Cop
Swans Lyrics
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Nothing beats humiliation.
Humiliation's a disease.
Nothing beats humiliation.
Nothing beats them like a cop with a club.
Nothing beats them like a cop in jail.
Nobody beats your head in like a cop in a jail.
Nobody hurts you like a cop with a club.
Nobody rapes you like a cop with a club.
Nobody beats your body like a cop in jail.
Nobody burns their body like a cop.
Nobody burns your skin off like a cop in jail.
The heat hurts.
Humiliation's a disease.
The Swans song Cop is a dark and violent commentary on the abuse of power and violence perpetrated by law enforcement. The first line, "The punishment fits the crime," is spoken sarcastically, suggesting that in reality the punishment often does not fit the crime, and that law enforcement officers use excessive and brutal tactics to maintain control. The next line, "Nothing beats humiliation," is a disturbing assertion that humiliation is a powerful tool wielded by those in power, as it can psychologically break down and control those they are attempting to subjugate.
The repeated refrain, "Nothing beats them like a cop with a club" highlights the focus on the use of brutal force by law enforcement officers. The following lines describing the infliction of physical and sexual trauma suggest a disgust with the violent and coercive methods used by many police officers. The phrase "Nobody burns their body like a cop" is particularly haunting, evoking images of torture and abuse.
The closing lines of the song, "Nobody burns your skin off like a cop in jail/The heat hurts/Humiliation's a disease," bring together the themes of pain, trauma, and humiliation that pervade the entire song. The heat mentioned here might symbolize the fiery anger and the blistering hatred of the oppressed and the powerless who are subjected to such atrocities.
Line by Line Meaning
The punishment fits the crime.
It is right for someone to be punished according to their crime.
Nothing beats humiliation.
Humiliation is a form of punishment that can be worse than physical pain.
Humiliation's a disease.
Humiliation can have long-lasting negative effects on a person's mental and emotional well-being.
Nothing beats them like a cop with a club.
Police brutality can cause severe physical harm and trauma to individuals.
Nothing beats them like a cop in jail.
Police officers who abuse their power should be held accountable and face legal consequences.
Nobody beats your head in like a cop in a jail.
Police brutality in jail can lead to serious injuries, including head trauma.
Nobody hurts you like a cop with a club.
Police officers can cause extreme physical pain with the use of excessive force.
Nobody rapes you like a cop with a club.
Sexual assault by a police officer is a traumatic experience that can have long-lasting effects.
Nobody beats your body like a cop in jail.
Incarceration in abusive and violent prisons can cause physical harm and trauma.
Nobody burns their body like a cop.
Police brutality can take many forms, including the use of torturous methods such as burning.
Nobody burns your skin off like a cop in jail.
Police torture in jail can cause severe and permanent bodily harm, including burning.
The heat hurts.
The physical pain caused by police brutality can be intense and unbearable.
Humiliation's a disease.
Humiliation can be a form of psychological trauma that requires attention and care to heal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gaborbelakiraly5328
getting a McDonald's ad during this is priceless...
@suggsugg7177
Price is all it is.
@thatthingthatisaid65
buy it then
@jim_moonz9848
I got a levis jeans ad lmaooo
@adamoconnor8662
It's pretty ridiculous isn't it.
@adamoconnor8662
This is what Michael Gira would have wanted.
@nicknickson3650
this album got me through some tough labor jobs. Thank you Swans.
@TYKE4EVR
The most brutal album I’ve ever heard. It sounds like you’re being dragged into hell.
@shannonm.townsend1232
Now try the e.p. with crawl, raping a slave
@kingink1971
After that listen to their album called Filth and follow that one with Public Castration Is A Good Idea