Don't Do It
D.I. Lyrics


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Skating down the street,
looking for girls to meet,
another set of rules...
What do they think we are, uncapable fools?
So many guidlines,
that makes little sense.
Seems to me like the worlds a little screwed up.
[Chorus:]
Regulations all around town.
Don't look up, man.
Don't look down.
Get that dog off the beach.
It looks like you're the one
wearing the leash.
Well they've got a bunch of rules,
just waiting for you.
Just like a monkey in the L.A. zoo.
'Cuz they've got your name in a nice big file.
One mistake, man big brother smiles.
They'll absorb your bucks today.
The only way out is another price to pay.
Sippin' on suds,
on a Saturday night.
They say that's not right.
Rules are getting a little too thick,
It's making me sick.
I feel like I'm stuck in social glue.
Society's screwing you,
There's just no way back...
It's time to attack!
[repeat chorus]
Regulations all around town.
Don't look up, man.
Don't look down.
Get that dog off the beach.
It looks like you're the one
wearing the leash.
We're sorry, there's no trespassing
on the beach past ten'o'clock.
And no loitering,
and no smoking,
and no alcohol on the beach.
By the way, there's no parking,
and no skateboarding.
Remember, the red curb
is for no parking whatsoever.
The yellow curb is for loading
and unloading of passengers only.




Put that dog on a leash,
and don't forget the stool.

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Do It" by D.I. is a commentary on the restrictive and senseless regulations imposed on people in their everyday lives. The lyrics describe the frustration felt by the singer who is trying to navigate a world filled with rules and guidelines that make little sense. The opening lines describe the singer skating down the street looking for girls to meet, but instead they encounter another set of rules that they are expected to follow. The lyrics suggest that these rules are designed to make the singer and others like them feel like incapable fools.


The chorus of the song further emphasizes the restrictive regulations imposed by society. The singer is told not to look up, not to look down, and to get their dog off the beach. The regulations are described as thick and suffocating, making the singer sick. The lyrics suggest that society is screwing over people like the singer and there is no way back. The only way out is to attack.


The song is a criticism of the conformity and control imposed by society. The singer is fed up with being told what to do and how to behave. The lyrics suggest that people should resist the urge to conform and should instead stand up for themselves.


Line by Line Meaning

Skating down the street, looking for girls to meet, another set of rules...
The singer is rolling through the street, hoping to meet some new people. Instead, every turn involves running afoul of some regulation or guideline that punishes him for just trying to enjoy himself.


What do they think we are, uncapable fools?
The singer wonders why the people in charge have set up so many arbitrary rules that seem designed to catch well-meaning folks in missteps.


So many guidlines, that makes little sense.
The singer is frustrated by the overwhelming number of policies he has to follow, many of which seem pointless or arbitrary.


Seems to me like the worlds a little screwed up.
The artist observes that the world seems to be askew since navigating through society requires navigating a maze of restrictive policies and guidelines.


[Chorus:] Regulations all around town. Don't look up, man. Don't look down. Get that dog off the beach. It looks like you're the one wearing the leash.
The chorus describes the oppressive, restrictive nature of society, where there are rules for everything and any mistakes lead to harsh consequences. Even the simple act of walking a dog can bring attention and judgment.


Well they've got a bunch of rules, just waiting for you. Just like a monkey in the L.A. zoo.
The comparison of humans to caged monkeys highlights how oppressive and limiting society can be when every action is constrained by arbitrary regulations.


'Cuz they've got your name in a nice big file. One mistake, man big brother smiles.
The song notes the invasive nature of contemporary surveillance mechanisms, which track individual behavior and create a climate of fear where even small infractions are recorded and punished.


They'll absorb your bucks today. The only way out is another price to pay.
The singer is frustrated that there's no way to escape the endless cycle of fees and fines that result from even minor infractions.


Sippin' on suds, on a Saturday night. They say that's not right.
The artist vents his frustration at the growing societal restrictions that increasingly determine even small, private behaviors or activities as problematic.


Rules are getting a little too thick, It's making me sick.
The song describes a sense of claustrophobia as ever more regulations seem to infringe on the simplest personal freedoms.


I feel like I'm stuck in social glue. Society's screwing you, There's just no way back... It's time to attack!
The singer describes the feeling of being trapped by societal rules and expectations, leading to a sense of desperation as there seems to be no way out.


[repeat chorus] Regulations all around town. Don't look up, man. Don't look down. Get that dog off the beach. It looks like you're the one wearing the leash.
The chorus repeats, underscoring the oppressive nature of society, which requires constant vigilance to avoid being caught out by some new regulation or rule. Even wearing a dog leash seems a metaphor for the lack of personal freedom.


We're sorry, there's no trespassing on the beach past ten'o'clock. And no loitering, and no smoking, and no alcohol on the beach. By the way, there's no parking, and no skateboarding. Remember, the red curb is for no parking whatsoever. The yellow curb is for loading and unloading of passengers only. Put that dog on a leash, and don't forget the stool.
The lyrics describe various regulations, all of which seem minor but cumulatively add up to an oppressive, restrictive social environment where every action is policed and monitored. Even mundane details like placing a dog on a leash or choosing the correct curb color for parking can lead to severe fines or legal action.




Contributed by Mia W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

chris mallord

love it!

xav

One of the best skate punk band of the 80 s....

Adam Prus

Anti suicide tune.love D.I.
Thanks

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