Lyrics of
Overkill

Overkill was written by Colin Hay, the lead singer of the band Men at Work. It reflects on the anxieties and stress that came with the bands sudden fame. The lyrics discuss insomnia and the overthinking that can take over ones mind at night.

e ---x------x-------x------x------2-------0-------0-------2------2------3---
B ---7------7-------5------5------3-------3-------2-------2------2------3---

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 its just my imagination

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

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day
e ------------------------ ---------------------- -------------------------
B --3-----------3/5---3--- --2---------------0--- --0h1----------1/3---1---
e ----------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------
B --0-------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------
e ----------------------------- --------------------------
B -------------3/5---3--------- ------------5\--3---------
e ----------------------- ------------------------- --------------------------
B --2----3--------------- ------------------------- --------------------------
e ----------------------- -------------------------- --------------------2--3-
B ----------------------- -------------------------- -----------2--3--5-------
e --5--7--9--10--12--10--12--12/14-- ------14--12p10-----10--10--------
B ---------------------------------- ----------------12----------12~~~-
e ---------9/10--10----9---7-- --5---------------- -----------------------
B --------11/12--12---10---8-- --7---------------- --3------3-------3--2--
e ------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
B ------------------- ---------0-------0----- --------------------2--
e ------------------------ ------------------------
B ----2h-3---------------- ------------------------

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 tha-at
I know will be alright
It's just overkill

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