To date, Overkill has released nineteen studio albums, an album of cover songs, two EPs, one demo tape and three live albums. They were one of the first thrash metal bands to sign to a major label (having signed to Atlantic Records in 1986), and rose to fame as part of the genre's movement of the mid-to-late 1980s, along with the "Big Four" (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax) as well as Exodus and Testament. Overkill achieved their first mainstream success with its second studio album and Atlantic debut, Taking Over (1987), which peaked at number 191 on the Billboard 200. The band's next five studio albums—Under the Influence (1988), The Years of Decay (1989), Horrorscope (1991), I Hear Black (1993) and W.F.O. (1994)—were also successful on the Billboard charts, with the latter two cracking the top ten on the Top Heatseekers chart. Following their split from Atlantic in 1995, Overkill went through some label changes, but continued to enjoy moderate underground success, particularly in Europe and Japan. The band experienced a resurgence of popularity in the U.S. during the 2010s, with three of their studio albums released that decade—The Electric Age (2012), White Devil Armory (2014) and The Grinding Wheel (2017)—reaching the top 100 on the charts. Overkill has sold over 16 million records worldwide; they are also estimated to have sold more than 625,000 records in the United States since the beginning of the SoundScan era.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overkill_(band)
Studio albums
Feel the Fire (1985)
Taking Over (1987)
Under the Influence (1988)
The Years of Decay (1989)
Horrorscope (1991)
I Hear Black (1993)
W.F.O. (1994)
The Killing Kind (1996)
From the Underground and Below (1997)
Necroshine (1999)
Bloodletting (2000)
Killbox 13 (2003)
ReliXIV (2005)
Immortalis (2007)
Ironbound (2010)
The Electric Age (2012)
White Devil Armory (2014)
The Grinding Wheel (2017)
The Wings of War (2019)
Scorched (2023)
Use Your Head
Overkill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lookin' for some dirty action.
Leave 'em on the floor,
Leave 'em wantin' more.
Use it for the prime reaction.
Workin' like a dog,
Tired cold, and bored.
Alcohol and sluts,
Pull me from my rut,
Second only to the attraction.
You! got a lot to learn.
Your head's up your ass!
You! got a lot to learn.
You got no class.
No class.
Take me to the top, never never stop.
So pretty what's your name, where ya from.
I see you like the band,
Don't leave me with my hand,
Stick around I'll throw you a bone.
No class.
Crack another beer, sit on over here.
What I need I can't do alone.
Think that I'm in love, sittin' in your glove,
What's your name, here I come out, I'm done.
Why don't you use your head.
The song "Use Your Head" by Overkill is a hard rock anthem about a person who is seeking a wild and exciting lifestyle by indulging in alcohol, casual sex and rock 'n' roll. The beginning of the song paints a picture of someone who is living life in overdrive, making money on the side and looking for dirty action. The singer has a reputation for leaving people on the ground, wanting more, and uses prime reactions to keep things exciting. The song then turns to the general exhaustion and boredom of work and the need to find something that stimulates to satisfaction. The singer is pulled by the attraction of indulging in alcohol and sex and being second only to that excitement.
The chorus then highlights the title of the song and gives a nod to those who need to start using their head. The subject is someone who has a lot to learn and exhibits no class, due to their actions and pursuits. Throughout the song, the lyrics paint a picture of someone who is engaging in the wild side of life without much thought to consequences, and while they are having fun, it is at the expense of their personal growth and intellectual development. The iconic phrase "Use your head" is a plea for the singer and anyone who is listening to start thinking about their choices, consequences and how their actions impact themselves and others around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Set in overdrive, makin' money on the side.
Pushing myself to the limit to work and earn more money on the side.
Lookin' for some dirty action.
Seeking excitement and thrills, possibly of a questionable or immoral nature.
Leave 'em on the floor,
Leave 'em wantin' more.
Leaving someone or something in a state of satisfaction and desiring more.
Use it for the prime reaction.
Using something to illicit the best possible response or outcome.
Workin' like a dog,
Tired cold, and bored.
Working extremely hard, feeling exhausted, and lacking stimulation or interest in current activities.
Stimulate me to satisfaction.
Craving something that excites or motivates me to feel fulfilled.
Alcohol and sluts,
Pull me from my rut,
Second only to the attraction.
Indulging in alcohol and promiscuous behavior / people to escape the monotony or unhappiness of one's current situation.
You! got a lot to learn.
Your head's up your ass!
You! got a lot to learn.
You got no class.
Belittling someone for being ignorant, uneducated, or having bad manners or taste.
Take me to the top, never never stop.
Aiming to reach the peak of success and not slowing down until that goal has been achieved.
So pretty what's your name, where ya from.
I see you like the band,
Don't leave me with my hand,
Stick around I'll throw you a bone.
Flirting with someone who catches the singer's attention, offering to keep them entertained, and implying they will be rewarded for doing so.
Crack another beer, sit on over here.
What I need I can't do alone.
Craving companionship and seeking to ease loneliness or dissatisfaction through alcohol and social interactions.
Think that I'm in love, sittin' in your glove,
What's your name, here I come out, I'm done.
Feeling infatuated with someone, but committing to them only for a short time before moving on.
Why don't you use your head.
Encouraging someone to think more carefully about their actions and decisions, possibly because the singer feels they are making poor choices.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mreddie574
Set in overdrive, makin' money on the side.
Lookin' for some dirty action.
Leave 'em on the floor,
Leave 'em wantin' more.
Use it for the prime reaction.
Workin' like a dog,
Tired cold, and bored.
Stimulate me to satisfaction.
Alcohol and sluts,
Pull me from my rut,
Second only to the attraction.
YOU! Got a lot to learn.
Your head's up your ass!
YOU! Got a lot to learn.
You got no class.
No class.
Take me to the top, never never stop.
So pretty what's your name, where ya from.
I see you like the band,
Don't leave me with my hand,
Stick around I'll throw you a bone.
No class.
Crack another beer, sit on over here.
What I need I can't do alone.
Think that I'm in love, sittin' in your glove,
What's your name, here I come out, I'm done.
Why don't you use your head.
@catweazlebaggins9716
That Bobby Blitz cackle at the end....classic.
@user-pf7qg9lc6p
Overkill's pearlest album, diamond!
@dr.juerdotitsgo5119
Shit fucking yeah!
@Rebelxfree
Good to hear this again after all these years . I have a vinyl copy promo from university of Michigan radio station bought in the late 80's . I loved this tune ...
@atweightsandcakessig7812
felinethug 😂 Dude I have the cassette- with lyrics included. Love these guys & this genre of music. Stands up 30 plus years later!
@theMETALDOVE
always loved this track...killer tune...never heard it live though...seen them too many times to count, but still no "use your head". sadly, lost in the catalog of OVERKILL classics.
@mottosierra1372
Its included live on the fuck you ep
@wayneperdash9874
I got this song from taking over, rocked this when I was in highschool and was a fire fighter at the same time
@1997rodman
So fucking heavy,relentless,true honest emotion Overkill incarnite >:)
@user-wz5ft2uk7g
самая лучшая песняра Овера детство вспомнил. Отлично!!!