Woke Up Screaming
D.O.A. Lyrics


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i don't really care, what they say i don't really care, what they do i just know i'm sick of this crowd and of you the cops they took me and beat me blue it wasn't what i was or what i do it was just being alive on my own side i took a chance on the other side got off this downhill slide stopped wastin' my time why don't you? had a dream saw a scheme saw a man hang on a beam next thing was, i woke up screaming! i wasn't dreaming. it wasn't what i was or what i do it wasn't anything to do with you it was just, just, being alive. took a chance on the other side got off this downhill slide stopped wastin' my time. why don't you?




Overall Meaning

In the song "Woke Up Screaming", D.O.A. expresses a sense of disillusionment and frustration with society and authority figures. The lyrics suggest that the singer doesn't care about what others say or do, and that they are tired of being part of a crowd and being controlled. The singer then reflects on an experience of being beaten by the police simply for existing, and asserts that it wasn't about their actions or identity - it was just because they were alive and didn't conform to societal norms.


The use of "the other side" implies a sense of rebellion and an alternative way of living, which the singer chooses to embrace. The dream sequence towards the end of the song suggests that this rebellion and rejection of societal norms is not without consequences. The man hanging on the beam can be interpreted as a metaphor for the dangers of going against the status quo. The singer wakes up screaming, suggesting that this is a nightmare they can't escape from.


Overall, the song can be interpreted as a call to reject societal expectations and live life on one's own terms, even if it comes with risks and consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

i don't really care, what they say
I am indifferent to what others say about me.


i don't really care, what they do
I do not concern myself with the actions of others.


i just know i'm sick of this crowd and of you
I am tired of being around this group of people and you specifically.


the cops they took me and beat me blue
The police arrested me and beat me severely.


it wasn't what i was or what i do
The reason for my beating was not related to my identity or actions.


it was just being alive on my own side
Merely existing while maintaining my individuality was the cause of my mistreatment.


i took a chance on the other side
I decided to take a risk and try a different approach.


got off this downhill slide
I stopped my descent into a negative path.


stopped wastin' my time
I ceased spending my time on unproductive activities.


why don't you?
You should also stop wasting your time.


had a dream saw a scheme saw a man hang on a beam
I had a dream where I witnessed a plan and a man being hung.


next thing was, i woke up screaming!
The next thing I knew, I was jolted awake, screaming.


i wasn't dreaming
This was not merely a dream, but a nightmare that felt all too real.


it wasn't what i was or what i do
The nightmare was not related to who I am or what I do.


it wasn't anything to do with you
You were not a factor in the nightmare.


it was just, just, being alive.
Merely existing and being alive was the cause of the nightmare.


took a chance on the other side
This experience encouraged me to take another risk and try something new.


got off this downhill slide
I continued my journey towards a better path.


stopped wastin' my time.
I made a conscious effort to use my time more productively.


why don't you?
I encourage you to do the same and stop wasting your time.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOSEPH KEITHLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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