Murder
-Bad Religion Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you didn't know your world's a pile of shit
Listen to a riddle that'll tickle every bit of it

Ha ha ha!

Ape shall not murder, ape wasn't so sure
Bad ape, you made a mistake
Annihilation in a cannibal war
Well, cultivation might have served you
Might have raised you up unscathed
If you had called that fucker by its name...

Did you listen to the arbiter's beck and call?
Did you find what you were looking for or not at all?

Not at all!

Ape shall not murder, ape take the cure
Bad ape you made a mistake
Annihilation in a cannibal war
Culture might have cured you
And raised you up unscathed
If you had called that fucker by its name...

Say the name!




Say the name!
Say the name!

Overall Meaning

"Murder in 2-3" by Bad Religion is a punk rock song with lyrics that address the idea of humanity's animalistic tendencies for violence and aggression. The song starts off by stating that if you didn't already know that the world we live in is a pile of crap, then listen to the song because it will expose the true nature of the world. The main theme of the song revolves around the idea that humans, because of their animalistic instincts and tendency towards violence, are incapable of living in peace and harmony. The title of the song "Murder in 2-3" is an allusion to the homicide rate of a specific neighborhood in Los Angeles, indicating that the song is about the violent human nature that leads to crime and destruction in society.


The lyrics describe how humans are not so different from apes, as they share similar instincts which lead to violence and destruction. The line "Ape shall not murder, ape wasn't so sure" reflects how even though apes have the capacity for aggression, they are less likely to act on it than humans. The chorus of the song, with the repetition of "Say the name," emphasizes the importance of calling out the source of the problem. The idea is that if we want to change society and end the cycle of violence, we need to recognize the problem for what it is and address it directly.


Overall, "Murder in 2-3" is a song that deals with the concept of humanity's primal instincts for violence and aggression, and how these tendencies lead to the destruction and suffering in society. The lyrics emphasize the need to address the problem head-on and take responsibility for our actions, so as to bring about a more peaceful and harmonious world for all.


Line by Line Meaning

If you didn't know your world's a pile of shit
The singer points out the unpleasant reality of the world we inhabit and suggests that many people are oblivious to it.


Listen to a riddle that'll tickle every bit of it
The singer suggests that there is a deeper truth to be revealed, and encourages the listener to pay attention to the lyrics and engage with the message.


Ape shall not murder, ape wasn't so sure
The singer invokes the idea that humans are evolved from apes and have a responsibility to not engage in destructive behavior, but acknowledges that humans are imperfect beings who struggle with this concept.


Bad ape, you made a mistake
The singer admonishes those who engage in violent or destructive behavior, and reminds them that there are consequences for their actions.


Annihilation in a cannibal war
The singer references the idea of humans metaphorically consuming one another in a brutal power struggle, with no regard for the damage they inflict.


Well, cultivation might have served you
The singer suggests that a focus on personal and societal growth and improvement could help individuals and communities rise above conflict and violence.


Might have raised you up unscathed
If people had chosen a path of growth and mutual support instead of waging war, the damage and hurt inflicted on all sides could have been avoided.


If you had called that fucker by its name...
The singer implies that humanity could better address societal problems and violent conflicts if it was more honest about the causes and motivations behind them.


Did you listen to the arbiter's beck and call?
The singer suggests that there are those who serve as mediators in disputes and conflicts, and those who refuse to listen to their advice or guidance may suffer the consequences of their stubbornness.


Did you find what you were looking for or not at all?
The singer questions the motives behind violent action, whether people are seeking to gain power, wealth, or control, or if they simply lash out in anger and frustration.


Ape take the cure
The singer makes another reference to humans as evolved from apes, and suggests that there is a remedy or solution to the problem of violence and conflict if people choose to embrace it.


Say the name!
The singer encourages people to be honest and direct about the causes and consequences of violence and conflict, rather than shying away from unpleasant truths.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@badmonkey2222

Just sickens me physically and makes me so angry every time I hear about one of these cases where these dirt bags think they're owed something by a woman or just think they have a right to take it, nobody has a right to put their hands on anybody much less sexually assault them harm them or murder them. Need to man up and deal with it I'm just going to stop before I get banned from YouTube for saying something I shouldn't.

@Lizablue0608

You’re fine..I agree.. 🕊

@laikathunderchild5746

Exactly, some in this comment section are judgemental and victim blaming. Disgusting.

@badmonkey2222

@@laikathunderchild5746 they are the exact ones you have to watch out for.

@rosemaryedwards7239

Testify! Amen!

@badkitty4922

I absolutely agree with you.
I hear you, I see you, and it doesn't take much for me to know where you'd go with your comment if you were truly free to continue.
I've seen plenty of comment/reply sections turn ugly and abusive because of Trolls and Karens spewing their B.S. unchecked but, GAWD forbid someone writes a cold, hard truth. 👍💖👏👏👏

4 More Replies...

@EmiPie93

It’s so wild and sad - I grew up in a town 20 minutes from here & graduated in 2011, and never heard a single thing about this entire case! it’s awful. RIP Chloe ❤️

@RobinMarconeCassidyRN

What a small world!! I live about 25 minutes away from Holy Land (Wtby) as well. We were so excited that this place was finally going to be rebuilt but I guess it just wasn't in the cards. Happy New Year!!🎈

@williamcoslosky

😢

@mintjulius275

Another person from nearby checking in. Grew up in torrington/winsted like 20 miles north of waterbury

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