I
Bad Brains Lyrics


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In the quest for the test to fulfill an achievement
Everybody's only in it for themselves
When the fact of the matter
Is they just don't care
To extend a helping hand to anyone else
So tell me why, did you have to lie
And try to make me all confused about the U.S.A.
When the fact of the matter is you just don't care
To comprehend or understand a single word I say

I don't want to have I go against I
I don't want to have I go against I
Oh let me tell you

The same old story, no factual glory
I against I against I against I
And I say I don't like it,
And I know I don't want it
I against I against I against I
Almighty watching, almighty watching
I against I against I against I
And I say I don't like it,
And I know I don't want it
I against I against I against I

I said who's gonna tell the youth about the drugs
About the drugs, mugs, bugs, and the police thugs
About the rotten stinkin' rackets and the fantasies
Around the nation, around the nations
Oh baby what you gonna do
I tell you the truth is looking straight at you

I got a brass continental with a 300 Z,
Two color t.v.s, now a video too
I got a rest home in Jamaica for my fantasty,
For my family




Around the nations
What you gonna do...

Overall Meaning

The Bad Brains’s song, “I against I,” takes a social and political stance in the United States during the early 1980s. The lyrics of the song talk about the quest for personal achievement and selfishness prevailing over an individual’s willingness to extend a supporting hand to anyone else. The song also talks about a deceptive perception of the United States and the lack of empathy to understand one another’s hardships. The lyrics indicate that people care more about their well-being than others, and this selfish understanding creates a divide that turns the nation against itself.


The chorus of the song, "I don't want to have I go against I, I against I against I against I," portrays the frustration present in society because of the things people do to achieve personal success, sidelining the collective goals. The song further emphasizes the point that people who want to achieve personal gains end up competing against their own citizens, and this creates a lack of unity the nation needs to thrive.


Line by Line Meaning

In the quest for the test to fulfill an achievement
Everyone is focused on achieving their goals and passing their tests in life.


Everybody's only in it for themselves
People prioritize their own interests over others.


When the fact of the matter Is they just don't care
People are indifferent and ignorant to the struggles of others.


To extend a helping hand to anyone else
People are unwilling to help others in need.


So tell me why, did you have to lie
The artist questions why someone felt the need to deceive them.


And try to make me all confused about the U.S.A.
Someone deliberately tried to mislead or confuse the singer about the United States of America.


To comprehend or understand a single word I say
People are so self-absorbed that they fail to understand the singer's thoughts and ideas.


I don't want to have I go against I
The artist desires unity and cooperation rather than conflict with others.


The same old story, no factual glory
Things remain unchanged and there is no real solution or improvement to the situation.


I against I against I against I
The opposing and conflicting views of individuals prevent progress or unity.


And I say I don't like it, And I know I don't want it
The singer does not want to be involved in the ongoing division and conflict.


Almighty watching, almighty watching
A higher power is observing the situations and actions of individuals.


I said who's gonna tell the youth about the drugs
The singer wonders who will educate the upcoming generation about the dangers of drug abuse.


About the drugs, mugs, bugs, and the police thugs
The negative aspects of society, such as drug addiction and police brutality, are affecting the youth.


About the rotten stinkin' rackets and the fantasies
The singer is concerned about the corrupt and deceitful schemes that manipulate people's perceptions and desires.


Around the nation, around the nations
These problems are affecting not just one nation but the entire world.


Oh baby what you gonna do
The artist questions what actions people will take to address and solve these issues.


I tell you the truth is looking straight at you
The singer asserts that individuals need to acknowledge and confront these problems rather than ignoring them.


I got a brass continental with a 300 Z, Two color t.v.s, now a video too
The singer has material possessions that are not as important as the issues affecting society.


I got a rest home in Jamaica for my fantasty, For my family
The artist has luxuries and comforts that are not as valuable as the safety and well-being of others.


Around the nations What you gonna do...
The problems affecting society are universal, and people need to take action to address them.




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gary Miller, Darryl Aaron Jenifer, Paul Hudson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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