Matt Warnke- Vocals
John "Zulu"- Guitar
Tim Brooks- Bass
Drew Thomas- Drums
Walk Tall Walk Straight
Crippled Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No alternative, no hope
Too many kids act like dicks
They've got no reason
They've got no hope
Why do they do it
They've lost their minds
The system fucked up their mind
Not enough brains in their head
Before they learn
They're already dead
See the X's on my hand
It's not to be cool, it's who I am
You can put X's on your hand
When you're in control and in command
Why do they do it
They've lost their minds
Society's victim
The system fucked up their mind
Not enough brains in their head
Before they learn
They're already dead
Walk tall, walk straight
The song "Walk Tall Walk Straight" by Crippled Youth is a powerful commentary on the state of youth in modern society. The lyrics delve into the issues of hopelessness and lack of alternatives that many young people face, resulting in behavior that is self-destructive and often dangerous. The first two lines of the song, "Too many kids are screwed up / No alternative, no hope" set the tone for the rest of the song, outlining the bleak reality that many young people face. The lyrics go on to question why this is happening, suggesting that society has failed them and that they have become victims of a broken system.
The chorus of the song provides a message of hope and empowerment, urging young people to "walk tall, walk straight". The use of X's on the hand is a symbol of unity and rebellion against the status quo. The lyrics suggest that when you are in control and in command of your own life, you can make a difference and overcome the challenges that arise. The repeated refrain "Why do they do it / They've lost their minds / Society's victim / The system fucked up their mind" reinforces the message that young people are not to blame for their behavior, but rather are victims of a broken system that has failed to provide them with the support and resources they need.
Overall, "Walk Tall Walk Straight" is a powerful call to action for young people to take control of their lives and be the change they want to see in the world. It is a poignant reminder of the struggles that many young people face, and a call to action to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Too many kids are screwed up
There are far too many young people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.
No alternative, no hope
They feel like there are no alternatives and no hope for their future.
Too many kids act like dicks
Many young people display negative, unproductive behavior.
They've got no reason
They have lost sight of their purpose and motivation in life.
They've got no hope
They have no belief that they can create a positive future for themselves.
Why do they do it
One may wonder why these young people behave in such a manner.
They've lost their minds
They are struggling with serious mental health problems.
Society's victim
They are products of a society that has failed to support and uplift them.
The system fucked up their mind
The systems in place that were supposed to support them have failed them, causing harm to their mental health.
Not enough brains in their head
Their thinking patterns are ineffective and not conducive to positive growth.
Before they learn
Before they have a chance to learn from their failures and negative experiences.
They're already dead
They become stuck in their ways and consistently make negative or harmful decisions, preventing them from growing, learning, and progressing forward.
See the X's on my hand
The band members use the X's on their hands as a symbol of their positive, drug-free mentality.
It's not to be cool, it's who I am
This symbol means more than a trendy fashion statement, it signifies their commitment to a sober and healthy lifestyle.
You can put X's on your hand
Other people can join in and adopt the same mindset and way of living if they choose to.
When you're in control and in command
Once you take control of your life and start making empowered decisions, you can live the life you want to live with intention and purpose.
Walk tall, walk straight
Stand tall in your convictions and take a straight, positive path forward in your life, even when it's hard.
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.