So What
Crass Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

They ask me why I'm hateful, why I'm bad.
They tell me I got things they never had.
They tell me go to church and see the light.
'cause the good lord's always right.

So what, so what.
So what if Jesus died on the cross.
So what about the fucker, I don't give a toss.
So what if the master walked on the water.
I don't see him trying to stop the slaughter.
They say I wouldn't have to live from bins.
If I would go along, confess my sins.
They say I shouldn't commit no crime.
'cause Jesus Christ is watching all the time.

So what, so what.
So what if he's always over my shoulder.
I realise the truth as I get older.
I get to see what a con it is.
Because it's my life, mine not his.
Well, they say they're going to send me away.
Said they're going to make me pay.
We're sorry but you got to go.
But you were naughty, you said "No".

So what, so what.
So what if I see through the lies.
So what if the people I despise
Twist my arm and make me work,
I'm no deaf, no fucking jerk.
I'm no spastic lying in the street.
I'm no superstar elite.
I'm just a person, a human being.
NO YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE A PART OF THE MACHINE.
You're a part our machine because we want you to be.
We've got you now and you'll never be free.
We can even have your body after you're dead.
We can take the eyes out of your fucking head.
Yes we'll take them out, use them again.
We can do it you know 'cause we've got your brain.
We'll crucify you like we crucified him.
We'll make you obey our every whim.
We got the power, the power and the glory.
I've heard that before in a different story.
But the story I heard covered up the truth,
Didn't touch on the actual factual proof.
Didn't say about the bodies in the concentration camps,
Didn't say about the (surgeons) knives underneath the lamps,
Doesn't say that the ovens are still warm,
Doesn't say that this wretched little form
Is a human being who wants to live
But not in the snot and shit they give.

They say that I had better keep quiet
Or they're gonna douse my light.
Jesus Christ can save my life,




But I can always use my knife.
So what, so what, so what, so what, so what, so what, so what, SO WHAT

Overall Meaning

The Crass song "So What" is a protest against the religious morality and social control prevalent in society. The song's lyrics center around the singer's anger at being judged and controlled by those who claim to represent a higher morality. The singer reacts to the pressure to conform and assimilate by rejecting the view that submitting to authority will lead to a better life. The lyrics are critiques of Christian dogma, and how it can lead to ethical blindness and indifference to suffering. The song is a strong reminder that people can be free, autonomous individuals who reject control and make their own decisions.


The singer's anger is focused on the hypocrisy of those who tell him that he must change to be a better person. The song highlights how the church and society as a whole often shun those who don't conform to their expectations or beliefs. The lyrics emphasize the singer's rejection of the idea that Jesus died for our sins or is the solution to our problems. Instead, he urges people to think for themselves and not be brainwashed by religious propaganda or social pressure. The singer's viewpoint is that humans are free to choose their own paths in life and that they should not submit to the will of others, especially those who claim to have a moral and spiritual superiority.


The song was seen as highly controversial at the time of its release in 1978. It was banned from being played on radio stations and was often censored or edited when live performances were broadcast. Despite the pushback from religious and conservative groups, Crass continued to perform the song as part of their setlist. The song's bold and confrontational message and raw punk energy contributed to its lasting influence in punk rock and activism. Fun fact: Punk band Green Day covered "So What" for a tribute album to Crass in 1993.


Line by Line Meaning

They ask me why I'm hateful, why I'm bad.
People question my negative attitude and behavior.


They tell me I got things they never had.
People claim that I have privilege they lack.


They tell me go to church and see the light.
People suggest that attending church will improve my outlook and behavior.


'cause the good lord's always right.
Because they believe that God's teachings are always correct.


So what if Jesus died on the cross.
The crucifixion of Jesus is not relevant to my current situation or beliefs.


So what about the fucker, I don't give a toss.
The singer does not care about Jesus or his message.


So what if the master walked on the water.
Jesus' supposed miracle of walking on water is not important to the singer's life.


I don't see him trying to stop the slaughter.
The artist does not see the relevance of Jesus' past actions to the current state of the world.


They say I wouldn't have to live from bins.
People believe that if the artist adheres to societal norms, they will not have to scavenge for food.


If I would go along, confess my sins.
If the artist conforms to societal expectations and seeks forgiveness for any wrongdoings, their living situation may improve.


They say I shouldn't commit no crime.
People advise the singer to follow the law and not engage in criminal behavior.


'cause Jesus Christ is watching all the time.
Because they believe that God is always observing and judging their actions.


I realise the truth as I get older.
The singer is gaining awareness and understanding as they age.


I get to see what a con it is.
The singer is starting to recognize the deception and falsity present in societal norms and beliefs.


Because it's my life, mine not his.
The singer believes that they have the right to make their own choices in life, rather than being dictated by outside influences.


Well, they say they're going to send me away.
People threaten to punish or institutionalize the artist for their behavior and beliefs.


Said they're going to make me pay.
People warn that the artist will suffer consequences for their actions.


We're sorry but you got to go.
People express regret that the singer must be removed from society or punished for their behavior.


But you were naughty, you said "No".
The singer's refusal to conform to societal expectations is seen as a negative and defiant act.


So what if I see through the lies.
The artist is not swayed by deceitful or oppressive societal norms and beliefs.


So what if the people I despise.
The artist does not feel affected by the opinions of those they dislike or disagree with.


Twist my arm and make me work,
The artist is forced to perform labor against their will, possibly due to poverty or societal pressure.


I'm no deaf, no fucking jerk.
The singer is not incapable or unintelligent, despite societal attempts to enforce conformity and subservience.


I'm no spastic lying in the street.
The artist is not helpless or incapacitated by their beliefs or behavior.


I'm no superstar elite.
The singer does not view themselves as an exceptional or privileged member of society.


I'm just a person, a human being.
The singer is an individual with their own thoughts, feelings, and desires.


NO YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE A PART OF THE MACHINE.
Others view the singer as merely a cog in the larger societal machine, rather than a unique individual.


You're a part our machine because we want you to be.
Society enforces conformity and expects individuals to adhere to societal norms and expectations.


We've got you now and you'll never be free.
Society will not tolerate those who refuse to conform and will punish those who resist or rebel.


We can even have your body after you're dead.
Society exerts control over individuals even after they have died.


We can take the eyes out of your fucking head.
Society can mutilate and deface the corpses of those who resist or rebel.


Yes we'll take them out, use them again.
Society can use the remains of individuals for its own purposes, regardless of the individual's wishes or beliefs.


We'll crucify you like we crucified him.
Society will punish those who resist or rebel, just as Jesus was punished for his teachings.


We'll make you obey our every whim.
Society expects individuals to submit to its authority and conform to its expectations.


We got the power, the power and the glory.
Society wields authority and maintains control over individuals.


I've heard that before in a different story.
The artist has seen and experienced societal oppression and cruelty before, possibly in a historical context.


But the story I heard covered up the truth,
The singer has learned that society hides the reality of its oppression and cruelty.


Didn't touch on the actual factual proof.
The singer has discovered evidence that contradicts societal narratives.


Didn't say about the bodies in the concentration camps,
Society conceals the atrocities committed in places such as concentration camps.


Didn't say about the (surgeons) knives underneath the lamps,
Society conceals the use of medical experiments and torture in its attempts to control individuals.


Doesn't say that the ovens are still warm,
Society covers up evidence of its atrocities and refuses to acknowledge the suffering it has caused.


Doesn't say that this wretched little form
Society does not care about or value the lives and well-being of its citizens.


Is a human being who wants to live
The singer is a person with desires, needs, and a fundamental right to exist and be treated with dignity.


But not in the snot and shit they give.
The artist does not want to conform to or be controlled by societal norms and expectations, which they view as oppressive and degrading.


They say that I had better keep quiet
Society expects individuals to remain silent about their beliefs and refuse to challenge the status quo.


Or they're gonna douse my light.
Society will punish and oppress those who refuse to conform and challenge the status quo.


Jesus Christ can save my life,
For some, religion offers hope and salvation from the suffering and oppression wrought by societal systems and norms.


But I can always use my knife.
The artist is willing to use violence and defiance to resist societal oppression and maintain their dignity and freedom.


So what, so what, so what, so what, so what, so what, so what, SO WHAT
The singer remains defiant and unconvinced by societal norms and expectations, continuing to resist and fight for their own autonomy and dignity.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@nofx2698

They ask me why I'm hateful, why I'm bad.
They tell me I got things they never had.
They tell me go to church and see the light.
Cos the good lord's always right.

So what, so what.
So what if Jesus died on the cross.
So what about the fucker, I don't give a toss.
So what if the master walked on the water.
I don't see him trying to stop the slaughter.
They say I wouldn't have to live from bins.
If I would go along, confess my sins.
They say I shouldn't commit no crime.
Cos Jesus Christ is watching all the time.

So what, so what.
So what if he's always over my shoulder.
I realise the truth as I get older.
I get to see what a con it is.
Because it's my life, mine not his.
Well, they say they're going to send me away.
Said they're going to make me pay.
We're sorry but you got to go.
'cus you were naughty, you said "No".

So what, so what.
So what if I see through the lies.
So what if the people I despise
Twist my arm and make me work,
I'm no deaf, no fucking jerk.
I'm no spastic lying in the street.
I'm no superstar elite.
I'm just a person, a human being.
NO YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE A PART OF THE MACHINE.
You're a part our machine because we want you to be.
We've got you now and you'll never be free.
We can even have your body after you're dead.
We can take the eyes out of your fucking head.
Yes we'll take them out, use them again.
We can do it you know cos we've got your brain.
We'll crucify you like we crucified him.
We'll make you obey our every whim.
We got the power, the power and the glory.
I've heard that before in a different story.
But the story I heard covered up the truth,
Didn't touch on the actual factual proof.
Didn't say about the bodies in the concentration camps,
Didn't say about the knives underneath the lamps,
Doesn't say that the ovens are still warm,
Doesn't say that this wretched little form
Is a human being who wants to live
But not in the snot and shit they give.

They say that I had better keep quiet
Or they're gonna douse my light.
Jesus Christ can save my life,
But I can always use my knife.
So what, so what, so what, so what, so what, so what, so what, SO WHAT.



@dumbasschasehickson

They tell me I got things they never had
They tell me go to church and see the light
Cos the good lord's always right
So what, so what
So what if Jesus died on the cross
So what about the fucker, I don't give a toss
So what if the master walked on the water
Don't see him trying to stop the slaughter
Say I wouldn't have to live from bins
If I would go along, confess my sins
Say I shouldn't commit no crime
Cos Jesus Christ is watching all the time
So what, so what
So what if he's always over my shoulder
I realise the truth as I get older
Get to see what a con he is
Because it's my life, mine not his
Well, they say they're going to send me away
Say they're gonna make me pay
We're sorry but you've gotta go
Cos you were naughty, you said "NO"
So what, so what
So what if I see through the lies
So what if the people I despise
Twist my arm and make me work
I'm no deaf, dumb, fucking jerk
I'm no spastic lying in the street
I'm no superstar elite
I'm just a person, human being


NO YOU'RE NOT YOU'RE A PART OF THE MACHINE


You're a part of our machine, because we want you to be
Got you now and you'll never be free
We can even have your body after you're dead
We can take the eyes out of your fucking head
Yes we'll take them out, use them again
We can do it you know, cos we've got your brain
We'll crucify you like we crucified him
Make you obey our every whim
We've got the power, Power and the glory
Heard that before in a different story
Story I heard covered up the truth
Didn't touch on the actual, factual proof
Didn't say about the bodies in the concentration camps
Didn't say about the knives under the lamps
Don't say the ovens are still warm
Don't say this wretched little form
Is a human being who wants to live
But not in the snot and shit they give


Say that I better keep quiet
Or they're gonna douse my light
Jesus Christ can save my life
But I can always use the knife


So what, so what, so what, so what,
So what, so what, so what, SO WHAT



All comments from YouTube:

@paulrodgers5792

I was 16 when I got into Crass. I remember you could write to them and they would always reply and send you badges and stuff. An Anarchist fan club, fancy that!!!

@mmac7705

Got any of that stuff left now? That sounds sick honestly.

@lejlatiric7037

Wow! That's so amazing

@powertothepeople3820

Or they'll always invite you over if you can make it.... Everyone was welcomed to their place.

@pizzawhenitscold9013

yeah that's pretty tight, can anyone else confirm they did this stuff?

@TheFaustianAlchemist

@@pizzawhenitscold9013 yup

23 More Replies...

@franemales9712

Never tought that Crass would have 2 mil views on YouTube...8 years ago when I started listening them im high school they had like 80 000 max, great to see their music is still geting to the people

@TheFunkhouser

Haha nice. Nice to have new peeps enjoying them. 8 years ago.. hmmm am I that old hahaha. First heard them at their opening concert. Was crazy! haha

@travellersi

I still don't get what David Beckham, and Angelina Jolie thought they were doing wearing a Crass T'shirt. I can really imagine Beckham in his mansion listening to "Do they owe us a living" with queen twat and the kids?

@nazielonymszlaku

I think it is trendy to wear shirts like that. I ve seen some supermodels wearing sex pistols shirts. it is stupid. David Beckham listening to crass records is funny

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