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.
Watching the people get lairy
It's not very pretty I tell thee
Walking through town is quite scary
And not very sensible either
A friend of a friend he got beaten
He looked the wrong way at a policeman
Would never have happened to Smeaton
And old Leodiensian
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I tried to get in my taxi
A man in a tracksuit attacks me
He said that he saw it before me
Wants to get things a bit gory
Girls run around with no clothes on
To borrow a pound for a condom
If it wasn't for chip fat, they'd be frozen
They're not very sensible
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
And if there's anybody left in here
That doesn't want to be out there
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Watching the people get lairy
It's not very pretty I tell thee
Walking through town is quite scary
And not very sensible
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
Oh, ah
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
And if there's anybody left in here
That doesn't want to be out there
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
It's not very pretty I tell thee
Walking through town is quite scary
And not very sensible either
A friend of a friend he got beaten
He looked the wrong way at a policeman
Would never have happened to Smeaton
And old Leodiensian
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I tried to get in my taxi
A man in a tracksuit attacks me
He said that he saw it before me
Wants to get things a bit gory
Girls run around with no clothes on
To borrow a pound for a condom
If it wasn't for chip fat, they'd be frozen
They're not very sensible
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
And if there's anybody left in here
That doesn't want to be out there
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Watching the people get lairy
It's not very pretty I tell thee
Walking through town is quite scary
And not very sensible
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
Oh, ah
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
And if there's anybody left in here
That doesn't want to be out there
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
He Predicts A Riot
While I fully see the 'Chavscum' angle to this song, couldnt it also seen to be a good thing in the same way that Oasis 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' is obviously about a good night.
London, 8/8/11
I am understanding it pk i m.
OMG! last night i met whitey from Kaiser Chiefs outside the Carling accadeny in glasgow and i was chatting 2 him. he felt really bad that me and my mates didnt have a ticket to the nme tour but i got my pic taken next to him and when i told him i liked his " house of kaiser I predict a riot" badge he said "oooh this was a fiver, dya wannit???" i was like "hellYEAH!!!!" so thats the story i have Andrew White's badge. oh yeh this song is brilliant and i cant wait for the album in march!!!!
It's about all the clubs closing @ the same time, forcing loads of people out onto the streets of the town (written about Leeds, but same for most places!) @ once. The chavs ("man in a tracksuit") think they're above the Indie people and so try to beat them up, causing a riot.
Fab song!
Wow this song is fantastisc, I love the Kaiser Chiefs! I know what Pude is saying, and have witnessed similar things myself.
This song is great Pude has got it completely right here. Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chiefs says "We wrote it purely for Leeds but people in LA, San Francisco, New York and Russia still identify with it".
this song is soo cool...i love singing along to it
this song is fabulouso!!! i just love it it makes me all happy and smiley both inside and out.... i just want to get up and shake my whole body about everytime it comes on.... i first saw it on a film called thirteen which also has more great songs on it.....
Any body who likes this song is a nut nut :D:D:D.... wahoo im a nut nut!