Edge Of The World

Album: The Real Thing (1989)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • With lyrics by lead singer Mike Patton, this song is about a pedophile on the loose for little kids. Bass player Billy Gould, keyboard player Roddy Bottum and drummer Mike Bordin composed the music. Gould explained how this song came about: "The way we write is visual. We start by describing a scene to one another. Say there's a guy in a beat-up Cadillac with ripped upholstery. Empty Kentucky Fried Chicken boxes and malt liquor bottles in the back. And there's a baby seat. In fact, that image became 'Edge Of The World.' Mutated a little on the way."

Comments: 10

  • Nunya Beezness from OklahomaThis is the theme song of the GOP
  • Raven from Somewhere@Luke - The way you wrote about the song is kind of the way a little kid would be caught too. Getting sucked in without knowing what it's all about.
  • The Birds from NyDoes anyone have any interview info or otherwise, could he have also been talking about all the sick F___ rockstars like Axl and Steven Tyler?
  • Luke from Manchester, Uk"Anonymous", Biden's song would be "you lost, deal with it".
    Anyone else notice how the gutless Republicans always go unnamed?
  • AnonymousJoe Biden’s song
  • Isabel from MinnesotaI like to imagine that this is about Anthony Kiedis, though it isn’t I just think it’s funny to imagine
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjDoes anyone know where I could find the "We Care A Lot" album at a reasonable price? (I'll probably have to get the cassette or vinyl or download it).
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjWho plays the sax in the outro?
  • Luke from Manchester, EnglandThis song, as dodgy as the lyrics are, is one of the finest songs on the planet... It sucks you in without you knowing what it's about and Patton sings with such conviction too...
  • Valerie from Brooklyn , Nyomg i heart this so song!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.