clock that leads the blind
I'm just another gear in the assembly line-oh no
The noose gets tighter around my throat
But I ain't at the end of my rope
'Cause I won't be the one left behind
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Tear down the rat racial slime
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Get it?
A routine injection, a lethal dose
But my day in the sun ain't even close
There's no need to waste your prayers on me
You better mark my words 'cause I'm history, yes indeed
You might beg for mercy to get by
But I'd rather tear this thorn from my side
'Cause I won't be the one left behind
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Tear down the rat racial slime
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
They swallowed their daggers by turning their trick
They tore my intentions apart brick by brick
I'm sick of the jive
You talk verbal insecticide
They swallowed their daggers by turning their trick
They tore my intentions apart brick by brick
I'm sick of the jive
You talk verbal insecticide
I won't be the one left behind
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Tear down the rat racial slime
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
I said slave to the grind
Slave to the grind, slave to the grind
I'm still stuck inside the rubber room
I gotta punch the clock that leads the blind
I'm just another gear in the assembly line-oh no
The noose gets tighter around my throat
But I ain't at the end of my rope
'Cause I won't be the one left behind
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Tear down the rat racial slime
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Get it?
A routine injection, a lethal dose
But my day in the sun ain't even close
There's no need to waste your prayers on me
You better mark my words 'cause I'm history, yes indeed
You might beg for mercy to get by
But I'd rather tear this thorn from my side
'Cause I won't be the one left behind
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Tear down the rat racial slime
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
They swallowed their daggers by turning their trick
They tore my intentions apart brick by brick
I'm sick of the jive
You talk verbal insecticide
They swallowed their daggers by turning their trick
They tore my intentions apart brick by brick
I'm sick of the jive
You talk verbal insecticide
I won't be the one left behind
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
Tear down the rat racial slime
Can't be king of the world if you're slave to the grind
I said slave to the grind
Slave to the grind, slave to the grind
Lyrics submitted by thekronic420
Slave To The Grind Lyrics as written by Rachel Southworth David Michael Sabo
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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We're all slaves to the freakin' grind- we have to live by the timelines and expectations of those around us. This song is about breaking away from that and living your own life- something we can all take to heart.