Sabotage
Beastie Boys Lyrics
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I'mma set it straight, this Watergate
I can't stand rockin' when I'm in here
'Cause your crystal ball ain't so crystal clear
So while you sit back and wonder why
I got this fuckin' thorn in my side
Oh my god, it's a mirage
I'm tellin' y'all, it's sabotage
So, so, so, so listen up, 'cause you can't say nothin'
You'll shut me down with a push of your button
But, yo, I'm out and I'm gone
I'll tell you now, I keep it on and on
'Cause what you see, you might not get
And we can bet, so don't you get souped yet
Scheming on a thing, that's a mirage
I'm trying to tell you now, it's sabotage
Why
Our backs are now against the wall
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
I can't stand it, I know you planned it
I'mma set it straight, this Watergate
But I can't stand rockin' when I'm in this place
Because I feel disgrace because you're all in my face
But make no mistakes and switch up my channel
I'm Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle
What could it be, it's a mirage
You're scheming on a thing, that's sabotage
The Beastie Boys' classic hit "Sabotage" is a song that tells a story about a conflict between the singer and an adversary. The pumped-up track starts with the aggressive and bold line "I can't stand it, I know you planned it" indicating the singer's frustration with something that has been orchestrated by someone else. The following lines mention "Watergate," an infamous political scandal in the US, frequently interpreted as a metaphor for deceitful actions that the adversary has taken against the singer. The chorus "Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage" emphasizes the singer's point with the urgency and repetition of the phrase.
As the song progresses, the lyrics describe a back and forth between the singer and the adversary, who is depicted as having power and influence over the singer's life through a metaphor of a button controlling him. The singer asserts his independence in the lines "But, yo, I'm out and I'm gone, I'll tell you now, I keep it on and on," suggesting that he will not be controlled by others. The final verse consolidates all of the song's central ideas and metaphorical language, with the singer challenging the adversary in the line "What could it be, it's a mirage, You're scheming on a thing, that's sabotage."
Overall, "Sabotage" is a song that deals with themes of power, control, and conflict. It tells a story of someone trying to take control of another's life, and the singer's efforts to maintain independence and push back against these forces. It is widely regarded as one of the Beastie Boys' most popular and memorable songs.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't stand it, I know you planned it
I'm aware of your plans and I'm not happy about it
I'mma set it straight, this Watergate
I'll make sure the truth is known, just like what happened during the Watergate scandal
I can't stand rockin' when I'm in here
I don't enjoy being in this situation
'Cause your crystal ball ain't so crystal clear
Your predictions and plans are unclear and unreliable
So while you sit back and wonder why
You're confused about why things are happening
I got this fuckin' thorn in my side
I'm annoyed and frustrated with this situation
Oh my god, it's a mirage
This situation isn't what it appears to be
I'm tellin' y'all, it's sabotage
I'm warning you that someone is purposely undermining or attacking us
So, so, so, so listen up, 'cause you can't say nothin'
Pay attention because you have no argument against me
You'll shut me down with a push of your button
You have the power to silence me easily
But, yo, I'm out and I'm gone
I won't let you control or stop me
I'll tell you now, I keep it on and on
I won't stop pursuing my goal
'Cause what you see, you might not get
Things may not be as they appear
And we can bet, so don't you get souped yet
Don't be too confident because there may be hidden dangers
Scheming on a thing, that's a mirage
You're plotting something that isn't what it seems
I'm trying to tell you now, it's sabotage
I'm warning you about the danger of this plan
Why
Questioning why this is happening
Our backs are now against the wall
Our situation is difficult and we have few options
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
This situation is purposefully harmful to us
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
This situation is purposefully harmful to us
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
This situation is purposefully harmful to us
Listen all y'all, it's a sabotage
This situation is purposefully harmful to us
I can't stand it, I know you planned it
I'm aware of your plans and it frustrates me
I'mma set it straight, this Watergate
I'll make sure the truth is revealed about what happened
But I can't stand rockin' when I'm in this place
This situation is making me uncomfortable
Because I feel disgrace because you're all in my face
I'm embarrassed and frustrated because you're constantly bothering me
But make no mistakes and switch up my channel
Don't underestimate me because I can change the situation
I'm Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle
I can be powerful and capable of great things when I'm angry
What could it be, it's a mirage
This situation isn't what it seems
You're scheming on a thing, that's sabotage
You're plotting something harmful to us
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Horovitz, Adam Nathaniel Yauch, Michael Louis Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NiscosFun
Don't lie, this wasn't in your recommended. You searched for this
@tittlemanscrest420
you're damn right
@emiplayz91
Correct, I searched for this masterpiece
@Fratananical
I know you planned it.
@TroutNTrees
accurate
@tffp_727
Yes
@samgod
Can we just appreciate how beautifully "Sabotage" incorporates metal, punk, rock and rap into a whole new experience?
@mitchellbutarch8347
It sure does
@sampineda2369
And electronic
@moralesarmando5071
Fuck yeah man be my guest!