"FILM THE POLICE," has quickly become an anthem for the #Occupy generation, and shows no signs of slowing it's spread.
B. Dolan began performing in 1999 in the heart of the spoken word scene; New York City's famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe, where he developed his chops quickly. An 18 year old Dolan arrived for the first time as part of HBO's Def Poetry Series in 2002, and the respect earned with numerous performance poetry championships in the two years that followed.
2003 also saw the first release of "The Failure," [at the time] a two-disc, homegrown demo full of Dolan's earliest work.
After this self-release, Dolan disappeared from the poetry scene to pursue more overtly musical projects, as well as his own contribution to the struggle against social injustice.
In the midst of inventing the ragged, breakdown aesthetic of his later work, Dolan also dug in his activist roots by creating and co-founding the Knowmore.org website with former slam teammate and friend Sage Francis.
B. Dolan joined Francis on The Knowmore.org Tour in support of the project, which is when Francis expressed interest in releasing a revised version of "The Failure" on Strange Famous Records.
2008 brought about the official re-release of "The Failure" lp, which was trimmed down by a disc, and was critically acclaimed as a genre-defying, unheralded classic. It also earned a legion of die hard fans for Dolan's spoken word pieces, who've stuck around since to watch this unique artist's continual reinvention.
In 2009 he released House of Bees vol. 1, a full length mixtape that served to build momentum toward his 2010 release. Then, in 2010, "Fallen House, Sunken City" hit. Dolan's decidedly hip-hop sophomore lp was hailed by rap legends, critics and fans as a massive success. Alternative Press called the album "proof that underground hip hop still has bite," and The Onion's A.V. Club named it "One of the best albums of 2010." "Earthmovers," the album's first video, also became an MTVu Freshman of the Week and was entered into rotation on MTV2.
Since his signing to SFR, Dolan has toured exhaustively and internationally, most notably as part of the Paid Dues, SXSW 09, Soundset, and Rock the Bells festivals.
In addition to his partner and frequent collaborator Sage Francis, Dolan has also toured with the likes of Buck 65, Alias, Sole, Solilaquests of Sound, Prolyphic, Dan le sac vs. Scroobius Pip, Grand Buffet and others.
Jailbreak
B. Dolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mind wonder quite how I stayed in control
Tracing my name in the face of the stone
And I might turn up right under their nose
When the keyhole planks and the man comes
Do you crawl on all fours or stand up
I am upright, I am smiling
I'mma get off this fucking island
Where the wall is all around
The good men are all in their bed
The undead are all underground
Walk through the night to the break of day
I've been digging the holes
The old fashioned way
I got blood on my knuckles and rock to crack
When you tunnel this far, no stoppin' that
It's no slowin' down, it's no doublin' back
Gotta go the ground and get a hold of a map
Size stroke toward hope with
The ocean crashes
It may go down but I can't go backwards
Uh, bars, callin' all cars
Hacks in the robo, caught em off guard
Riot in the yard when you hear the bell
Betta face toward heaven and run like hell
Hell is other people
And heaven is the chance you take in vain
And you might need to kill me, mister
I ain't going back to jail
Ain't going back to jail
1976 was the year
Heavenly mix that eventually sticks
Not to mention the heaviest
Bricks in concrete
Conquerin' drum beats the honkies
With tight pants
I might dance, watch me now! AC
DC, bass take it easy, greasy guitar licks
And reading Archie comics
Nonstop rocks off in Bon Scott's vomit
Pawn shop, final 33 in the 3rd deep
Pristine dirty deeds done dirt cheap
Side one track one, deadlock
Stalemate jailbreak wait to gain
Build your muscle, educate your brain
Stickin' my arms through the bars
Of the hand held
Mary one maid, muthafucka, jailbreak
Hell is other people
And heaven is the chance you take in vain
And you might need to kill me, mister
I ain't going back to jail
Ain't going back to jail
Vertical vertical vertical vertical
Diagonal Diaz-animal, eyes half mast
Time in a flatfoot lap
On the night of his briar patch act
Give him to the fire, wish you were simple
A signal a tripped up guard with a
Neck full of tendrils
Ribs to the bars in a moment of mayhem
Go for the key ring, open the cages
Say hello to a growing equation, woah
Sounds fantastic, no
Got a Giggen launcher via good behavior
Now I'm looking to enable an elusive nature
Here's how the oldest trick in the book look
When performed by coldest fish
On the cook hook it was deep in the pan
With the rags and patches
After, a rearranged mess hall distraction
Aw shh never mind cabin fever
On whisper road like it's wabbit season
I'm a bad bad man, I'm a maverick heathen
I am on the truck, I am past the beacon
I am being fed fresh red
Grapes by the evening
Over state lines on an '89 Sebring, bye
Pardon the commotion I caused
It was this or a me shaped hole in the wall
Hell is other people
And heaven is the chance you take in vain
And you might need to kill me, mister
I ain't going back to jail
Ain't going back to jail
In "Jailbreak," B. Dolan explores the theme of personal liberation and the desire to break free from societal constraints and limitations. The lyrics depict a protagonist who finds themselves trapped in a confined space, both physically and mentally. The references to nights with the lights out and days in the hole suggest a state of isolation and imprisonment. Despite this, the singer maintains a sense of control and resilience, symbolized by tracing their name on the face of the stone. They are determined to escape and refuse to succumb to crawling on all fours.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of rebellion and defiance. The singer declares their intention to get off the island, metaphorically representing their desire to escape the confines of their current circumstances. They speak of digging holes the old fashioned way, using bloodied knuckles and rock to crack. This imagery signifies their determination to overcome obstacles and push forward, with no intention of slowing down or retreating. The mention of a riot in the yard and the urgency to run like hell further emphasizes their rebellious spirit.
The chorus highlights the singer's refusal to conform and return to jail. They recognize that hell is other people, the societal expectations and limitations imposed on them. On the other hand, heaven is portrayed as the chance they take in vain, the pursuit of freedom and personal autonomy. They declare that they would rather face death than be locked up again, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to breaking free from societal constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
Nights with the lights out, days in the hole
Spending night in darkness and days confined in a small space
Mind wonder quite how I stayed in control
Surprised at how I managed to maintain composure
Tracing my name in the face of the stone
Etching my identity in the face of adversity
And I might turn up right under their nose
Surprising others by appearing unexpectedly
When the keyhole planks and the man comes
When the opportunity presents itself and the authority arrives
Do you crawl on all fours or stand up
Do you submit or stand tall
I am upright, I am smiling
I am confident and optimistic
I'mma get off this fucking island
I am determined to escape this isolated place
Drag me out into the moonlight
Pull me into a situation where I can be free
Where the wall is all around
In a place surrounded by barriers
The good men are all in their bed
The righteous individuals are resting
The undead are all underground
The lifeless and soulless are hidden from the world
Walk through the night to the break of day
Moving forward despite the darkness
I've been digging the holes
I've been working hard and making progress
The old fashioned way
Using traditional methods
I got blood on my knuckles and rock to crack
I am physically injured and facing difficult obstacles
When you tunnel this far, no stoppin' that
Once you have come this far, there is no turning back
It's no slowin' down, it's no doublin' back
There is no deceleration or retreat possible
Gotta go the ground and get a hold of a map
Need to search for information and guidance from the underground
Size stroke toward hope with
Take determined steps towards optimism
The ocean crashes
The waves of challenges are relentless
It may go down but I can't go backwards
I may face setbacks, but I cannot regress
Uh, bars, callin' all cars
Announcing the urgency and need for attention
Hacks in the robo, caught em off guard
Disrupting the system and catching them by surprise
Riot in the yard when you hear the bell
Causing chaos and rebellion upon hearing the signal
Betta face toward heaven and run like hell
Better look towards freedom and escape quickly
Hell is other people
The burden of existence resides in the actions of others
And heaven is the chance you take in vain
Opportunities that may not pan out can bring happiness
And you might need to kill me, mister
To prevent my return to confinement, you might have to take my life
I ain't going back to jail
I refuse to be imprisoned again
1976 was the year
Referring to a specific year in time
Heavenly mix that eventually sticks
An enjoyable combination that becomes permanent
Not to mention the heaviest
In addition to the most powerful and significant
Bricks in concrete
Solid and unyielding foundations
Conquerin' drum beats the honkies
Dominating with rhythm, overpowering the opposition
With tight pants
Wearing clothing associated with a particular style
I might dance, watch me now! AC
I might move rhythmically, observe! AC/DC reference
DC, bass take it easy, greasy guitar licks
DC bass provides a steady rhythm, while the guitar delivers flashy and energetic melodies
And reading Archie comics
Engaging in lighthearted and distracting activities
Nonstop rocks off in Bon Scott's vomit
Continuously indulging in pleasure and excess
Pawn shop, final 33 in the 3rd deep
Selling items for profit, the last record from a specific period
Pristine dirty deeds done dirt cheap
Committing questionable actions efficiently and at low cost
Side one track one, deadlock
The first song on the first side of an album, a stalemate situation
Stalemate jailbreak wait to gain
Waiting for the perfect moment to escape and break free from captivity
Build your muscle, educate your brain
Strengthen your physical and mental abilities
Stickin' my arms through the bars
Extending my reach beyond the limitations imposed on me
Of the hand held
Of the handheld device, a metaphor for the oppressor's control
Mary one maid, muthafucka, jailbreak
Refusing to be confined and breaking free from captivity
Vertical vertical vertical vertical
Moving upwards repeatedly
Diagonal Diaz-animal, eyes half mast
Taking unconventional paths, eyes partially closed in a nonchalant manner
Time in a flatfoot lap
Passing time under the watchful eye of authority
On the night of his briar patch act
During a deceptive plan undertaken under difficult circumstances
Give him to the fire, wish you were simple
Let the situation intensify, longing for a more straightforward existence
A signal a tripped up guard with a
A sign to confuse and distract a vigilant guard
Neck full of tendrils
Having numerous influencing factors wrapped around one's neck
Ribs to the bars in a moment of mayhem
Being caught and confined during a chaotic event
Go for the key ring, open the cages
Retrieve the keys and release the captives
Say hello to a growing equation, woah
Embrace a situation that is becoming increasingly complex
Sounds fantastic, no
Seems incredible, doesn't it?
Got a Giggen launcher via good behavior
Acquired a powerful tool through demonstrating positive conduct
Now I'm looking to enable an elusive nature
Seeking to foster an evasive and hard-to-capture demeanor
Here's how the oldest trick in the book look
This is how the most well-known deception appears
When performed by coldest fish
When executed by the most unfeeling and cunning individual
On the cook hook it was deep in the pan
Caught in a difficult situation, deeply involved
With the rags and patches
With limited resources and makeshift solutions
After, a rearranged mess hall distraction
Following a deliberate plan to divert attention in a disorganized environment
Aw shh never mind cabin fever
Forget about feeling trapped and restless due to confinement
On whisper road like it's wabbit season
Moving cautiously like it's a time of vulnerability
I'm a bad bad man, I'm a maverick heathen
I possess a rebellious and unorthodox nature that defies social norms
I am on the truck, I am past the beacon
I am making progress and have surpassed the point of reference
I am being fed fresh red
Grapes by the evening
I am being rewarded and enjoying luxuries at the end of the day
Over state lines on an '89 Sebring, bye
Escaping across borders using a specific vehicle from 1989
Pardon the commotion I caused
Apologize for the disturbance I created
It was this or a me shaped hole in the wall
The only options were either causing chaos or disappearing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BERNARD DOLAN, DANIEL H SAWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind