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 see the clouds that move across the sky
I see the wind that moves the clouds away
It moves the clouds over by the building
I pick the building that I want to live in
I smell the pine trees and the peaches in the woods
I see the pine cones that fall by the highway
That's the highway that goes to the building
I pick the building that I want to live in
It's over there, it's over there
My building has every convenience
It's gonna make life easy for me
It's gonna be easy to get things done
I will relax alone with my loved ones
Loved ones, loved ones visit the building,
Take the highway, park and come up and see me
I'll be working, working but if you come visit
I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important
Don't you worry 'bout me
I wouldn't worry about me
Don't you worry 'bout me
Don't you worry 'bout me
I see the states, across this big nation
I see the laws made in Washington, D.C.
I think of the ones I consider my favorites
I think of the people that are working for me
Some civil servants are just like my loved ones
They work so hard and they try to be strong
I'm a lucky guy to live in my building
They own the buildings to help them along
It's over there, it's over there
My building has every convenience
It's gonna make life easy for me
It's gonna be easy to get things done
I will relax along with my loved ones
Loved ones, loved ones visit the building
Take the highway, park and come up and see me
I'll be working, working but if you come visit
I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important
I wouldn't worry 'bout
I wouldn't worry about me
Don't you worry 'bout me
Don't you worry 'bout me...
I see the wind that moves the clouds away
It moves the clouds over by the building
I pick the building that I want to live in
I smell the pine trees and the peaches in the woods
I see the pine cones that fall by the highway
That's the highway that goes to the building
I pick the building that I want to live in
It's over there, it's over there
My building has every convenience
It's gonna make life easy for me
It's gonna be easy to get things done
I will relax alone with my loved ones
Loved ones, loved ones visit the building,
Take the highway, park and come up and see me
I'll be working, working but if you come visit
I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important
Don't you worry 'bout me
I wouldn't worry about me
Don't you worry 'bout me
Don't you worry 'bout me
I see the states, across this big nation
I see the laws made in Washington, D.C.
I think of the ones I consider my favorites
I think of the people that are working for me
Some civil servants are just like my loved ones
They work so hard and they try to be strong
I'm a lucky guy to live in my building
They own the buildings to help them along
It's over there, it's over there
My building has every convenience
It's gonna make life easy for me
It's gonna be easy to get things done
I will relax along with my loved ones
Loved ones, loved ones visit the building
Take the highway, park and come up and see me
I'll be working, working but if you come visit
I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important
I wouldn't worry 'bout
I wouldn't worry about me
Don't you worry 'bout me
Don't you worry 'bout me...
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Don't Worry About The Government Lyrics as written by David Byrne
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"alone with my loved ones" = "along with my loved ones"
"they own the buildings" = "they all need buildings"
I have to laugh about people thinking this is satirical because it is a blatant attempt to impose their own political biases upon it. David Byrne grew up in suburban Maryland in which there are a lot of government workers, like his parents, and has these type of communities, like Columbia. Hardly a criticism, it is more a celebration of the unsung and unthanked people that make the country run.
You hit the nail right on the head with that. I mean seriously, why would David Byrne write a song that's some ironic delusion about the government? He's been connected to it personally most of his life, so why would he degrade it?
This song makes me happy. I get a very nice vibe from it. Talking about living a good life in your own building, seeing your loved ones when they come down to visit, just enjoying everything. It's so cute.
I did think the last few verses sounded ironic, but can't really pursue that thought. I just enjoy the sound of the song.
So satirical. Pure genius.
Haha, I have to agree. My favorite lines are these:<br /> <br /> I see the states, across this big nation<br /> I see the laws made in Washington, D.C.<br /> I think of the ones I consider my favorites<br /> I think of the people that are working for me<br /> <br /> Some civil servants are just like my loved ones<br /> They work so hard and they try to be strong<br /> <br /> I just think of how hilarious and ironic those statements are, at least coming out of David Byrne's mouth. For example, I think that there are a lot of people in this country that are happy go lucky, and simultaneously get their panties up in a bunch if people dare question whether or not the U.S. is the greatest country in the world, yet are content with everything that's going on. I also think in this whole thing he's kind of sending up how "great" we think industrialization and urbanization are, we ignore how mundane and separated from nature we are...but hey, at least we can see it from the highway so we know it's out there, even if we never bother to visit because after all, we have all these great buildings!
Worry about the government.
My favorite... Irony 15 years before it was trendy!
I love this song!!! Here's a video interpretation that you may enjoy (a nice addition to an all-around brilliant song): video.google.com/videoplay
Is the best moment of them on stage.
It's just a song about a simple guy, with little joys. I always imagine a low-ranking government employee that sees all these people running around him do hectic trying to do their jobs that they're employed to do by the public of which he is a part. I think it's hugely satirical in a manner of saying "look all it takes to please these people." Just a little naivete and a building.
There seems to be some discussion about whether this song is ironic or not. I think it\'s both and it\'s intended that way. It reflects the naivety of living the ideal suburban life, and in a way it also celebrates that naivety. The comfort of conformity, while being aware that it\'s artificial. A theme that often returns in Byrne\'s lyrics.