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.
Download this Song
It's 2006, the consumer's still pissed
Won't take it anymore so I'm writing a list
Don't try to resist this paradigm shift
The music revolution cannot be dismissed
$18.98 Iggy pop CD
What if I can get it from my sister for free?
It's all about marketing Clive Davis see
If fans buy the shirt then they get the mp3
Music was a product now it is a service
Major record labels why are you trying to hurt us
Epic's up in my face like don't steal out songs Lars
While Sony sells the burners that are burning CD-are's
So Warner EMI hear me clearly
Universal music, update your circuitry
They sue little kids downloading hit songs
They think that makes sense
When they know that it's wrong
Hey Mr. Record man the joke's on you
Running your label like it was 1992
Hey Mr. record man your system can't compete
It's the new artist model file transfer complete
Download this song
Download this song
Download this song
I know I'm rhyming fast but the message is clear
You don't need a million dollars to launch a career
If your style is unique and you practice what you preach
Minor threat and jello both have things to teach
I've got G5 production concept videos
Touring with a laptop rocking packed shows
The old-school major deal it makes no sense
Indentured servitude the costs are too immense
Their finger's in the dam but the crack keeps on growing
Can't sell bottled water when it's freely flowing
Record sales slipping down 8 percent
Increased download sales you can't prevent
Satellite radio and video games
Changed the terrain it will never be the same
Did you know in ten years labels won't exist?
Goodbye DVDs and compact disks
Hey mister record man what's wrong with you
Still living off your catalog from 1982
Hey Mr. record man your system can't compete
It's the new artist model file transfer complete
Download this song
Download this song
Download this song
You know we just wanted a level playing field.
You've overcharged us for music for years and now we're just trying to find a fair balance.
I hate to say it but... welcome to the future
Download this song
Download this song
Download this song
Hey Mr. Record man the joke's on you
Running your label like it was 1992
Hey Mr. record man your system can't compete
It's the new artist model file transfer complete
It's 2006, the consumer's still pissed
Won't take it anymore so I'm writing a list
Don't try to resist this paradigm shift
The music revolution cannot be dismissed
$18.98 Iggy pop CD
What if I can get it from my sister for free?
It's all about marketing Clive Davis see
If fans buy the shirt then they get the mp3
Music was a product now it is a service
Major record labels why are you trying to hurt us
Epic's up in my face like don't steal out songs Lars
While Sony sells the burners that are burning CD-are's
So Warner EMI hear me clearly
Universal music, update your circuitry
They sue little kids downloading hit songs
They think that makes sense
When they know that it's wrong
Hey Mr. Record man the joke's on you
Running your label like it was 1992
Hey Mr. record man your system can't compete
It's the new artist model file transfer complete
Download this song
Download this song
Download this song
I know I'm rhyming fast but the message is clear
You don't need a million dollars to launch a career
If your style is unique and you practice what you preach
Minor threat and jello both have things to teach
I've got G5 production concept videos
Touring with a laptop rocking packed shows
The old-school major deal it makes no sense
Indentured servitude the costs are too immense
Their finger's in the dam but the crack keeps on growing
Can't sell bottled water when it's freely flowing
Record sales slipping down 8 percent
Increased download sales you can't prevent
Satellite radio and video games
Changed the terrain it will never be the same
Did you know in ten years labels won't exist?
Goodbye DVDs and compact disks
Hey mister record man what's wrong with you
Still living off your catalog from 1982
Hey Mr. record man your system can't compete
It's the new artist model file transfer complete
Download this song
Download this song
Download this song
You know we just wanted a level playing field.
You've overcharged us for music for years and now we're just trying to find a fair balance.
I hate to say it but... welcome to the future
Download this song
Download this song
Download this song
Hey Mr. Record man the joke's on you
Running your label like it was 1992
Hey Mr. record man your system can't compete
It's the new artist model file transfer complete
Lyrics submitted by Serotskenator
Download This Song Lyrics as written by James Newell Osterberg Andrew R. Nielsen
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Excellent song. ANd the meaning is completly true. It's time to face up to the facts. music is overpriced everywhere. And everyones tired of paying 20 bucks for 10 songs.
MC Lars speaketh the truth.
song from the 30 days commercial, very cool song
song from the 30 days commercial, very cool song
is that the lead singer from Bowling for Soup singing the chorus?
im pretty sure lars is singing the chorus
well i just looked it up and you are correct, it is the jaret reddick from bowling for soup
i think this is a great song. it's meaning is obvious, and i think that it's time somebody said something about it. i love the fact that mc lars uses language that you can understand but still makes his voice heard in an intellectual way. i mean, who would have thought to combine pop culture, rap, and edgar allen poe?
HOORAH! We finally have someone brave enough to speak up. Hahaha, I agree sheslikeohsoemo. Great song, good message and good video clip. Kudos!
Hey Mr. Record man the joke’s on you Running your label like it was 1992 Hey Mr. record man your system can’t compete It’s the new artist model file transfer complete
i kinda disagree with that...i dont see how the record copanies are running like its 1992 since they are making money off of poeple downloading music with itunes and stuff....in my opinion i think they are right on top of stuff