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.
You've got to pick up the pieces
Come on, sort your trash, you better pull yourself back together
Maybe you've got too much cash
Better call, call the law
When you gonna turn yourself in?
Yeah, you're a politician
Don't become one of Hitler's children
Bonzo goes to Bitburg then goes out for a cup of tea
As I watched it on TV somehow it really bothered me
Drank in all the bars in town for an extended foreign policy
Pick up the pieces
My brain is hanging upside down, I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
Shouldn't wish you happiness
Wish her the very best
Fifty-thousand dollar dress
Shaking hands with your highness
See through you like cellophane, you watch the world complain
But you do it anyway, who am I, am I to say?
Bonzo goes to Bitburg then goes out for a cup of tea
As I watched it on TV somehow it really bothered me
Drank in all the bars in town for an extended foreign policy
Pick up the pieces
My brain is hanging upside down, I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
If there's one thing that makes me sick it's when someone tries to hide behind politics
I wish that time could go by fast, somehow they manage to make it last
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down, I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
Come on, sort your trash, you better pull yourself back together
Maybe you've got too much cash
Better call, call the law
When you gonna turn yourself in?
Yeah, you're a politician
Don't become one of Hitler's children
Bonzo goes to Bitburg then goes out for a cup of tea
As I watched it on TV somehow it really bothered me
Drank in all the bars in town for an extended foreign policy
Pick up the pieces
My brain is hanging upside down, I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
Shouldn't wish you happiness
Wish her the very best
Fifty-thousand dollar dress
Shaking hands with your highness
See through you like cellophane, you watch the world complain
But you do it anyway, who am I, am I to say?
Bonzo goes to Bitburg then goes out for a cup of tea
As I watched it on TV somehow it really bothered me
Drank in all the bars in town for an extended foreign policy
Pick up the pieces
My brain is hanging upside down, I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
If there's one thing that makes me sick it's when someone tries to hide behind politics
I wish that time could go by fast, somehow they manage to make it last
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down, I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
Ooh yeah, my brain is hanging upside down and I need something to slow me down
Lyrics submitted by BobSaget666
Bonzo Goes to Bitburg Lyrics as written by Jean Beauvoir Dee Dee Ramone
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
It wasn't actually Dee Dee's choice. Johnny forced Dee Dee to change the name for the album, or it wouldn't go on (due to Johnny's Right-Wing, Pro-Reagan beliefs).
THATS IT! thanks
Eye heart this song! Great tune. I watch School of Rock just to get to the mantage seen.
Petey, I don't really think sticking to an unpopular belief is a good thing in itself. You (hopefully) wouldn't grant David Duke respect for sticking to his racist views even though they are unpopular. Johnny has my respect for being a major part of one of the greatest bands in history, but that's as far as it goes.
"My Brain is Hanging Upside Down" is just another way of saying "I don't f** belive what I'm seeing", in my view.
Great song! Little confused how no one has corrected one of the lyrics tho, during chorus correct lyric is: “ Drank in all the bars in town to understand a foreign policy”
Not what’s posted here, “Drank in all the bars in town for an extended foreign policy”
Not just this site that posted it incorrectly, every lyric site messed this one up. Turn up the headphones there guys it’s really not hard to understand what he’s saying
Bonzo is supposed to be Ronald Regan (if I'm not mistaken) and his trip to Germany.
Bonzo is supposed to be Ronald Regan (if I'm not mistaken) and his trip to Germany.
Reagan took a lot of flack for that trip, since he participated in a memorial at a cemetery which held quite a lot of dead Nazis. Dee Dee later weakened his dislike of Ronnie and changed the title to "My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down."
Me and my band played this song at a concert and its so awesome. One of my favorite songs ever
This song is about Ronald Reagan\'s controversial trip to a nazi cemetary in Bitburg, Germany. Also, \"Bonzo\" is the name of a monkey that appeared in a movie with Reagan