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.
People said we couldn't play
They called us foul-mothed yobs
But the only notes that really count
Are the ones that come in wads
They all drowned when the air turned blue
'cause we didn't give a toss
Filthy lucre, ain't nothing new
But we all get cash from the chaos
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
E.M.I. said you're out of hand
And they gave us the boot
But they couldn't sack us, just like that
Without giving us the loot
Thank you kindly A & M
They said we were out of bounds
But that ain't bad for two weeks work
And 75,000 pounds
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
I just want to play with my hand
Are you good enough for me
Hiya boys I'm the chosen one
Can't you fucking see
I'm a jealous god and I want everything
And I love you with a knife
I'll take you, if you're ready for me
And I'll give you my life
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
The time is right for Nickey's Special
The greatest rock'n'roll star
The time is right for me, now!
They called us foul-mothed yobs
But the only notes that really count
Are the ones that come in wads
They all drowned when the air turned blue
'cause we didn't give a toss
Filthy lucre, ain't nothing new
But we all get cash from the chaos
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
E.M.I. said you're out of hand
And they gave us the boot
But they couldn't sack us, just like that
Without giving us the loot
Thank you kindly A & M
They said we were out of bounds
But that ain't bad for two weeks work
And 75,000 pounds
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
I just want to play with my hand
Are you good enough for me
Hiya boys I'm the chosen one
Can't you fucking see
I'm a jealous god and I want everything
And I love you with a knife
I'll take you, if you're ready for me
And I'll give you my life
The time is right to do it now
The greatest rock'n'roll swindle
The time is right to do it now
The time is right for Nickey's Special
The greatest rock'n'roll star
The time is right for me, now!
Lyrics submitted by spunkykitten
Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle Lyrics as written by Steve (gb 1) Jones Julian Temple
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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They should have wrote out the part at the end where he calls Mick Jagger a "white nigger."
By the way, I'm not racist, I just can't believe John said that.
@Bite Me No, I totally get it. It cracked me up too. And just a note, Johnny Rotten had left the band at this stage. The guy who sang this was a tryout for his position, That's why the vocalists keep changing in this song. They are all trial vocalists. The movie explains it. But in short, Rotten didn't sing this.
John Didn't say that, Ed Tudor Pole did. By the time this song was written Johnny had left the band
It's just a really, really pathetic attempt to write a Rotten-esque lyric.
this song just isnt the same with out johnny because this guy is singing about events that didnt even happen when he came in the band
"E.M.I. said you´re out of hand And they gave us the boot But they couldn´t sack us, just like that Without giving us the loot" Johnny didnt leave till after god save the gueen was released and Ed Tudor Pole came in way after
I don't like that guys voice. Who is he anyway?
Are you all deaf? There's a different vocalist on practically every couple of lines.
They performed this song on 'The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle with a stage full of singers. I got the impression it was a mass audition for a new singer.
Or maybe it was the remaining pistols and Maclaren saying to Johnny, "look, any Tom, Dick or Harry can do your job." If so, they'd be wrong. Obviously.
Tudor Pole also says "Bob Dylan's got a parking ticket stuck to his arsehole" and calles Sid Vicious a "rock and roll cliche".
According to Lydon's book they had these auditions near Finsbury Park, pretty much right down the road from where his parents lived, and that even his brothers went and auditioned. It pleased dear Johnny none.
And Boss Man, that is the correct notion. From a clip I've seen from the movie there's a subtitle at the beginning of the song that says "Kids audition: anyone can be a Sex Pistol". The song also explains the plot of the movie, McLauren's idea that they cheated the record companies for money.