Clean Cut Kid
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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Everybody wants to know why he couldn't adjust
Adjust to what, a dream that bust?
He was a clean-cut kid
But they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did
They said what's up is down, they said what isn't is
They put ideas in his head he thought were his
He was a clean-cut kid
But they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did
He was on the baseball team, he was in the marching band
When he was ten years old he had a watermelon stand
He was a clean-cut kid
But they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did
He went to church on Sunday, he was a Boy Scout
For his friends he would turn his pockets inside out
He was a clean-cut kid
But they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did
They said, "Listen boy, you're just a pup"
They sent him to a napalm health spa to shape up
They gave him dope to smoke, drinks and pills,
A jeep to drive, blood to spill
They said "Congratulations, you got what it takes"
They sent him back into the rat race without any brakes
He was a clean-cut kid
But they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did
He bought the American dream but it put him in debt
The only game he could play was Russian roulette
He drank Coca-Cola, he was eating Wonder Bread,
Ate Burger Kings, he was well fed
He went to Hollywood to see Peter O'Toole
He stole a Rolls Royce and drove it in a swimming pool
They took a clean-cut kid
And they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did
He could've sold insurance, owned a restaurant or bar
Could've been an accountant or a tennis star
He was wearing boxing gloves, took a dive one day
Off the Golden Gate Bridge into China Bay
His mama walks the floor, his daddy weeps and moans
They gotta sleep together in a home they don't own
They took a clean-cut kid
And they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did
Well, everybody's asking why he couldn't adjust
All he ever wanted was somebody to trust
They took his head and turned it inside out
He never did know what it was all about
He had a steady job, he joined the choir
He never did plan to walk the high wire
They took a clean-cut kid




And they made a killer out of him,
That's what they did

Overall Meaning

The song "Clean Cut Kid" by Bob Dylan tells the story of a young man who was once a wholesome, innocent boy, but was turned into a killer by the society around him. The song criticizes the American dream by highlighting the dangers and consequences of blindly following the ideals of success and prosperity. The lyrics suggest that the pressures of society, its manipulations, and its corrupt values shattered the young man's spirit and identity, turning him into the complete opposite of who he once was.


The song describes how young men are turned into soldiers, stripped of their original dreams, lifestyles, and identities, and transformed into a tool of war. The second verse explicitly mentions the Vietnam War with the line "They sent him to a napalm health spa to shape up." The song suggests that young men are used as disposable objects by society to maintain the power of the ruling class, represented by the elite at the top of the societal ladder. The chorus repeats the phrase "clean-cut kid," emphasizing the idea that the victim was innocent and pure before being corrupted by society.


In conclusion, Dylan's "Clean Cut Kid" is a critique of American society that points out the tragic consequences of the American dream. The song accuses society of turning young men into war machines, exploiting them for economic or political gain. Dylan seems to denounce the values of a society that seeks conformity and obedience over individuality and integrity.


Line by Line Meaning

Everybody wants to know why he couldn't adjust
People are curious as to why he couldn't cope with something


Adjust to what, a dream that bust?
What did he have to adjust to, a shattered dream perhaps?


He was a clean-cut kid
He was a well-behaved young person


But they made a killer out of him,
But the people around him turned him into a killer


That's what they did
This is what they did to him


They said what's up is down, they said what isn't is
They messed with his mind and twisted his perception of reality


They put ideas in his head he thought were his
They influenced his thinking so much that he believed their ideas were his own


He was on the baseball team, he was in the marching band
He had a normal and wholesome childhood, participating in sports and music


When he was ten years old he had a watermelon stand
He was entrepreneurial from a young age


He went to church on Sunday, he was a Boy Scout
He was a religious person and a member of the Boy Scouts


For his friends he would turn his pockets inside out
He was generous with his friends


They said, "Listen boy, you're just a pup"
They belittled and patronized him


They sent him to a napalm health spa to shape up
They sent him to a boot camp that used cruel and harsh methods


They gave him dope to smoke, drinks and pills,
They introduced him to drugs and alcohol


A jeep to drive, blood to spill
They gave him the means to commit violent acts


They said "Congratulations, you got what it takes"
They praised and encouraged him for becoming a killer


They sent him back into the rat race without any brakes
They sent him back to society without any safeguards to protect and help him


He bought the American dream but it put him in debt
He pursued the American dream but it only led to financial troubles


The only game he could play was Russian roulette
The only option he had to survive was to gamble with his life


He drank Coca-Cola, he was eating Wonder Bread,
He was consuming popular American products


Ate Burger Kings, he was well fed
He ate at fast food chains and was physically fit


He went to Hollywood to see Peter O'Toole
He visited Hollywood to see a famous actor


He stole a Rolls Royce and drove it in a swimming pool
He committed a reckless and crazy act


He could've sold insurance, owned a restaurant or bar
He had the potential to succeed in a normal, non-violent profession


Could've been an accountant or a tennis star
He could have pursued a career in accounting or tennis


He was wearing boxing gloves, took a dive one day
He was participating in a rigged boxing match but decided to take a fall


Off the Golden Gate Bridge into China Bay
He committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge into the water below


His mama walks the floor, his daddy weeps and moans
His parents are mourning and in a state of distress


They gotta sleep together in a home they don't own
They are forced to live in a home they don't own


Well, everybody's asking why he couldn't adjust
Everyone is curious as to why he couldn't cope with his situation


All he ever wanted was somebody to trust
He only wanted to trust someone


They took his head and turned it inside out
They manipulated and distorted his thinking


He never did know what it was all about
He never fully understood the implications of his actions


He had a steady job, he joined the choir
He had a stable job and was a member of a church choir


He never did plan to walk the high wire
He never intended to live a daring or risky life




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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