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.
Give it up to this planet full of strife we're the brothers cup cuttin' sharp as a knife
With the pop of a snap and the flip of a flap the cups went up like a natural fact
It was our shoulder space that made the perfect place
For the magic of the cup to style out with grace
With a tight turn twist and a slight swerve swank
The brothers cup kissed with a kick ass clank
We are the brothers cup we like to get it up
We are the brothers cup we like to get it up
Give it up to this planet full of strife we're the brothers cup cuttin' sharp as a knife
With the pop of a snap and the flip of a flap the cups went up like a natural fact
So love all your brothers and love all your sisters
Love all the misses and love all the misters
Don't be shy when you're sharin' your kisses
The brothers cup kiss and we ain't sissies
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
Get it
Do it
Do it, alright, keep it, keep it
It is our notion that the perfect peace potion can be found in the wake of the green sea's motion
The long rocking swell of the mighty blue ocean is the cradle of peace it's the perfect peace motion
Give it up to this planet full of strife we're the brothers cup cuttin' sharp as a knife
With the power of the cup we are about to astound all your preconceptions they will come unbound
We are the brothers cup coming to your town bringing tubs of love we're going to spread it around
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup) we like to get it up
(We're the brothers cup) we like to get it up
(We're the brothers cup) we like to get it up
With the pop of a snap and the flip of a flap the cups went up like a natural fact
It was our shoulder space that made the perfect place
For the magic of the cup to style out with grace
With a tight turn twist and a slight swerve swank
The brothers cup kissed with a kick ass clank
We are the brothers cup we like to get it up
We are the brothers cup we like to get it up
Give it up to this planet full of strife we're the brothers cup cuttin' sharp as a knife
With the pop of a snap and the flip of a flap the cups went up like a natural fact
So love all your brothers and love all your sisters
Love all the misses and love all the misters
Don't be shy when you're sharin' your kisses
The brothers cup kiss and we ain't sissies
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
Get it
Do it
Do it, alright, keep it, keep it
It is our notion that the perfect peace potion can be found in the wake of the green sea's motion
The long rocking swell of the mighty blue ocean is the cradle of peace it's the perfect peace motion
Give it up to this planet full of strife we're the brothers cup cuttin' sharp as a knife
With the power of the cup we are about to astound all your preconceptions they will come unbound
We are the brothers cup coming to your town bringing tubs of love we're going to spread it around
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup)
(We're the brothers cup) we like to get it up
(We're the brothers cup) we like to get it up
(We're the brothers cup) we like to get it up
Lyrics submitted by PrismPuck, edited by Mellow_Harsher
The Brothers Cup Lyrics as written by Anthony Kiedis Michael Peter Balzary
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
GREAT SONG! the references to What It Is are obvious, which the chilis did with a lot of songs on Freaky Styley. With the pop of a snap and the flip of a flap The cups went up like a natural fact great lyrics