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.
World Peace
Cro-Mags Lyrics
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All your far fetched dreams of anarchy
Better start to see things the way they are
'cause the way things
Are going they won't be goin' far
World peace can't be done
It just can't exist
Anarchy's a mess
Things are getting hectic
It's all gonna end
You don't know what's waitin' up around the bend
Open your eyes, perhaps you'll realize
If aids don't get you then the warheads will
All you hippies better start to face reality
All your far fetched dreams of anarchy
Better start to see things the way they are
'cause the way things
Are going they won't be goin' far
World peace can't be done
It just can't exist
World peace can't be done
Anarchy's a mess
Things are getting hectic
It's all gonna end
You don't know what's waitin' up around the bend
Open your eyes, perhaps you'll realize
If aids don't get you then the warheads will
World peace can't be done!
World peace!
It just can't exist
World peace!
World peace can't be done
World peace!
Anarchy's a mess!
World peace can't be done!
World peace!
No it can't
World peace!
It just won't exist
World peace! world peace! world peace!
The Cro-Mags’ song “World Peace” speaks of the prevailing disillusionment and suffering of the world. The opening lyrics are directed towards hippies and their dreams of anarchy, indicating that such ideas are unrealistic, and that it is time for people to face reality. The song suggests that people need to stop living in fantasy and begin to see things as they are because the world is heading towards disaster. The chorus of the song reiterates that “world peace can’t be done,” indicating that it is impossible to achieve because of the state of the world at the time. The song highlights that anarchy is a mess and that things are getting more chaotic, leading towards an inevitable end. The song also touches on the threat of disease and nuclear war, reminding the listener that there is no escape from destruction.
The harsh lyrics of the song reflect the punk rock ethos of the time. The use of the term “hippies” represents the division between the punk rock subculture and the hippie counterculture. The song argues that the hippies' idealism and efforts towards world peace were misguided and ineffective. In contrast, punk rockers believed in speaking out against social injustice and fighting against the prevailing order of the time.
The song was released in the Cro-Mags’ debut album “The Age of Quarrel” in 1986. The album was a defining moment in the New York Hardcore scene and has been widely recognized as one of the best hardcore punk records of all time. “World Peace” remains a seminal track in the hardcore punk genre and is often cited as a classic song with a powerful message.
Line by Line Meaning
All you hippies better start to face reality
The singer is addressing a particular group and urging them to come to terms with the way things really are.
All your far fetched dreams of anarchy
The singer is referencing the group's unrealistic aspirations for a state of anarchy.
Better start to see things the way they are
The singer is telling the group that they need to start viewing the world realistically.
'cause the way things
Are going they won't be goin' far
The artist suggests that unless the group faces reality, their ideals won't take them very far in the real world.
World peace can't be done
The artist believes that achieving world peace is impossible.
It just can't exist
The singer is reinforcing that world peace is an unrealistic ideal.
Anarchy's a mess
The singer highlights the chaotic nature of anarchy.
Things are getting hectic
It's all gonna end
The artist believes that events in the world are spiraling out of control and that the world as we know it is coming to an end.
You don't know what's waitin' up around the bend
The artist warns that the future is uncertain and unsafe.
Open your eyes, perhaps you'll realize
The artist is urging the group to become more aware.
If aids don't get you then the warheads will
The singer highlights the many dangers in the world, including pandemics and warfare.
World peace!
The artist repeats the term sarcastically to emphasize its unlikelihood.
No it can't
World peace!
The singer disagrees with the idea of world peace and emphasizes this by repeating it sarcastically.
It just won't exist
World peace! world peace! world peace!
The singer repeats the sarcasm, reiterating that world peace is impossible.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: HARLEY FLANAGAN, JOHN JOSEPH, PARRIS MITCHELL MAYHEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind