Degenerate
86 Mentality Lyrics
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embrace the urban blight
hate on everything in sight
-Degenerate!
Booze, sex, and broken necks
knuckles, boots and down to wreck
never know what happens next
with no place left to go
diehard thru & through
comin' fuckin after you
don't care about politics
self damage just for kicks
caught up in a fuckin brawl
don't make no sense at all
The lyrics of Degenerate by 86 Mentality delves into the life of a person who seems to have lost his way and is living a rough, reckless and self-destructive life. The opening lines "Roaming the streets at night, embrace the urban blight, hate on everything in sight" paint a picture of someone who is allowed the harsh environment he is living in to infect his mindset. The word "embrace" suggests a willingness to accept and adopt the violence, crime and negativity around them, leading to rampant hate and frustration.
The second verse talks about this person's lack of direction and purpose in life - "Livin' life like an animal with no place left to go." He is someone who is probably disillusioned with society and is embracing anarchy as a way of life. And instead of dealing with his problems, he resorts to self-destructive behavior like "booze, sex, and broken necks."
The song's chorus reinforces the idea that the singer is living the life of a degenerate. He revels in violence and destruction, with lines like "knuckles, boots and down to wreck, never know what happens next." The closing line of the chorus, "Degenerate!" paints him in a negative light and emphasizes his moral depravity.
Line by Line Meaning
Roaming the streets at night
Wandering on the streets during the night
embrace the urban blight
Adopting and enjoying the decay and unpleasantness of the city
hate on everything in sight
Showing dislike towards almost everything they see
-Degenerate!
Calling themselves and others degenerates
Booze, sex, and broken necks
Indulging in alcohol, sex, and physical violence
knuckles, boots and down to wreck
Using fists and boots to cause destruction and chaos
never know what happens next
Living impulsively and unpredictably
Livin' life like an animal
Living in a primal and instinctive way
with no place left to go
Feeling lost and without direction in life
diehard thru & through
Being committed to their lifestyle and beliefs
comin' fuckin after you
Threatening to cause harm or damage to someone
don't care about politics
Being indifferent towards political and social issues
self damage just for kicks
Intentionally harming oneself for entertainment or pleasure
caught up in a fuckin brawl
Getting involved in a violent fight or altercation
don't make no sense at all
Not having any logical or reasonable explanation or justification
Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.