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.
I know these rails we're on like I know my lady's smile,
We see a dozen dreams in every passing mile.
Can't begin to count the trips she and I have made,
But I wish I had a dollar for each time we've both been down this grade.
[Chorus]
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes don't work and this grade's too steep, her engine's sure to blow.
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, out of control,
She's more a roller coaster than the train I used to know.
It's one hell of an understatement, to say she can't be beat.
She's temperamental, more a bitch than a machine.
She wasn't built to travel at speed or through mud slides.
These wheels are bound to jump the tracks before they burn like the ties
[Chorus]
Murphy sure out done himself to pick this stretch of track
I can only hope my luck is ridin' in the back.
Well I have pray to god this ain't the day we meet,
I've done about everything, but try dragging my feet.
[Chorus]
Oh, oh I want to go down slow.
We see a dozen dreams in every passing mile.
Can't begin to count the trips she and I have made,
But I wish I had a dollar for each time we've both been down this grade.
[Chorus]
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes don't work and this grade's too steep, her engine's sure to blow.
And a hundred thousand tons of steel, out of control,
She's more a roller coaster than the train I used to know.
It's one hell of an understatement, to say she can't be beat.
She's temperamental, more a bitch than a machine.
She wasn't built to travel at speed or through mud slides.
These wheels are bound to jump the tracks before they burn like the ties
[Chorus]
Murphy sure out done himself to pick this stretch of track
I can only hope my luck is ridin' in the back.
Well I have pray to god this ain't the day we meet,
I've done about everything, but try dragging my feet.
[Chorus]
Oh, oh I want to go down slow.
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Tons of Steel Lyrics as written by Brent Richard Mydland
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Actually, you're all about 400 tons of Steel short... the name of the song is 900,000 tons of steel and it is a rippin representation of the Grateful Dead's coming to mainstreet America and actually getting a mention on the billboard charts with Touch of Grey. Written by a permanently acid-entranced Bearded Brent Mydland, this one took Spector's wall of sound and put it to good work. What it means, like most Grateful Dead songs is entirely up to the listener's interpretation. Magpi1's got the mainstream read though.
@jeffmevans I like the wall of sound reference to Brent Mydland. He could minimize and maximize.
this song is great more people should like this great song
100,000 tons of steel, made to roll..hehe this song is definately complexe, but looking at the charecter of the writer Hunter, and knowing him. This song seems to be about music, playing music, and the music industry, and how big the band is, and how chaotic the whole movement is, and how he's having fun enjoying the ride comparing it often with an exciting thrilling roller coaster.
You can count the drug experiences and playing experiences as all part of the thrill magic this song describes intensely.
MasterMusician, The song wsn't written by Robert Hunter. At least the way it's credited on the album is words and music - Brent Mydland. I've become a big fan of Brent's songs over the years, and this one's a gem. It's a standard train/vehicle as woman metaphor, but it's done really well. Great song - underappreciated!
I agree most of the Dead's works are underappreciated. In the dark was the only album to make the charts, when in my beleifs terrapin station should have aswell. It is sad that bands with this much talent arent even reconized as being truley great.
You know that when Jerry was alive the Grateful Dead was the biggest grossing act in show business?<br /> <br /> They were hardly under appreciated in their time.<br /> <br /> Or now for that matter.
I just wanted to let you know that the third verse is incorrect on line 3. You say, "She wasn't built to travel at speed or through mud slides." It actually says "She wasn't built to travel at THE SPEED A RUMOR FLIES." and "the wheels are bound to jump the track before they burn the ties."
Truly open to interpretation. But knowing Brent's struggle with addiction. It's all too obvious. Riding that train he used to know. Her brakes don't work and the grades so steep her engines sure to blow. Can't begin to count the trips that she and I have made. But I wish I had a dollar for each time we both been down this grade