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.
To all those people doing lines
Don't do it, don't do it
Inject your soul with liberty
It's free, it's free
To all the kids with heroin eyes
Don't do it, don't do it
Because it's not, not what it seems
No, no it's not, not what it seems
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
(Uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh)
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do doooo
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do doooo
To all the parents with sleepless nights
Sleepless nights
Tie your kids home to their beds
Clean their heads
To all the kids with heroin eyes
Don't do it, don't do it
Because it's not, not what it seems
No, no it's not, not what it seems
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
(Uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh)
Don't do it, don't do it
Inject your soul with liberty
It's free, it's free
To all the kids with heroin eyes
Don't do it, don't do it
Because it's not, not what it seems
No, no it's not, not what it seems
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
(Uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh)
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do doooo
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do doooo
To all the parents with sleepless nights
Sleepless nights
Tie your kids home to their beds
Clean their heads
To all the kids with heroin eyes
Don't do it, don't do it
Because it's not, not what it seems
No, no it's not, not what it seems
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
Salvation, salvation, salvation is free
(Uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh)
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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(sigh) one of the things i like about the cranberries is that they're out there making messages about society, life, government, etc. plus, she has an awesome voice.
this song speaks not only of the negative repercussions of drug use, but of the free gift of salvation given to us by Christ.
This song is about not tying yourself to drugs. It costs nothing to be clean, in all senses of the word.
um, no. this song has an obvious meaning. STAY CLEAN. It's free, it's easy to not start as a teen and parents should help keep their kids off of drugs. This sense of inner peace (salvation) is free. You don't need the drugs (or any other un natural disturbance) to free you
Not heard this version only heard the Senses Fail, but clear from the lyrics a strong anti-drug song, but it does it withot being cheesy.
Will have to look his one up
Awesome, finally a song about NOT DOING drugs. :) luv this song by the way. :)
nah, this song is about not doing drugs becuse they will fuck up your life, adn you can have just as much fun sober as u can high!
this song means that drug is not necessary to be happy
I love this song!! Another great song, from another great album! Definitely about steering clear of drugs, and she's telling parents to do whatever they have to do to get their kids off them...Or, to prevent them from getting into the drugs in the first place... MaggieMichelle
I absolutely LOVE the video for this.