Suspect Device
Stiff Little Fingers Lyrics
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It's a suspect device that's left two thousand dead
Their solutions are our problems
They put up the wall
On each side, time and prime us
Make sure we get fuck all
They play their games of power
They cut and mark the pack
They deal us to the bottom
But what do they put back?
Don't believe them
Don't believe them
Don't be bitten twice
You gotta suss, suss, suss, suss, suss, suss
Suss, suspect device
They take away our freedom
In the name of liberty
Why can't they all just clear off
Why can't they let us be
They make us feel indebted
For saving us from hell
And then they put us through it
It's time the bastards fell
Don't believe them
Don't believe them
Don't be bitten twice
You gotta suss, suss, suss, suss, suss, suss
Suss, suspect device
Don't believe them
Don't believe them
I tell ya, question everything you're told
Just take a look around you
At the bitterness and spite
Why can't we take over and try to put it right?
Please don't believe us
Don't believe us
Don't be bitten twice
You gotta suss, suss, suss, suss, suss, suss
Suss, suspect device
We're a suspect device if we do what we're told
But a suspect device can score an own goal
I'm a suspect device the Army can't defuse
You're a suspect device they know they can't refuse
We're gonna blow up in their face!
Suspect Device by Stiff Little Fingers is a powerful anti-war song that talks about the dangers of blindly following authority without questioning their actions. The song opens with the disturbing image of "inflammable material planted in my head," referring to the propaganda and indoctrination that governments use to control their citizens. The "suspect device" mentioned in the lyrics has been responsible for "two thousand dead," likely in reference to the endless wars and conflicts that have caused countless casualties.
The song goes on to critique those in power who claim to have solutions to problems but only end up creating new ones. They put up walls and divide people, cutting and marking the pack, and ultimately dealing the common people to the bottom. The lyrics challenge listeners to not be fooled by such leaders and not to be bitten twice. The repeated refrain of "Suss, suspect device" urges people to question and investigate the motives of those in power.
The song also touches upon the loss of freedom in the name of safety and liberty. The chorus asks why those in power can't let people be and instead make them feel indebted for saving them from hell. The song ends with the declaration that they will blow up in their face, a warning to those in power that their actions have consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Inflammable material, planted in my head
I have been taught ideas that could incite violence and rebellion
It's a suspect device that's left two thousand dead
The authorities have used violent measures that have caused many casualties
Their solutions are our problems
The authorities' attempts to solve problems lead to more problems for the people
They put up the wall
The authorities create barriers that prevent progress
On each side, time and prime us
The authorities use time and pressure to manipulate and control us
Make sure we get fuck all
The authorities ensure that we get nothing of value or significance
They play their games of power
The authorities use their position to manipulate and control others
They cut and mark the pack
The authorities divide and categorize individuals for their own ends
They deal us to the bottom
The authorities exploit and abuse those at the bottom of society
But what do they put back?
The authorities do not give anything of value or benefit back to society
Don't believe them
There is reason to distrust the authorities
Don't be bitten twice
Don't make the same mistake again
You gotta suss, suss, suss, suss, suss, suss
You have to thoroughly investigate and scrutinize everything
Suss, suspect device
Distrust anything that could lead to violent action or oppression
They take away our freedom
The authorities restrict our freedoms in the name of safety or control
In the name of liberty
The authorities justify their actions in the name of freedom, but it is a false justification
Why can't they all just clear off
Why can't the authorities just leave us alone?
Why can't they let us be
Why can't the authorities let us determine our own fate?
They make us feel indebted
The authorities make us feel that we owe them for protecting us from danger
For saving us from hell
The authorities claim to have rescued us, but they actually have caused more problems and hardship
And then they put us through it
The authorities cause us to endure suffering, even when we do not deserve it
It's time the bastards fell
It's time for the authorities to be overthrown
I tell ya, question everything you're told
You should not accept anything at face value; investigate and question everything
Just take a look around you
Observe the world and see the problems that exist
At the bitterness and spite
See the conflict and hostility that the authorities cause
Why can't we take over and try to put it right?
Why can't we work together to solve the problems and create a better world?
Please don't believe us
Don't take our word for it; question us as well
We're a suspect device if we do what we're told
If we blindly obey the authorities, we become part of their oppressive system
But a suspect device can score an own goal
If we rebel violently and recklessly, we can cause harm to ourselves and others
I'm a suspect device the Army can't defuse
I am a symbol of resistance that cannot be easily quelled by the authorities
You're a suspect device they know they can't refuse
You are someone who cannot be easily influenced or controlled by the authorities
We're gonna blow up in their face!
Our resistance will ultimately cause the authorities to be overthrown
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAKE BURNS, GORDON ARCHER OGILVIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind