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.
It's good to be here! How've you been?
Check my bags, boy! Where's my room?
I sit on the phone, that's my game,
Keep up the pressure all the way!
I don't want to beat about the bush
but none of us are getting any younger.
There's people out there who could take your place.
A more commercial view! A fresher face!
I need a shower, take a nap
I'll meet you in the bar, we must have a rap.
There's a lot on the line, a lot to say.
There's something I must tell you today.
You and I both know the score,
you can't go on like this forever.
So it's with regret that I tell you now
that from this moment on,
you're on your own!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over.
I walk a straight line, it's right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
The drinks are on me, be my guest.
Smoke a cigar? Take the best.
Don't hedge your bets, we can make a deal,
you got it in your pocket, how do you feel?
So glad that's over, now you know,
but I'm only acting under orders.
And looking down on you from way up here.
You've got to sink or swim, get off the floor!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over,
I walk a straight line, right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
Check my bags, boy! Where's my room?
I sit on the phone, that's my game,
Keep up the pressure all the way!
I don't want to beat about the bush
but none of us are getting any younger.
There's people out there who could take your place.
A more commercial view! A fresher face!
I need a shower, take a nap
I'll meet you in the bar, we must have a rap.
There's a lot on the line, a lot to say.
There's something I must tell you today.
You and I both know the score,
you can't go on like this forever.
So it's with regret that I tell you now
that from this moment on,
you're on your own!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over.
I walk a straight line, it's right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
The drinks are on me, be my guest.
Smoke a cigar? Take the best.
Don't hedge your bets, we can make a deal,
you got it in your pocket, how do you feel?
So glad that's over, now you know,
but I'm only acting under orders.
And looking down on you from way up here.
You've got to sink or swim, get off the floor!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over,
I walk a straight line, right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Down and Out Lyrics as written by Phil Collins Anthony George Banks
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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Phil was having marriage issues during this album. I believe what we're all hearing from the lyrics -- and his drumming -- is PAIN. He sounds Betrayed. That's the most intricate drum part he ever did. And Tony's solo is among his most stunning. This song SLAYS. It is Fierce. I feel this is Genesis' angriest song. And most underrated.
obviously this songs pretty much the words of a high flying business man type and his cut throat attitude towards other people. makes u wonder who it was written about... theres likely a musical executive somewhere down the line that this song applied to once.
This is a song referring to Genesis's (and their record companys) decision to "sell out" from their original prog rock phase to a more commercial sound. Thsi is the first song on the "and then there were three..." album, regarded as the first genesis pop album. It is kind of an apology, but also says live with it.
I can't help but think this is about Steve Hackett's departure from Genesis.
"There's people out there who could take your place. A more commercial view! A fresher face!"
"Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better."
"I need a shower, take a nap I'll meet you in the bar, we must have a rap."
This totally sounds like what a band member who is touring would say like at the end of a tour.
First, this is a drastically underrated album in the Genesis catalog (and based on what Mike Rutherford said in the 2007 Reissue interviews, by the band itself!).
For one thing, the album has a very wintry feel, based on some of the themes here. (Or Autumn? Evidence of Autumn??)
Anyway (no, not a Lamb quote), I don't see this as a jab to Steve Hackett. I don't see the band having this super angry bitterness toward him leaving. He did contribute in a major way to both "A Trick of the Tail" and "Wind and Wuthering", and I know he felt he was left out in those sessions, especially regarding his songwriting. I just don't see the band writing a song to "show him". I could even see fans thinking that "Ballad of Big" was a dig at Steve, but I don't think so. I don't think the band was aiming to stick it to Steve. Any perceived "bitterness" was probably just defiance at those thinking they could not continue.
Being a Genesis fan, i just can say that these lyrics sound so real that i am under the impression that i am living this song. Had a meeting today with one of these f@##%ng flying executives who told me almost the same things. Is he a Genesis fan? Probably not, otherwise he would have been more "human"
I know what this is about, the penny's dropped.
Back in 1969, Genesis were signed to Decca records and released their Ill advised Jonathan King influenced debut album: 'From Genesis to Revelation', It sold only 600 copies so the record company had no choice but to drop them. The shock was great, Tony Philips nearly threw in the towel, Tony Banks decided to go to the university of Sussex to do a degree, Peter and the others were devastated as well and questioned whether it was worth continuing.
I can imagine that these lyrics are the dialogue of the Decca record company executive at the meeting when they were given the boot.
Fortunately, Tony Stratton Smith and Charisma records picked them up and saved the day..........So a happy ending for all.
This is an anthem for a new contract, placed at the beginning of the album to help focus the band on the slippery work at hand. It is a more stark and straightforward rendering than its predecessor, "Better Start Doing It Right."