https://anklegrease.bandcamp.com/
Cops
Ankle Grease Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We′re searching your car and detaining you
And you have no recourse
You really have no voice
Well you can tell me your uncle's a nice guy
He′s got fourteen years with a badge
Well I'm sure he's funny at family parties
Where were the cops when my rent got raised
Where were the cops when my friend got raped
Why do the cops break us up every day
For just trying to feed the hungry
Every pig is complicit in violence
They hide behind their blue wall of silence
I′ll show you one good cop
6 feet underground
Took a piss on a cop car last night
Yeah it made me feel better
But all the fits we throw wont fix things we know
Because Mike Brown is dead forever
And if you can′t imagine
A world without policemen
Please step aside
Because the rest of us have work to do
To end the violence
We know it's time
The lyrics to the song "Cops" by Ankle Grease speak to the injustice and brutality that many people experience at the hands of law enforcement. The first verse describes a scenario in which a person is being detained and searched without any recourse or voice. The second verse addresses the common defense of "good cops" and argues that the problem is bigger than any individual officer. The chorus questions the role of police in instances of injustice and violence, and the final verse directly criticizes the behavior and complicity of police officers.
The song highlights the unequal treatment and violence that marginalized communities face from police, rather than the protection and justice that is often promised. The lyrics touch on issues such as police brutality, racial profiling, and systemic bias in law enforcement. The chorus of the song urges the listener to imagine a world without police and to take action to end violence.
Overall, "Cops" is a powerful critique of the broken relationship between police and communities that have been historically marginalized and oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Have a seat on the curb and take off your shoes
We are taking control of the situation, and we want you to know it.
We're searching your car and detaining you
We assume you're guilty, so we're going to violate your rights and detain you.
And you have no recourse
There is nothing you can do about it. We have the power here.
You really have no voice
Any attempt to resist or speak up will be met with force, so you might as well keep quiet.
Well you can tell me your uncle's a nice guy
We don't care about your personal connections, we're only interested in using our power over you.
He's got fourteen years with a badge
His experience as a cop means nothing if he's part of a corrupt system that perpetuates violence against marginalized groups.
Well I'm sure he's funny at family parties
We don't care about his personality, we care about the harm that he and his colleagues have done.
But institutionalized terror is bigger than that
The systemic oppression caused by the police is far more important than any individual's likability.
Where were the cops when my rent got raised
The police are only interested in protecting the property of the rich, not the well-being of marginalized communities.
Where were the cops when my friend got raped
They don't care about protecting marginalized communities from real harm, they only care about maintaining their own power.
Why do the cops break us up every day
The police actively suppress any attempts by marginalized communities to help each other and promote social change.
For just trying to feed the hungry
Even acts of kindness and charity by marginalized communities are seen as potential threats to the police's power and are therefore targeted.
Every pig is complicit in violence
The police system itself perpetuates systemic oppression and violence against marginalized communities.
They hide behind their blue wall of silence
The police deliberately protect each other and their corrupt practices to maintain their own power and control.
I'll show you one good cop
There are no good cops, because the system itself is corrupt and violent.
6 feet underground
The only way the police can truly change is if the entire corrupt system is dismantled and replaced with a new system that prioritizes the well-being of marginalized communities.
Took a piss on a cop car last night
It's easy to feel vindicated in a small moment of rebellion, but true social change requires long-term sacrifice and dedication.
Yeah it made me feel better
Feelings of anger and frustration towards the police are valid, but they must also be channeled into concrete action towards social change.
But all the fits we throw wont fix things we know
Acts of rebellion and anger towards the police won't actually change the system, but rather distract from the real work that needs to be done towards social change.
Because Mike Brown is dead forever
The legacy of systemic violence and oppression against marginalized communities is a problem that transcends any individual case or moment in time.
And if you can't imagine
Those who are unable or unwilling to acknowledge the systemic issues with the police must step aside and make way for those who are committed to genuine change.
A world without policemen
The goal is not necessarily to completely abolish the police, but rather to build a new system that is more just and equitable towards marginalized communities.
Please step aside
Those who are unwilling to participate in the work towards social change must move aside and make way for those who are committed to this work.
Because the rest of us have work to do
Those committed to social change must work together and stay focused on the ultimate goal despite challenges and setbacks.
To end the violence
The ultimate goal is to create a society that prioritizes the well-being and safety of all members, especially those who have been historically marginalized and oppressed.
We know it's time
The current system is broken and has caused far too much harm to marginalized communities. Change must happen now.
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.