They first released a demo with songs that would eventually find themselves on their debut album The Age Of Quarrel (1986). The bass player Harley Flanagan and singer John Joseph were not the best of friends and eventually Joseph would part ways with the band leaving Harley to sing on the following Cro-Mags release. After The Age of Quarrel, the band released the record Best Wishes (1989). The record had a more heavy metal-influenced sound which alienated many of their fans. The band released another record Alpha Omega (1992), that saw the return of Joseph, and the departure of guitarist and songwriter Parris Mitchell Mayhew, a record that was only embraced by the most devoted of their fanbase, and followed by Near Death Experience (1993). After suffering from many lineup changes and frequent breakups, the group finally disbanded, seemingly for the last time, after this record. However, in 2000 they released a record that would almost make up for their past two releases. With Revenge the Cro-Mags came back to their early roots with songs that were comparable to their first release plus some songs with a more melodic/punk rock feel. After the release of Revenge the band broke up once again, and the internal hostility amongst band members (mainly between Mayhew and Flanagan) has never been resolved.
Malfunction
Cro-Mags Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Despite all the ways
I try or any of the things I do
Maybe I'd be better off talking to a wall
'Cause you ain't making any sense at all
I'm walking and I'm talking
And I'm trying and I'm lying
I'm walking and I'm talking
And I'm trying and I'm lying
But I just ain't getting through to you!
Am I just wasting, just wasting all my precious time
'Cause I ain't wasting a breath on you or any of your kind
If you had any brains you would open your mind
But, I guess you're juts afraid of what you're gonna find
I just can't get through to you
Despite all the ways
I try or any of the things I do
Maybe I'd be better off talking to a wall
'Cause you ain't making any sense at all
I'm walking and I'm talking
And I'm trying and I'm lying
But I just ain't getting through to you!
I'm walking and I'm talking
And I'm trying and I'm lying
But I just ain't getting through to you!
It's a malfunction!
The lyrics to Cro-Magsâ Malfunction speak to the frustration and futility of trying to communicate with someone who refuses to listen or understand. Despite the singer's various attempts to reach the person theyâre addressing, they feel like all their efforts are in vain because their words are falling on deaf ears. In fact, the singer suggests that they would have more luck talking to a wall since this individual is making no sense at all. Thus, the chorus weaves together the image of the singer walking and talking, trying and lying, yet still not getting through to this person.
The second verse is more confrontational as the singer questions whether theyâre wasting their time trying to reason with this person. They even suggest that the person might be afraid to open their mind and embrace new perspectives that could challenge their preconceived notions. However, the singer admits defeat and repeats the same chorus about walking and talking, trying and lying, all to no avail. The song ends with the singer declaring that itâs a malfunction, perhaps indicating that theyâve given up on this relationship or that communication between them is irreparably broken.
The above lyrics reflect the disconnect that arises from miscommunication and the inability to empathize with others. Itâs a common enough theme in punk and hardcore music, but what sets Cro-Mags apart was their fusion of punk with metal, creating a sound that was at once brutal and energizing. Malfunction, released in 1986, is one of their most iconic songs and has stood the test of time as a classic example of both genres.
Line by Line Meaning
I just can't get through to you
I'm having trouble communicating with you, no matter how hard I try.
Despite all the ways
Despite trying various methods,
I try or any of the things I do
No matter what I do or how hard I try,
Maybe I'd be better off talking to a wall
Perhaps I should talk to an inanimate object instead of wasting my energy on you.
'Cause you ain't making any sense at all
Because I cannot comprehend any sense or logic in what you're saying.
I'm walking and I'm talking
I'm moving around and speaking,
And I'm trying and I'm lying
I'm doing my best, even if that means I have to lie to get through to you.
But I just ain't getting through to you!
Despite my best efforts, I'm still not able to reach you or get my message across.
Am I just wasting, just wasting all my precious time
Is my time being wasted, as it seems like my efforts are in vain?
'Cause I ain't wasting a breath on you or any of your kind
I refuse to put any more effort or energy into communicating with you or others like you.
If you had any brains you would open your mind
If you were more intelligent or open-minded, you would be more receptive to my message.
But, I guess you're juts afraid of what you're gonna find
However, I suspect that you are afraid of the truth or what you might learn if you were more open-minded.
It's a malfunction!
Ultimately, our communication breakdown is a failure or malfunction of the system.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: HARLEY FLANAGAN, JOHN JOSEPH, PARRIS MITCHELL MAYHEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gabefranco6572
I just can't get through to you
Despite all the ways
I try or any of the things I do
Maybe I'd be better off talkin to a wall
Cause you ain't making any sense at all
I'm walkin and I'm talkin
And I'm tryin and I'm lyin
But I just ain't getting through to you!
I'm walkin and I'm talkin
And I'm tryin and I'm lyin
But I just ain't getting through to you!
Am I just wastin, just wasting all my precious time
Cause I ain't wastin a breath on you or any of your kind
If you had any brains you would open your mind
But, I guess you're juts afriad of what you're gonna find
I just can't get through to you
Despite all the ways
I try or any of the things I do
Maybe I'd be better off talkin to a wall
Cause you ain't making any sense at all
I'm walkin and I'm talkin
And I'm tryin and I'm lyin
But I just ain't getting through to you!
I'm walkin and I'm talkin
And I'm tryin and I'm lyin
But I just ain't getting through to you!
It's a malfunction...!
@Purefunkx
Some days I just really, really need to hear this song. And it never fucking disappoints. Always makes me feel great
@NoMastersNoMistress
I have never heard another song that exposes as well as this one what lack of communication can do... ever. Grossly underrated classic.
@crashgroovy497
If I was a wrestler this'd be my entrance music.
@REVIVALFitness
Dude every time I listen to this I visualize my entire entrance
@josephbastidas3561
This would've been so perfect as a 90's ECW entrance
@dwaw13
My backyard wrestling entry song was Metallicaâs Damage Inc. but this would have been an outstanding choice lol
@hairyfrog429
Ok
@matthewduell5091
What would your wrestler name be?
@cheayunju
I was 14 when I first listened to Cromags at my friend Aaron's place. I was blown away by the punkest, hardest music I had ever heard. Years later, I'm still mentally destroyed by how good this band is. Age of Confusion is my favorite album of the genre. I don't want to sound like a dork, but this is an incredible album and piece of music.
@niikpagano9019
Hell yeah dude, Aaron's place always had some kick ass hardcore blasting