Over and Out
Pantera (80s) Lyrics


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Slaving for eternity
Aiming for construction
Reckless crew abandon me
Bringing on destruction

Primal needs
Annoying ways
Incapacitation
A legacy of submankind

Who seem to rule this nation
Out of touch with your life
Can' t you see the signs
For me to know

Can you find out
Read betwen the lines
No way out
When the cat goes away

Over and out
The mice come out and play
Unrelentless trilogy
Asking to accept them

Tempers flare
Screams are heard
To uphold the profession
Time and time and times again

I will not play your game
I ask you once a billion times
To keep your life the same
No way out

When the cat goes away
Over and out
The mice come out and play
No way out

The price that you must pay




Over and out
Every dog has its day

Overall Meaning

The song Over and Out by Pantera speaks to the struggle of the everyman and the unrelenting pressure of societal expectations. It begins with the singer feeling trapped in a cycle of working hard for eternity, constructing something without really understanding why, and eventually being left alone to face the destruction caused by those around him. The lyrics go on to suggest that the primal needs and annoying ways of those who seem to rule society have created a legacy of submankind - individuals who are out of touch with their own lives and unable to see the signs of their own destruction.


The song also speaks to the frustration of feeling powerless in the face of these societal pressures. The chorus "No way out, when the cat goes away, over and out, the mice come out and play" suggests that without someone in authority to keep them in check, people will indulge in their most base instincts and ultimately self-destruct. The singer refuses to take part in this game and asks others to keep their lives the same, but ultimately realizes that there is no escape from the destructive forces of society.


Line by Line Meaning

Slaving for eternity
Working tirelessly with no end in sight


Aiming for construction
Working towards building something great


Reckless crew abandon me
Irresponsible people leaving me behind to face the consequences


Bringing on destruction
Causing chaos and ruin


Primal needs
Basic instincts


Annoying ways
Irritating behavior


Incapacitation
Being rendered unable to move or act


A legacy of submankind
A lineage of inferior and debased individuals


Who seem to rule this nation
Those who hold power in charge of the country


Out of touch with your life
Disconnected from your reality


Can' t you see the signs
Are you unable to recognize the indicators?


For me to know
Something that I'm aware of, but you're not


Can you find out
Can you discover the truth?


Read betwen the lines
Look closely for hidden or implied meanings


No way out
There's no escape or exit


When the cat goes away
When the one in charge is absent


Over and out
Communication has ended


The mice come out and play
Opportunistic individuals take advantage of the situation


Unrelentless trilogy
Three continuous and unyielding things


Asking to accept them
Requesting that these things be acknowledged


Tempers flare
Emotions ignite and become heated


Screams are heard
Loud cries and shouts can be heard


To uphold the profession
To maintain a certain standard in one's work


Time and time and times again
Repeatedly, with no end in sight


I will not play your game
I refuse to participate in your scheme


I ask you once a billion times
I have requested this countless times


To keep your life the same
To maintain the status quo


The price that you must pay
The consequences that you will face


Every dog has its day
Everyone will eventually have their moment of glory




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Demonizer5134

I really have no idea why Pantera tried to hide from their 80's material; Power Metal contains some of their all time best work

@kevinsepe2881

Ask Darrell when you get to heaven perhaps

@aarontrainor9918

last first because is Glam Metal

@gmatsue84

Because most of it actually sucks, and this song is an exception

@derekmartinez7134

This album has some very chorus driven songs but this song and Death Trap have some of Dimes most uninhibited lead work, and I feel the glam tag was only because of how they dressed at the time, but seriously I wouldn't expect anything different from Texas in the late 80's.

@dawidnehir9389

@Derek Martinez All four 80s albums are awesome

54 More Replies...

@IntoTheMindlessAbyss

I could totally hear the Judas Priest influence in the vocals. This has to be my favorite album from them. A real gem to listen to. R.I.P. Dimebag

@alexferus1984

+IntoTheMindlessAbyss indeed

@chasemiller7974

And Vinnie.

@jimihendrix9316

IntoTheMindlessAbyss sounds more like a megadeth and bit of Metallica and a sneaky bit of anthrax

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