Intro
DJ Lazlow Lyrics

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[Announcer:] ["V-ROCK!"]
[DJ Lazlow:]
"What is the rock and roll lifestyle?
A leather jacket? Long hair?
Waking up with mystery bruises and a nasty itch?
Of course. But it's more than that.
It's laughing at the establishment, even if you don't know what the establishment is.

And that's what Lazlow is all about!
I'm 100% rebel. I got kicked out of school after the 12th grade, man!
That's why when V-Rock was looking for a DJ to open the portals of hell (and play commercials in between the records they'd chosen) they picked me!
V-Rock: Home of Lazlow and the Vulture

I'll tell you one thing; it takes a lot of soul, compassion, commitment and artistic integrity to play other people's music for money!
So listen to this: Don't sell out! I never will.
Get a lighter, turn out the lights, and turn up the stereo!
Because V-Rock and I have teamed up with the record companies to show you how to party.
I've hand-picked my favorite records that I play on my show.
These are records that I feel almost as passionate about as I do about myself."

[Announcer:] ["Only sissies cry! Real men stand in the rain and listen to this! V-ROCK!"]

Overall Meaning

The song "Intro" by DJ Lazlow features an announcer introducing the DJ for V-Rock, a fictional radio station featured in the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The announcer asks what the rock and roll lifestyle entails, mentioning leather jackets and long hair, but Lazlow argues that it is more about laughing at the establishment without necessarily understanding it. He claims to be a rebel who was kicked out of school after the 12th grade, and he takes pride in his job at V-Rock, where he plays pre-selected records interspersed with commercials. Lazlow admits that being a DJ requires soul, compassion, commitment, and artistic integrity. He encourages listeners to get a lighter, turn off the lights, and turn up the stereo to fully immerse themselves in the ultimate party experience bestowed upon them by V-Rock.

Through his conviction, Lazlow emphasizes that selling out is never an option. He expresses his dedication to the music, asserting that he feels almost as passionate about it as he does about himself. The announcer concludes the song by calling on real men to stand in the rain and listen to V-Rock, because "only sissies cry." Overall, the song serves to set the tone for the video game's soundtrack, which features a variety of rock and metal tracks. It also serves to introduce Lazlow as a character.

Line by Line Meaning

V-ROCK!
Announcer introducing the radio station.

What is the rock and roll lifestyle?
DJ Lazlow rhetorically questioning the stereotypical traits associated with rock and roll culture.

A leather jacket? Long hair?
Listing out some of the stereotypical clothing style and hairdo associated with rock culture.

Waking up with mystery bruises and a nasty itch?
Humorous exaggeration of some of the negative consequences of living a hard-partying rock lifestyle.

Of course. But it's more than that.
Acknowledging the previously mentioned traits, but stating that there is more to rock culture than just those things.

It's laughing at the establishment, even if you don't know what the establishment is.
Explaining that part of rock culture is rebelling against societal norms, even if one doesn't fully understand what they're rebelling against.

And that's what Lazlow is all about!
Introducing the DJ and stating that he embodies this rock culture attitude.

I'm 100% rebel. I got kicked out of school after the 12th grade, man!
Giving an example of Lazlow's rebellious nature.

That's why when V-Rock was looking for a DJ to open the portals of hell (and play commercials in between the records they'd chosen) they picked me!
Explaining how Lazlow got his job at V-Rock radio station.

V-Rock: Home of Lazlow and the Vulture
Promoting the radio station and naming Lazlow and another DJ as its hosts.

I'll tell you one thing; it takes a lot of soul, compassion, commitment and artistic integrity to play other people's music for money!
Acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to be a successful DJ.

So listen to this: Don't sell out! I never will.
Encouraging listeners to stay true to themselves and not compromise their values for money or success.

Get a lighter, turn out the lights, and turn up the stereo!
Inviting listeners to relax and enjoy the music.

Because V-Rock and I have teamed up with the record companies to show you how to party.
Explaining that the radio station has partnered with record companies to provide listeners with great music to party to.

I've hand-picked my favorite records that I play on my show.
Promoting the DJ's own show and revealing that he personally selects the music he plays.

These are records that I feel almost as passionate about as I do about myself.
Expressing the DJ's deep love and enthusiasm for the music he plays.

Only sissies cry! Real men stand in the rain and listen to this! V-ROCK!
Announcer promoting the radio station and stating that its music is great even in adverse conditions.

Writer(s): Darin Keith Pappas, Nuno Manuel Dias Carneiro Copyright: S.p.a.(Sociedade Portuguesa De Autores)

Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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