I'm a Cop
Blisterhead Lyrics
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Again and again coz that's what they do for fun
They have the uniforms, they have the guns
Please chase me coz I like to run
Hello boy, what's your name?
I'm gonna beat you black and blue
Coz i'm a cop (i'm a cop)
1-2-3 and down you go
They like beating up punx like you
With their hands held high they say hello
They really love you so
They press you up against the wall
They kick you in the balls
They smash your kneecaps so that you fall
The law is wonderful
The lyrics to Blisterhead's song "I'm a Cop" speak to the abuses of power and violence that can come from those who are meant to uphold and enforce the law. The first lines, "They help you up so they can kick you down / Again and again coz that's what they do for fun," illustrate the idea that police officers may pretend to offer assistance or support, only to turn around and harm their targets. The next line, "They have the uniforms, they have the guns / Please chase me coz I like to run," reinforces the power dynamic that police officers hold in these interactions, where they have the ability to use force and the authority to pursue and detain individuals.
The chorus of the song, "Hello boy, what's your name? / I'm gonna beat you black and blue / Coz I'm a cop / I have a uniform, a gun and protection by the law," highlights the impunity that police officers can feel when they act out in violence. The repetition of the phrase "I'm a cop" is almost taunting, as if the officer is daring the person they are speaking to to fight back or resist, knowing that they hold all the power in the situation. The following verse, "1-2-3 and down you go / They like beating up punx like you / With their hands held high they say hello / They really love you so," continues to highlight the abusive behavior of these officers, especially when it is directed towards those who are marginalized or viewed as "punx" by society.
The final verse, "They press you up against the wall / They kick you in the balls / They smash your kneecaps so that you fall / The law is wonderful," drives home the physical harm that can come from these interactions. The use of violent force to subdue someone who is not presenting an immediate threat is not only unethical, but can also cause long-lasting physical and emotional damage. The final line, "The law is wonderful," may be read as a sarcastic or bitter declaration, as it is clear that in these situations the law is failing to protect individuals from police misconduct.
Line by Line Meaning
They help you up so they can kick you down
They offer fleeting moments of support only to rip it away and hurt you even more.
Again and again coz that's what they do for fun
They take pleasure in abusing their power and inflicting pain.
They have the uniforms, they have the guns
They have the tools of authority that allow them to act with impunity.
Please chase me coz I like to run
They enjoy the chase and the opportunity to exercise their power over others.
Hello boy, what's your name?
They use their position of authority to intimidate and dominate their victims.
I'm gonna beat you black and blue
They intend to inflict serious harm on their victim.
Coz i'm a cop (i'm a cop)
They see their role as one of domination and control, rather than serving and protecting the public.
I have a uniform, a gun and protection by the law
They are backed by the power of the state, and feel invincible as a result.
1-2-3 and down you go
They use brute force to subdue and intimidate their victims.
They like beating up punx like you
They specifically target and take pleasure in abusing those who are different or marginalized.
With their hands held high they say hello
They use their position of authority to taunt and mock their victims.
They really love you so
They enjoy the thrill of violence and the power it gives them over others.
They press you up against the wall
They use physical force to assert their dominance over their victim.
They kick you in the balls
They intentionally inflict pain on their victim by targeting a sensitive area of the body.
They smash your kneecaps so that you fall
They want to physically incapacitate their victim, making them more vulnerable and powerless.
The law is wonderful
They use the law as a shield to excuse and justify their violent and abusive behavior.
Contributed by Victoria S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.