D.O.A. was a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. T… Read Full Bio ↴D.O.A. was a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are often referred to as the "founders" of hardcore punk, along with Black Flag, The Germs, Negative Trend, and Middle Class. Their second album Hardcore '81 was thought by many to have been the first actual reference to the second wave of the American punk sound as hardcore. Singer/guitarist Joey "Shithead" Keithley is the only founding member to have stayed in the band throughout its entire history. However, original bassist Randy Rampage has been active in the band in recent years and has played on one of the band's last three albums, although he is not in the current lineup. D.O.A. has often released music on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Records, and they have released an album with Jello Biafra titled Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors.

D.O.A. has always maintained an uncompromising leftist political stance. The band is known for its outspoken political opinions and has a history of performing for many causes and benefits. Its slogan is "Talk minus Action equals Zero." The band has been active on many issues, including anti-racism, anti-globalization, freedom of speech, and the environment.

I Don't Give a Shit
D.O.A. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

i'm a fuckin' bum, can't you understand that man. i live on welfare, that's where i'm at. i don't work work work, that's what i want. i'm a fuckin' creep, people don't pick up on that. they don't understand me, they don't know where i'm at. i don't work work work, that's what i want. i'm a fuckin' bum, can't you understand that. i live just for me, that's where i'm at. i don't work work work, that's what i want

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of D.O.A.'s song "I Don't Give a Shit" reflect the attitude of a person who has adopted a carefree and apathetic outlook towards life. The repetition of the lines "I'm a fuckin' bum, can't you understand that man" and "I don't work work work, that's what I want" underscores this person's disregard for the accepted social norms and expectations that come with living in a capitalist society. The individual is content with living on welfare and is unabashedly proud of being a bum.

The lines "I'm a fuckin' creep, people don't pick up on that. They don't understand me, they don't know where I'm at," add an element of loneliness and social isolation to the lyrics. The person singing this song seems to feel misunderstood and alienated from society despite their rejection of it. The repeated refrain of "I don't work work work, that's what I want" highlights the individual's desire for personal freedom and autonomy.

Overall, the lyrics of "I Don't Give a Shit" are a testament to the rebellious spirit of punk and a critique of the conformity and materialistic values of modern society.

Line by Line Meaning

i'm a fuckin' bum, can't you understand that man.
I am currently unemployed and living off welfare. This is my reality and it is frustrating that others cannot comprehend it.

i live on welfare, that's where i'm at.
My sole source of income is welfare, which I rely on to survive.

i don't work work work, that's what i want.
I have no desire to work a traditional job and prefer to live off of government assistance.

i'm a fuckin' creep, people don't pick up on that.
I have a sense of unease around others, and often feel misunderstood or potentially even creepy to others.

they don't understand me, they don't know where i'm at.
Others struggle to comprehend my current situation and cannot relate to my lifestyle.

i don't work work work, that's what i want.
I have made the conscious decision to reject traditional employment and continue relying on welfare.

i'm a fuckin' bum, can't you understand that.
I am trying to convey that I currently do not have a stable job and am reliant on government financial help.

i live just for me, that's where i'm at.
I am solely focused on my own well-being and survival, and my current lifestyle reflects that mentality.

i don't work work work, that's what i want
I want to reiterate that I have no interest in traditional employment and will continue living off government assistance for as long as possible.

Contributed by Peyton T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS