Who Cares Wins
Anthrax Lyrics


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Close your eyes to the horror
Close your eyes to the pain
When you live in a box
No one knows your name
Living in the street
Moms and kids with nothing to eat
Welfare hotels
Who says there's no place called hell

I can't see you
I can't hear you
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god
Who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares
There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god...
Go you or I
Open your eyes
You don't see me
You couldn't be me

Invisible could be my name
Your excuses are so lame
Real pleas fall on deaf ears
Look away when I'm near
Freezing cold in winter's heat
Burning up can be a treat
Blisters breaking on my feet
At least I get a subway seat

I can't see you
I can't hear you
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god
Who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares
There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god...

Go you or I
Open your eyes
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

Self help and preservation
Not now I'm on vacation
Priority is you
And screw all those around you

Now's the time for you to share
Indifference you have to care
Deep inside you know it's true
How do I get through to you
Open your eyes to the horror
Open your eyes to the pain
When you live in a box
No one knows your name





[CHORUS]

Overall Meaning

The song "Who Cares Wins" by Anthrax is a powerful social critique of the indifference and neglect towards homeless individuals in society. The lyrics depict the harsh and hopeless reality faced by those living in the street, neglected by society and without even the basic necessities of life. The title of the song is a clever play on the phrase "who cares wins," which is often used in the context of apathy and indifference towards others.


The lyrics make a strong statement about complicity and indifference towards the suffering of others. The use of repetition, like the phrase "there but for the grace of God," draws the listener's attention to the vulnerability of human existence and the arbitrary nature of fate. The song also highlights the importance of empathy and compassion for one another, especially for those who are the most marginalized and vulnerable in society.


Line by Line Meaning

Close your eyes to the horror
Ignore the awful realities of poverty and homelessness.


Close your eyes to the pain
Stay oblivious to the suffering of others.


When you live in a box
Homelessness forces many to live in inadequate, unsafe conditions.


No one knows your name
Homelessness can make individuals feel invisible and overlooked.


Living in the street
Homelessness can force individuals and families to live in public spaces.


Moms and kids with nothing to set
Families with children can suffer greatly from the effects of poverty and homelessness.


Welfare hotels
Public assistance programs often provide inadequate or unsafe housing.


Who says there's no place called hell
Homelessness can be an incredibly challenging, distressing situation that can feel like a personal hell.


I can't see you
The general public may ignore or overlook the struggles of homeless individuals.


I can't hear you
Homeless individuals may feel that their voices are not heard or valued.


You don't see me
Homeless individuals may feel invisible or overlooked by society.


You couldn't be me
It can be difficult to truly understand the experiences of homeless individuals if you have not been in their position.


Who cares wins
By showing empathy and concern for others, we can create a better world for everyone.


There but for the grace of God
The idea that anyone could become homeless, and that we should be grateful for our own circumstances.


Go you or !
An exclamation of encouragement, urging individuals to make a positive difference in the world.


Open your eyes
Start paying attention to the suffering of others and the issues that affect our world.


Invisible could be my name
Feeling invisible or overlooked is a common experience for those who are homeless.


Your excuses are so lame
Avoiding responsibility and making excuses prevents us from making a positive impact on the world.


Real pleas fall on deaf ears
Requests for help or assistance may be ignored or disregarded by others.


Look away when I'm near
People may avoid engaging with homeless individuals due to discomfort or fear.


Freezing cold in winters heat
Extreme weather conditions can make homelessness even more challenging and dangerous.


Burning up can be a treat
In contrast, spending time in air conditioned spaces may be a luxury for homeless individuals who are used to being outside in the heat.


Blisters breaking on my feet
The physical toll of homelessness can be significant, leading to chronic health problems and injuries.


At least I get a subway seat
Despite the physical discomforts of homelessness, having a place to sit down can be an appreciated luxury.


Self help and preservation
Focusing on one's own needs and wellbeing, rather than helping others who are struggling.


Not now I'm on vacation
Ignoring the needs of others because we are wrapped up in our own lives or priorities.


Priority is you
Putting oneself first, rather than considering the needs of others.


And screw all those around you
Disregarding the needs and struggles of others for one's own benefit.


Now's the time for you to share
Encouraging individuals to actively engage in helping others and making a positive difference in the world.


Indifference you have to care
Choosing to ignore the suffering of others rather than taking action to help.


Deep inside you know it's true
Everyone has the capacity for empathy and compassion, even if they do not always act on it.


How do I get through to you
Finding effective ways to communicate and encourage empathy and concern for others.


Open your arms
Being welcoming and supportive of those in need, rather than rejecting or disregarding them.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLIE L. BENANTE, DANIEL ALAN SPITZ, FRANK JOSEPH BELLO, JOSEPH A. BELLARDINI, SCOTT IAN ROSENFELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

On Track by Allan Cunha 'Fuligem de Angband'

Close your eyes to the horror
Close your eyes to the pain
When you live in a box
No one knows your name
Living in the street
Moms and kids with nothing to eat
Welfare hotels
Who says there's no place called hell

I can't see you
I can't hear you
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god
Who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares
There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god..

Go you or I
Open your eyes
You don't see me
You couldn't be me

Invisible could be my name
Your excuses are so lame
Real pleas fall on deaf ears
Look away when I'm near
Freezing cold in winters heat
Burning up can be a teat
Blisters breaking on my feet
At least I get a subway seat

I cant' see you
I can't hear you
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god
Who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares
There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god...

Go you or I
Open your eyes
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

Self help and preservation
Not now I'm on vacation
Priority is you
And screw all those around you

Now's the time for you to share
Indifference you have to care
Deep inside you know it's true
How do I get through to you
Open your eyes to the horror

Open your eyes to the pain
When you live in a box
No one knows your name



All comments from YouTube:

Luis Emiliano González Vinces

Anthrax had the perfect balance between melody and aggresion

Matt Szymonik

Man. I remember when this first came out. Stuff like this is one of many reasons why Anthrax is one of my all time favorite bands. We need more of the socially aware music of Anthrax these days. More than ever.

Nick Hill

It's sad that this song still speaks the truth today.

Maddocc

Sadly it's louder than yesterday....

Jeffrey Collins

One, if not THE most important music video ever made. And it's such a great song too. Everytime I hear/see this I think of all the times I almost ended up that way. Thanks Father for not letting that happen to me. There but for the Grace of God!

Dhenzhardrock97

The best song,,the best band,,the best line up....
Drum the monster

Kevin Gamble

I adored this album. This song is great example of what makes them distinct among the "Big Four". There's a grit, a "street-level" quality, a punk directness that none of the other guys have. The overlap is the distinctive sound of thrash, but they've been the most "grass roots" of any of them.

Oderus Urungus

This is classic Anthrax. Simply amazing.

Mike SS

I have always thought the particular beats they chose for this song were a brutal decision to pull off. Probably my fave. Charlie was at the peak of his career as well

On Track by Allan Cunha 'Fuligem de Angband'

Close your eyes to the horror
Close your eyes to the pain
When you live in a box
No one knows your name
Living in the street
Moms and kids with nothing to eat
Welfare hotels
Who says there's no place called hell

I can't see you
I can't hear you
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god
Who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares
There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god..

Go you or I
Open your eyes
You don't see me
You couldn't be me

Invisible could be my name
Your excuses are so lame
Real pleas fall on deaf ears
Look away when I'm near
Freezing cold in winters heat
Burning up can be a teat
Blisters breaking on my feet
At least I get a subway seat

I cant' see you
I can't hear you
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god
Who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares
There but for the grace of god
There but for the grace of god...

Go you or I
Open your eyes
You don't see me
You couldn't be me
Who cares wins

Self help and preservation
Not now I'm on vacation
Priority is you
And screw all those around you

Now's the time for you to share
Indifference you have to care
Deep inside you know it's true
How do I get through to you
Open your eyes to the horror

Open your eyes to the pain
When you live in a box
No one knows your name

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