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.
Breathes, bleeds
What stands before us is not a machine.
It breathes, it will bleed, and it dreams.
Its body is covered,
In hundreds of wires.
And the mouth it attempts to speak,
It attempts to lie.
Only murmurs,
Collapse from its jaws.
And a world, a world without,
A world without you,
Will rise. The dead will pride.
Brings it beyond this life
Sucks life. Sleep among us,
And hesitate no more.
Entombment of a machine.
We kneel and we plead for no,
Mourning ahead of us.
With only delayed movements,
From its figure,
We all begin to strain.
Entombment of a machine.
Entombment of a machine.
What stands before us,
Is not a machine.
What stands before us,
Is not a machine.
My legs weaken at the sight,
Of this damaged program.
This program kept you breathing.
It kept you alive.
These circuits diffuse once more.
Its body is covered in hundreds of wires.
Only murmurs collapse,
From its scream.
Entombment of a machine.
But I saw it die.
But I saw it die.
But I saw it die.
But I saw it die.
I saw it die.
I saw it die.
What stands before us is not a machine.
It breathes, it will bleed, and it dreams.
Its body is covered,
In hundreds of wires.
And the mouth it attempts to speak,
It attempts to lie.
Only murmurs,
Collapse from its jaws.
And a world, a world without,
A world without you,
Will rise. The dead will pride.
Brings it beyond this life
Sucks life. Sleep among us,
And hesitate no more.
Entombment of a machine.
We kneel and we plead for no,
Mourning ahead of us.
With only delayed movements,
From its figure,
We all begin to strain.
Entombment of a machine.
Entombment of a machine.
What stands before us,
Is not a machine.
What stands before us,
Is not a machine.
My legs weaken at the sight,
Of this damaged program.
This program kept you breathing.
It kept you alive.
These circuits diffuse once more.
Its body is covered in hundreds of wires.
Only murmurs collapse,
From its scream.
Entombment of a machine.
But I saw it die.
But I saw it die.
But I saw it die.
But I saw it die.
I saw it die.
I saw it die.
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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These are the wrong lyrics.
It actually
"BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!! RAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
Breet reet roar or orf! Breet reet orv a shorv! Uv luv of a dove ub la! DRUUUUUGGGGGGGG!!!
(Scream)
This oil is for a lawnmower! Roy lol rofl offal for dinner! And a mountain of guts to slide! And a fountain lie!
EE REE OR ORF! CANNOT PROMISE YOU! ARA RAR AND A WORLD WITHOUT!
BLIND ROWERS!
apologies to Jonny and the rest of JFAC.
BTW this is an awesome song. esp. the Scream and then bass explosion, that part is great with a subwoofer.