(Hey)
(This is a journey)
(Journey into sound)
(Would you join me please in welcome-in-ing)
(Riddim and full a culture it-)

I got so much trouble on my mind, fefuse to lose
Here's your ticket, hear the drummer get wicked
The crew to you to push the back to Black attack
So I sack and jack and slapped the Mac
Now I'm ready to mic it (you know I like it), huh
Hear my favoritism roll, oh, never be a brother like me go solo
Laser, anesthesia, maze ya, ways to blaze your brain and train ya
The way I'm living, forgiven, what I'm giving up
X on the flex, hit me now, I don't know about later
As for now, I know how to avoid the paranoid
Man, I've had it up to here
Gear, I wear got 'em going in fear
Rhetoric said and read just a bit ago
Not quitting, though, signed the hard rhymer
Work to keep from getting jerked, checking some ways (ways)
To way back in the better days
Raw metaphysically bold, never followed a code
Still dropped a load
Never question what I am God knows
Huh, 'cause it's coming from the heart
What I got better get some, get on up, hustler of culture
Snake bitten, been spit in the face, huh
But the rhymes keep fitting
Respects been giving, how's ya living?
Now I can't protect a paid-off defect
Check the record and reckon an intentional wreck
Played off as some intellect
Made the call, took the fall, broke the laws
Not my fault that they're falling off
Known as fair square throughout my years
So I growl at the living foul
Black to the bone, my home is your home
But welcome to the Terrordome

Come on down (get down)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it
Come on down (get down)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it
Come on down (get down)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it
Come on down, get down
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it (would you join me please in welcome-in-ing)

So long now, have a good trip
Yo, yo, who put this thing together, huh? Me
Me, that's who (get down)
Who I trust? Who I trust? (Come on, you can get it, get it, get it)
Me, that's who! (Get down, come on, you can get it, get it, get it))
Yo, who you trust, man? (Would you join me please in welcome-in-ing)

Subordinate terror, kicking off an era
Cold delivering pain
My '98 was 87' on a record, yo, so now I go Bronco
(Oh Chuck, they out to get us, man)
Oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh Chuck, they out to get us, man)
(Yo, we gotta go dust these boys off)
Crucifixion ain't no fiction, so-called chosen frozen
Apology made to whoever pleases
Still they got me like Jesus
I rather sing, bring, think, reminisce
'Bout a brother while I'm in sync
Every brother ain't a brother 'cause a color
Just as well could be undercover
Backstabbed, grabbed a flag
From the back of the lab
Told a Rab get off the rag
Sad to say I got sold down the river
Still some quiver when I deliver
Never to say I never know or had a clue
Word was Herb, plus hard on the boulevard
Lies, scandalizin', basing
Traits of hatin', celebrating with Satan?
I rope-a-dope the evil with righteous bobbing and weaving
And let the good get even
Come on down (come on)
But welcome to the Terrordome

Come on down (get down)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it (ahh, huh)
Come on down (get down) (yo, P.E.)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it (1990 and all that, all that, ah-ha)

Caught in the race against time, the pit and the pendulum
Check the rhythm and rhymes while I'm bending 'em
Snakes blowing up the lines of design (would you join me please in welcome-in-ing)
Trying to blind the science I'm sending 'em
How to fight the power, cannot run and hide
But it shouldn't be suicide
In a game a fool without the rules
Got a hell of a nerve to just criticize
Every brother ain't a brother 'cause a Black hand
Squeezed on Malcolm X the man
The shooting of Huey Newton
From a hand of a nigga, pulled the trigger

Come on down
Come on down (get down) (would you join me please in welcome-in-ing)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it

It's weak to speak and blame somebody else
When you destroy yourself
First nothing's worse than a mother's pain of a son slain in Bensonhurst
Can't wait for the state to decide the fate, so this jam I dedicate
Places with the racist faces, example of one of many cases
Greek weekend, speech I speak from a lesson learned in Virginia
I don't smile in the line of fire, I go wildin'
But it's on bass and drums and even violins
What ya do? Get ya head ready, instead of getting physically sweaty
When I get mad, I put it down on a pad, huh
Give ya something that ya never had
Controlling, fear of high rolling
God bless your soul and keep living
Never allowed, kicking it loud
Dropping a bomb, brain game, intellectual Vietnam
Move as a team, never move alone
But welcome to the Terrordome

Come on down (get down)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it (yo, look at you, look at you now)
(Ou ain't wanna listen to me) (get down)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it (now look at you)
(Didly-doot-doot, brrup, boo-boo-boo-boo, bing)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it (wow)
Come on, you can get it, get it, get it (boing)

Overall Meaning

Public Enemy's "Welcome to the Terrordome" is a powerful piece of social commentary that addresses the many injustices that continue to plague society today. The lyrics describe the singer's refusal to be defeated by these injustices despite the many struggles he faces. The song touches on themes of rebellion, culture, violence, and resistance.

The lyrics begin by stating that the singer has "so much trouble on [his] mind" but will not accept defeat. He describes himself as a hustler of culture and a snake bitten victim of prejudice. He also acknowledges the many struggles faced by black people at the time, including the attacks on Malcom X and Huey Newton. He ends the song by saying that he will never allow himself to be defeated, and that he and his people will stand together as a team.

One of the most powerful elements of the song is the repetition of the phrase "come on down." This phrase is used repeatedly throughout the song to offer an invitation to anyone who is willing to join the struggle. The message is clear: despite the many challenges, the singer invites anyone who is willing to join him in resistance and rebellion.

Overall, "Welcome to the Terrordome" is a powerful song that offers listeners a glimpse into the struggles faced by black people in America. Through its lyrics and powerful imagery, it encourages people to stand together and fight against the injustices that continue to plague society today.

Line by Line Meaning

(Hey)
The song is starting and calling out to the listeners.

(This is a journey)
The song is more than just music; it's a journey.

(Journey into sound)
The journey will take you through an experience of sound.

(Would you join me please in welcome-in-ing)
The listener is invited to join the journey and welcome the experience of sound.

(Riddim and full a culture it-)
The sound is filled with rhythm and culture.

I got so much trouble on my mind, fefuse to lose
I am struggling and facing challenges, but I won't give up.

Here's your ticket, hear the drummer get wicked
Join the journey and experience the energy of the drummer.

The crew to you to push the back to Black attack
The crew is pushing back against the attacks on Black people.

So I sack and jack and slapped the Mac
I am preparing and getting ready for my part in the journey.

Now I'm ready to mic it (you know I like it), huh
I'm prepared to grab the mic and perform because I love it.

Hear my favoritism roll, oh, never be a brother like me go solo
Listen to me do what I love because I am unique and one-of-a-kind.

Laser, anesthesia, maze ya, ways to blaze your brain and train ya
The sound will be intense and might even alter your mind.

The way I'm living, forgiven, what I'm giving up
I'm living my life my way, forgiving those who wrong me, and letting go of things that hold me back.

X on the flex, hit me now, I don't know about later
I'm giving it my all now because I don't know what the future holds.

As for now, I know how to avoid the paranoid
I'm not letting paranoia get to me because I know how to avoid it.

Man, I've had it up to here
I'm fed up and frustrated.

Gear, I wear got 'em going in fear
My appearance intimidates people.

Rhetoric said and read just a bit ago
I'm referencing something I read or heard recently.

Not quitting, though, signed the hard rhymer
I'm not giving up and signed as a dedicated rapper.

Work to keep from getting jerked, checking some ways (ways)
I work hard to avoid getting taken advantage of and evaluate my options.

To way back in the better days
I long for the past when things were better.

Raw metaphysically bold, never followed a code
I'm brave and unconventional and never followed a set of rules.

Still dropped a load
I'm still carrying my burden but moving forward.

Never question what I am God knows
I know who I am and don't question my purpose.

Huh, 'cause it's coming from the heart
What I'm expressing is genuine and heartfelt.

What I got better get some, get on up, hustler of culture
What I have, you should try to obtain too, and I'm an advocate for culture and creativity.

Snake bitten, been spit in the face, huh
I've been wronged and hurt before.

But the rhymes keep fitting
But my rap abilities remain strong.

Respects been giving, how's ya living?
People show me respect, but I want to know how they are doing too.

Now I can't protect a paid-off defect
I can't protect someone who is corrupt and paid off.

Check the record and reckon an intentional wreck
Look at the facts and see that something was done intentionally and caused damage.

Played off as some intellect
Someone is trying to come off as intelligent to cover up their wrongdoings.

Made the call, took the fall, broke the laws
Someone made a bad decision, suffered the consequences, and broke the law.

Not my fault that they're falling off
I'm not responsible for the downfall of someone else.

Known as fair square throughout my years
I have a reputation for being just and honorable.

So I growl at the living foul
I call out people who are being dishonest or unethical.

Black to the bone, my home is your home
I am proud to be Black, and my home is open to others.

But welcome to the Terrordome
But beware, because the world can be a dangerous place.

Come on down (get down)
Join me in the journey and get ready to party.

It's weak to speak and blame somebody else
It's cowardly to place the blame on others.

When you destroy yourself
You have no one to blame but yourself for your own downfall.

First nothing's worse than a mother's pain of a son slain in Bensonhurst
A mother losing her son to violence is one of the worst things that can happen.

Can't wait for the state to decide the fate, so this jam I dedicate
I'm not waiting for the state to act, so I'm dedicating a song to the cause.

Places with the racist faces, example of one of many cases
There are many places that exhibit acts of racism and discrimination.

Greek weekend, speech I speak from a lesson learned in Virginia
I'm referencing a speech I made during a Greek Weekend that was inspired by a lesson I learned in Virginia.

I don't smile in the line of fire, I go wildin'
I won't back down, and instead, I'll fight back with force.

Controlling, fear of high rolling
I am in control and not afraid of success.

God bless your soul and keep living
I wish you the best in life and hope you keep living.

Never allowed, kicking it loud
I won't be silenced and will continue to speak out boldly.

Dropping a bomb, brain game, intellectual Vietnam
I'm dropping knowledge and intellect, which is like a war for people's minds.

Move as a team, never move alone
I advocate for teamwork and not going through life alone.

(Ou ain't wanna listen to me) (get down)
You didn't want to listen to me before, but now I'm telling you to get down and join the journey.

(now look at you)
You're here now and ready to join the party.

(Didly-doot-doot, brrup, boo-boo-boo-boo, bing)
This sound is funky and fun, and everyone is enjoying themselves.

(wow)
This journey is amazing and breathtaking.

(boing)
The sound is playful and lively, making everyone smile.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Carlton Ridenhour, Keith M. Boxley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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