Sabotage
野兽男孩(Beastie Boys) Lyrics


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I can't stand it, I know you planned it,
I'm gonna set it straight, this watergate.
I can't stand rockin' when I'm in here,
Cause your crystal ball ain't so crystal clear.
So, while you sit back and wonder why,
I got this fuckin' thorn in my side.
Oh my God, it's a mirage!
I'm tellin' y'all it's sabotage!

So listen up 'cause you can't say nothin'
You'll shut me down with a push of your button.
But I'm out, and I'm gone,
I'll tell you now I keep it on and on.

'Cause what you see you might not get,
And we can't bet, so don't you get souped yet.
You're schmeing on a thing that's a mirage,
I'm trying to tell you now it's sabotage!

Why! Our backs are now against the wall.
Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage,
Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage,
Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage,
Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage!

I can't stand it, I know you planned it,
I'm gonna set it straight this watergate.
But I can't stand rockin' when I'm in this place,
Because I feel disgrace because you're all in my face!
But make no mistakes and switch up my channel,
I'm buddy rich when I fly off the handle.




What could it be? It's a mirage,
You're scheming on a thing that's sabotage

Overall Meaning

In "Sabotage," Beastie Boys express their frustration with an unknown person or group that is trying to bring them down. The lyrics describe their attempts to set the record straight and expose the truth, but they feel like they are constantly being undermined. The mention of Watergate in the opening line is a reference to the political scandal of the same name, which involved covert activities by government officials to sabotage the Democratic Party's campaign for the 1972 presidential election.


The song's chorus, "I'm telling y'all it's sabotage," is an assertion of their belief that someone is intentionally trying to damage their career or reputation. The second verse suggests that this could be due to jealousy or petty rivalries, as the singer accuses the other party of "scheming on a thing that's a mirage." They warn their listeners to be cautious about what they believe and not to get "souped" by false promises.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't stand it, I know you planned it,
I can't tolerate it any longer, I'm aware of your plot,


I'm gonna set it straight, this watergate.
I will correct this situation, similar to the Watergate scandal.


I can't stand rockin' when I'm in here,
I dislike listening to these tunes in this environment,


Cause your crystal ball ain't so crystal clear.
Your predictions are not accurate or reliable,


So, while you sit back and wonder why,
As you ponder in confusion,


I got this fuckin' thorn in my side.
I'm bothered by an unresolved issue.


Oh my God, it's a mirage!
Oh no, it's an illusion or hallucination!


I'm tellin' y'all it's sabotage!
I'm warning you all that this is a deliberate attempt at destruction.


So listen up 'cause you can't say nothin'
Pay attention since you cannot speak up,


You'll shut me down with a push of your button.
You can easily silence or ignore me.


But I'm out, and I'm gone,
But I'm leaving and won't stick around,


I'll tell you now I keep it on and on.
I assure you that I will persist.


'Cause what you see you might not get,
Because appearances can be deceiving,


And we can't bet, so don't you get souped yet.
We cannot be certain, so don't get too excited yet.


You're schmeing on a thing that's a mirage,
You're plotting something based on an illusion,


I'm trying to tell you now it's sabotage!
I am attempting to convey that it's a deliberate attempt at destruction.


Why! Our backs are now against the wall.
Why are we in such a difficult situation?


Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage,
All of you, pay attention; it's a deliberate attempt at destruction.


Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage,
All of you, pay attention; it's a deliberate attempt at destruction.


Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage,
All of you, pay attention; it's a deliberate attempt at destruction.


Listen all of y'all, it's a sabotage!
All of you, pay attention; it's a deliberate attempt at destruction.


I can't stand it, I know you planned it,
I can't tolerate it any longer, I'm aware of your plot.


I'm gonna set it straight this watergate.
I will correct this situation, similar to the Watergate scandal.


But I can't stand rockin' when I'm in this place,
But I dislike listening to these tunes in this location,


Because I feel disgrace because you're all in my face!
Because I feel humiliated that all of you are in my personal space!


But make no mistakes and switch up my channel,
Don't be mistaken, and don't disrupt my concentration,


I'm buddy rich when I fly off the handle.
I'm very wealthy and famous when I become uncontrollable.


What could it be? It's a mirage,
What is it? It's an illusory image.


You're scheming on a thing that's sabotage.
You're planning something that's deliberate destruction.




Contributed by Luke E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@NiscosFun

Don't lie, this wasn't in your recommended. You searched for this

@tittlemanscrest420

you're damn right

@emiplayz91

Correct, I searched for this masterpiece

@Fratananical

I know you planned it.

@TroutNTrees

accurate

@tffp_727

Yes

673 More Replies...

@samgod

Can we just appreciate how beautifully "Sabotage" incorporates metal, punk, rock and rap into a whole new experience?

@mitchellbutarch8347

It sure does

@sampineda2369

And electronic

@moralesarmando5071

Fuck yeah man be my guest!

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