Hermosa Beach, California, USA (1979–1990, 1994–1995, 2001–2010)

The… Read Full Bio ↴Hermosa Beach, California, USA (1979–1990, 1994–1995, 2001–2010)

The Circle Jerks were an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. The group was founded by former Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris and Red Kross guitarist Greg Hetson. They were among the preeminent hardcore punk bands of the LA scene in the late 1970s.

The band broke up and reformed three times, sometimes with different bassists and/or drummers. They disbanded for the first time after the release of their fifth album, 1987's VI, as Hetson decided to continue touring and releasing albums with Bad Religion. They reunited around 1994 and recorded a reunion album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities, during the following year, followed by a tour. After that, the Circle Jerks once again parted ways as Hetson was still involved in Bad Religion. They reunited again circa 2001, but as of 2010, are on hiatus.

To date, the Circle Jerks have released six studio albums, one compilation, a live album and a live DVD. Their last studio album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities, was released in 1995 and was the band's only reunion album to date.

Many recent groups and artists cite the Circle Jerks as an influence, including Flea (musician), Anti-Flag,[1][2] Dropkick Murphys,[3] The Offspring[2] and Pennywise.[2]

Letter Bomb
Circle Jerks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tired of being bossed around
Getting the run around

Sweep your floors
Empty your trash
You're the one who makes the cash

Tired of being a puissant

9 to 5
Open my letter
You won't be alive

Here's a present just for you
When you'll open it
You'll be through

Sit behind your desk
Act like a king
Treat me like a human being

Give me the worst jobs
I'm getting mad
When you're dead
I'll be glad

Here's a present just for you
When you'll open it
You'll be through

Plastic explosive
On your letter
You'd be better off dead
Hope the building crumbles

On your head
Die! Die!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Circle Jerks' song "Letter Bomb" express a deep frustration towards the oppressive capitalistic system and the hierarchical structure of workplaces. The singer is tired of being bossed around, getting the run around, and being treated as nothing but a cog in the machine. The lyrics express a sense of powerlessness and anger towards the system of oppression where the rich and powerful treat the lower classes as disposable commodities. The singer is fed up with being treated like a slave and promises revenge through the use of violence.

The lyrics reflect the frustration of the anti-establishment punk movement that was prevalent in the 1980s. The song speaks to the youth rebellion against the power structures of society and the need for a radical change in the way the world operates. The repeated phrase "here's a present just for you, when you'll open it, you'll be through," expresses the desire for revenge and the willingness to go to extreme lengths to get it.

The use of the term "letter bomb" in the title of the song refers to an explosive device that can be sent through the mail. The singer is threatening to send a letter bomb to the oppressor, stating that they would be better off dead, and hoping that the building crumbles on their head. The song speaks to the desire for revenge against the corrupt system that is built to exploit the lower classes.

Line by Line Meaning

Tired of being bossed around
I am fed up with constantly being given direction

Getting the run around
I am becoming increasingly frustrated with being led along with no objective

Sweep your floors
Performing simple, menial tasks for you

Empty your trash
Cleaning up your refuse for you

You're the one who makes the cash
You profit off my hard work

Tired of being a puissant
I'm done living as someone with little to no power or influence

9 to 5
I am unhappy with living out the classic work day and wish for more freedom

Open my letter
Take a look at what I have to say

You won't be alive
You'll face serious consequences for your actions

Here's a present just for you
I have a gift for you

When you'll open it
As soon as you take a look at it