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.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band,
We'd travel all over the land.
We'd play and we'd sing and wear spangly things.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band,
And we were up there on the stand,
The people would hear us and love us and cheer us.
Hurray for that rock 'n' roll band.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band,
Then we'd have a million fans.
We'd giggle and laugh and sign autographs,
Maybe if we were a rock 'n' roll band.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
The people would all kiss our hands.
We'd be millionaires with extra long hair,
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
See we just ain't no rock 'n' roll band,
We're just five kids in the sand.
With homemade guitars and pails and jars
And drums made of potato chip cans.
We're just five kids in the sand.
Talk'n and waven' our hands.
And dreamin' and thinkin' oh wouldn't it be grand,
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
We'd travel all over the land.
We'd play and we'd sing and wear spangly things.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band,
And we were up there on the stand,
The people would hear us and love us and cheer us.
Hurray for that rock 'n' roll band.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band,
Then we'd have a million fans.
We'd giggle and laugh and sign autographs,
Maybe if we were a rock 'n' roll band.
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
The people would all kiss our hands.
We'd be millionaires with extra long hair,
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
See we just ain't no rock 'n' roll band,
We're just five kids in the sand.
With homemade guitars and pails and jars
And drums made of potato chip cans.
We're just five kids in the sand.
Talk'n and waven' our hands.
And dreamin' and thinkin' oh wouldn't it be grand,
If we were a rock 'n' roll band.
Lyrics submitted by J.E.W.
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skycamefalling00 you stupid fuck. the reason you have never heard this song is because they only play it at shows. and the lyrics are not pretty dumb, it is one of shel silversteins best poems ever, "If we were a rock 'n' roll band." They play it during their shows to 'remind them where they came from.' If you had any knowledge of something corporate or any respect for one of the greatest poets ever, you might know that. Now go listen to Konstantine because somne friend of yours heard it and told you it was cool.
...I totally agree with you....one of the best Shel poems..i grew up reading these...hes needs to show respect.
drunkgirl..u kick ass..way to put that poser in his place. shel silverstein is one of the greatest poets ever and its really cool that something corporate sings this cuz it shows that they are successful yet humble too. i think that its a really great thing of them to do and it shows that they are really down to earth appreciative people
oopsie i meant some not somne =D
Way to go to Drunkgirl you do kick ass! This is a great song...it's kind of funny too 'cause it shows their true roots :)
I'm glad someone else likes this song. It made me laugh when i first heard the song. I posted it under this name because some other people weren't too happy when i (under SoCo)posted the lyrics to high & dry, the radiohead cover (notice that songs not on the list anymore). Yeah this is a Shel Silverstein poem except Soco changed it to fit them because I believe the original is 7 kids in the sand.
yeah its an Awesome song and while shel silverstein is great he is by no means a great poet his poems are funny and they make you smile but Emily Dickinson was a great poet edgar Allen Poe was a great poet and i hardly consider Shel Silverstein up there with them.... the song tho is awesome and at least they remember where they came from and arent like some washed up rock bands who have forgotten that long ago
I think this is a great song. I didn't know that it was a poem by Shel Silverstein. I haven't read any of his work in a while, but thanks for letting me know.
It was awesome when they read this poem before they started playing their show. It just shows that the band is in it for the fun, and not the money. I was really sad when Shel died, he was the first poet I ever read. This poem rivals dirty dan!
I love Shel Silverstein.. I remember reading his books cover to cover in one day! I think it is really cute how they sing the lyric "We'd be millionaires with extra long hair" because Andrew has his "extra long hair" as well as Clutch and Brian.. haha! :)
oh yea brian's got an afro now! on the live version you can download everyone laughs at the "millionaires with extra long hair" part.