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.
Yeah 1996
Coolio with the flow
Rated are superstar
LV that's right
Mossberg Smith & Wesson
Forty-five let me tell you how I learned my lesson
House party in the hood at some niggas I don't know
But I had to go they had a house full of hos
I stepped into that party with my nigga high off that head
The hos is looking good so we try to make a friend for night
Let's get it right let's get it straight
But now these punkass niggas in the party want to play a hate
I'd bust a cap to save a rat so what's up with that
It's 1996 so these bustas get no kinda of doubt
Like American Express here we go again
I never leave home without it so don't even think about it
Just let me leave and I won't have to make you bleed
But if you make an offensive move then I'm gonna have to show a groove
Back up off let's keep it soft
Don't make me have to show you who these 16 bosses be
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
Way back in the days we dudes don't forget a name
Now everybody wants the fame but things change ain't the same
All these sucker set-trippin killin for no reason
That's why I never leave the house without my nina
I love my baby carry my baby wherever I go
For these suckers get in a twist they say I beat their pimpin
Stop wishin you was in my shoes
And learn to be yourself stop acting like somebody else
It's ninety-six and most of the homeys thinking of six feet
The six I found out if you wear partners where the friends go
Every week you don't see me I gotta put at work
I guess the shit don't stop till my gaskets drop
Stop hating my life and get your own
Be true to this game or this game will do you cold
Everywhere I go I got my back
I hate to do my all black but I must stay strapped
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
No no oooo I can't escape this life
I been trying to live in piece but these fools won't cease
They insist with their bullshit so I got a full clip
Chitty-chitty bang-bang doin it's a new thing
One shot from a Jake .38 can make your brain ache
I'm the kinda nigga that don't believe in frontin'
But if you run up on me trippin you best believe I'm dumpin'
I got bills to pay and kids to raise
And a whole generation of lost niggas to save
So I ain't got time for that yip yap
If you start some static I'm gonna have to blow your mind back
Believe that nigga daisy if you do it's true
Fuck with Coo you get done that's how we do it to it
Don't start no shit and it won't be none son
But if you do I'm going for my gun
Like Doc Holliday a nigga ain't scary
So if you want to trip then I'll be your huckleberry
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really really really ain't me
But the streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
Coolio with the flow
Rated are superstar
LV that's right
Mossberg Smith & Wesson
Forty-five let me tell you how I learned my lesson
House party in the hood at some niggas I don't know
But I had to go they had a house full of hos
I stepped into that party with my nigga high off that head
The hos is looking good so we try to make a friend for night
Let's get it right let's get it straight
But now these punkass niggas in the party want to play a hate
I'd bust a cap to save a rat so what's up with that
It's 1996 so these bustas get no kinda of doubt
Like American Express here we go again
I never leave home without it so don't even think about it
Just let me leave and I won't have to make you bleed
But if you make an offensive move then I'm gonna have to show a groove
Back up off let's keep it soft
Don't make me have to show you who these 16 bosses be
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
Way back in the days we dudes don't forget a name
Now everybody wants the fame but things change ain't the same
All these sucker set-trippin killin for no reason
That's why I never leave the house without my nina
I love my baby carry my baby wherever I go
For these suckers get in a twist they say I beat their pimpin
Stop wishin you was in my shoes
And learn to be yourself stop acting like somebody else
It's ninety-six and most of the homeys thinking of six feet
The six I found out if you wear partners where the friends go
Every week you don't see me I gotta put at work
I guess the shit don't stop till my gaskets drop
Stop hating my life and get your own
Be true to this game or this game will do you cold
Everywhere I go I got my back
I hate to do my all black but I must stay strapped
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
No no oooo I can't escape this life
I been trying to live in piece but these fools won't cease
They insist with their bullshit so I got a full clip
Chitty-chitty bang-bang doin it's a new thing
One shot from a Jake .38 can make your brain ache
I'm the kinda nigga that don't believe in frontin'
But if you run up on me trippin you best believe I'm dumpin'
I got bills to pay and kids to raise
And a whole generation of lost niggas to save
So I ain't got time for that yip yap
If you start some static I'm gonna have to blow your mind back
Believe that nigga daisy if you do it's true
Fuck with Coo you get done that's how we do it to it
Don't start no shit and it won't be none son
But if you do I'm going for my gun
Like Doc Holliday a nigga ain't scary
So if you want to trip then I'll be your huckleberry
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really ain't me no more
These streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
This really really really ain't me
But the streets won't let me go
I can't escape this life
That they got me trapped inside
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This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
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Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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