Dead Kennedys' lyrics were usually political in nature, satirizing the Reagan Administration and the American establishment in general, as well as popular culture and even the punk movement itself. Several stores refused to stock their recordings, sparking debate about censorship in rock music. Jello Biafra became an active campaigner against the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), culminating in an obscenity trial in 1985-1986 which resulted in a hung jury.
The group released a total of four studio albums and one EP before disbanding in 1986. Following the band's dissolution, Jello Biafra continued to collaborate and record with other artists including D.O.A., NoMeansNo and his own bands Lard and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, as well as releasing spoken word performances and becoming an activist with the Green Party.
In 2000, Jello Biafra lost an acrimonious legal case initiated by his former Dead Kennedys band mates over songwriting credits and unpaid royalties. In 2001, the band reformed; various singers have since been recruited for vocal duties.
Forward to Death
Dead Kennedys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't stand your attitudes
I can do without your strife
I don't need this fucking world
I don't need this fucking world
This world brings me down
Gag with every breath
I'm looking forward to death
It seems so unreal to me
So much hate and so mouch pity
I can't take another day
It's such a bore
It gets me really sore
I don't need this fucking world
I don't need this fucking world
This world brings me down
Gag with every breath
This world brings me down
I'm looking forward to death
Looking forward to death
Looking forward to death
The Dead Kennedys' song "Forward to Death" is a powerful statement about disillusionment and frustration with the world we live in. The lyrics portray a sense of anger and contempt towards society, and the singer refuses to conform to the dominant culture and values that make him feel isolated, suffocated and frustrated.
The opening lines of the song epitomize the defiance and rejection of conformity – "I don't need your way of life/I can't stand your attitudes/I can do without your strife/I don't need this f*****g world." The persona rejects the established way of life, the attitudes of those around him, and the constant struggles and challenges of this world. He is disillusioned and disenchanted, and sees no value in conforming to the dominant culture and its dysfunctional systems.
The persona's bitterness and sense of isolation are palpable throughout the song – "This world brings me down/Gag with every breath/I'm looking forward to death." The frustration and disgust with the world are almost unbearable, and the desire for escape is clear. The persona's focus is on the final release – death, and he longs for it with a sense of anticipation and hope.
All in all, "Forward to Death" is a satirical but nonetheless honest commentary on the frustration with society and the endless cycles of struggles and challenges that life throws at us.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't need your way of life
I reject the lifestyle that society is imposing on me.
I can't stand your attitudes
I am repelled by the negative and judgmental attitudes of others.
I can do without your strife
I don't need the conflicts and difficulties that come with interacting with people like you.
I don't need this fucking world
I don't feel at home in this world and don't see the value of staying here.
This world brings me down
I feel weighed down and oppressed by the world around me.
Gag with every breath
I am suffocating and sickened by the toxic atmosphere of the world.
I'm looking forward to death
I am desperate for an escape from this world and am almost eager to die.
It seems so unreal to me
The world seems incredibly fake and artificial to me.
So much hate and so much pity
There is an overwhelming amount of hostility and disgust in the world, as well as a lot of pointless sympathy.
I can't take another day
I am so fed up with the world that I can't bear to face another day in it.
It's such a bore
The world is incredibly dull and monotonous to me.
It gets me really sore
Being in the world is exhausting and aggravating to me.
Looking forward to death
I am eagerly anticipating the relief and peace that will come with death.
Looking forward to death
I am eagerly anticipating the relief and peace that will come with death.
Looking forward to death
I am eagerly anticipating the relief and peace that will come with death.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EAST BAY RAY, KLAUS FLUORIDE, CARLOS CADONA, D.H PELIGRO, JELLO BIAFRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
georgeharrison70
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is such an awesome album, definitely one of the best punk albums of all time. Great guitar work with elements of hardcore, surf and psychedelia, great rhythm section, great vocals/lyrics....everything about this album is great.
dylan24
I want this song played at my funeral.
Leftist Rhet
Marionette me and everything on a guitar
B earthorn
@Graeme83 im getting played The Clash, should i stay or should i go now .. and for an encore, flip that 7 over to go straight to hell!
Graeme83
Then you'd have nothing to look forward to
B earthorn
ive got in my will…Play the clash should i stay or go and than Straight to Hell
Teabonesteak
You are already there though how could you be looking forward to it?
Ryan Matthews
I love how Jello brings every word to life with his unique voice every time he sings a song. One of if not THEE greatest voices in punk rock!
Joachim Peiper
One of the best punk songs ever. Its tune is really chaotic making you give it hell, by dancing only with violence
Doug Smith
Ted is a very underrated drummer...his hi-hat/snare work on the early songs is incredible...the intro of "Forward to Death" is a prime example of how shit hot he was. Notice how Klaus Flouride is off the freakin planet on many of the earlier DKs tunes...especially the ones that 6025 wrote...it's partly due to Ted's drumming and, his talent for never overplaying and, for his precision hi-hat/snare (much like Tommy Ramone or DEVOs Alan Myers) and, incredibly interesting/tasteful nuances and creative fills and, use of the kit...and, cutting one killer pocket that swings like hell with moments of space for Klaus to explore