Overkill

Album: Cargo (1983)
Charted: 21 3
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  • Overkill
    Men At Work

    I can't get to sleep
    I think about the implications
    Of diving in too deep
    And possibly the complications

    Especially at night
    I worry over situations
    I know will be alright
    Perhaps it's just imagination

    [Chorus]
    Day after day it reappears
    Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
    Ghosts appear and fade away

    Alone between the sheets
    Only brings exasperation
    It's time to walk the streets
    Smell the desperation

    At least there's pretty lights
    And though there's little variation
    It nullifies the night
    From overkill

    [Chorus]

    I can't get to sleep
    I think about the implications
    Of diving in too deep
    And possibly the complications

    Especially at night
    I worry over situation
    I know will be alright
    It's just overkill

    [Chorus] Writer/s: COLIN HAY
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 14

  • Jesspress from Maui Nui Hawaii Nei Loved their unique sound and voices from the start.My girlfriend at the time bought me a MAW t shirt good times great girlfriend, and pretty damn good band Aloha
  • Mark Donnelly from AustraliaIt's about social anxiety/social phobia and sleep deprivation...
  • James Wilson from Trenton, NjYet another song featured on Scrubs. Colin Hay is getting recognized as a solo performer because of that. Also a few of his songs have been on the Scrubs and Garden State soundtrack.
  • Tammy from San Diego, Cai loved the sequence on scrubs, it was awesome. this is such a wonderful song, either version (although the acoustic is my fave)
  • Vince from Salisbury, MdThe acoustic version has haunted me since the moment I heard it. It made me realize what a great song, musically and lyricly, this is.
  • Laura from Cork, IrelandThis song featured in the tv series Scrubs,episode "My Overkill", performing the song "Overkill", and in the episode. JD the main chracter is follwed by Colin Hay while he plays this song on an acoustic guitar. Colin is also found in the episode by playing guitar in the morge.
  • Madison from Norway, MeI saw Colin on tour with Ringo Starr a few years ago and his voice still sounds incredible!!
  • David from Deerfield Beach, FlPosted 11/27/2007. Men At Work's "Down Under" and "Who Can It Be Now" from 1982 were out & out 80's classics and worthy to be such, but I must say I consider their 1983 follow-up, "Overkill", to be my favorite by them. Actually this is one of my favorite songs of the entire 1980's. I love it's simultaneously pretty & haunting quality and its lead guitar solo. "...ghosts appear and fade away..." I always liked it.
  • Jim from Dayton, OhThe band "Lazlo Bane" re-worked a slower version of "Overkill" with Colin Hay guesting on vocals on the last verse in the late 90s.
  • Walther from San Jose, OtherIt is totally right that the acoustic version is better than the original, i've heard it a lot of times and still makes me feel a little strange inside. I like a lot the acoustic version from Scrubs Soundtrack (because there are another acoustic version from Colin 2003 album wich it is different, played with 2 guitars instead of 1).
  • John from Holland, PaThis song is featured prominently in an episode from the second season of the TV show "Scrubs" in which Colin Hay plays a dead guy who appears around the hospital singing an accoustic version...
  • Jack from Nova, DcI have heard both versions and I agree that the acoustic version is the best, although I think both rock. Colin Hay has a heavenly voice, he makes the song what it is by his voice. If you like this song, my other favorite by him is "Beautiful World" which has some powerful lyrics and great themes, and of course, Colin Hay's voice.
  • John from Levittown, NyOutstanding song about alienation. Hay's acoustic version is even more haunting thant the original and must be heard by anyone who likes the original
  • Patrick from Isanti, MnI am still a huge Men at Work fan!
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