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.
Halloween
Dead Kennedys Lyrics
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Yow!
Oh!
Aaah, y-y-y-yeah!
So it's Halloween
And you feel like dancin'
And you feel like shinin'
Whatcha gonna be?
Babe, you better know
And you better plan
Better plan all day
Better plan all week, better plan all month, better plan all year
You're dressed up like a clown
Putting on your act
It's the only time all year you'll ever admit that
I can see your eyes, I can see your brain, baby, nothing's changed
I can see your eyes, I can see your brain, baby, nothing's changed
Because you're still hiding in a mask
Take your fun seriously
No, don't blow this year's chance
Tomorrow your mold goes back on
After Halloween, after Halloween
Whee!
You'll go to work today
You'll go to work tomorrow
Shitfaced tonight
You'll brag about it for months
"Remember what I did, remember what I was, back on Halloween?"
But what's in between
Where are your ideas?
You sit around and dream
For next Halloween
Why not everyday, are you so afraid, what will people say?
Why not everyday, are you so afraid, what will people say?
After Halloween
After Halloween
After Halloween
Because your role is planned for you
There's nothing you can do
But stop and think it through
But what will the boss say to you?
And what will your girlfriend say to you?
And the people out on the street they might glare at you
And whadaya know, you're pretty self-conscious too?
So you run back and stuff yourselves in rigid business costumes
Only at night to score is your leather uniform exhumed
Why don't you take your social regulations, shove 'em up your ass?
Why don't you take your social regulations, shove 'em up your ass?
Why don't you take your social regulations, just shove 'em
Up your ass?
The Dead Kennedys' song "Halloween" is a critique of social conformity and the idea that people only feel free to express themselves on certain occasions, such as Halloween. The opening lines are full of energy and set the tone for the idea that this is a time for letting loose and having fun. However, the lyrics quickly turn introspective, calling on the listener to reflect on their own behavior.
The song suggests that people put too much emphasis on conforming to societal expectations, to the point that they only allow themselves to be their true selves on rare occasions. The line "I can see your eyes, I can see your brain, baby, nothing's changed" is a call-out to the fact that people may dress up in costumes, but their true selves are still hidden behind layers of social conditioning. The song urges listeners to break free from this pattern and to embrace their true selves every day, not just on special occasions.
Overall, "Halloween" is a powerful critique of social conformity and a call to action for listeners to break free from societal expectations and embrace their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
So it's Halloween
It's Halloween
And you feel like dancin'
You feel like dancing
And you feel like shinin'
You feel like shining
And you feel like letting loose
You feel like letting loose
Whatcha gonna be?
What costume are you going to wear?
Babe, you better know
You better figure it out
And you better plan
You better plan it
Better plan all day
Plan all day
Better plan all week, better plan all month, better plan all year
Plan for a long time
You're dressed up like a clown
You're wearing a clown costume
Putting on your act
You're acting
It's the only time all year you'll ever admit that
It's the only time you'll admit to enjoying it
I can see your eyes, I can see your brain, baby, nothing's changed
You're still the same underneath the mask
Because you're still hiding in a mask
You're still hiding behind your costume
Take your fun seriously
Enjoy yourself
No, don't blow this year's chance
Don't waste this opportunity
Tomorrow your mold goes back on
Tomorrow you have to go back to your normal routine
You'll go to work today
You'll go to work today
You'll go to work tomorrow
You'll go to work tomorrow
Shitfaced tonight
Drunk tonight
You'll brag about it for months
You'll talk about it for a long time
"Remember what I did, remember what I was, back on Halloween?"
You'll remember what you did on Halloween
But what's in between
What about the time in-between Halloweens
Where are your ideas?
What are your plans in the meantime?
You sit around and dream
You're just dreaming
For next Halloween
For the next Halloween
Why not everyday, are you so afraid, what will people say?
Why not be yourself every day? Are you afraid of people's opinions?
After Halloween
After Halloween
Because your role is planned for you
Society determines your role
There's nothing you can do
You can't do anything about it
But stop and think it through
Think about it
But what will the boss say to you?
What will your boss think?
And what will your girlfriend say to you?
What will your girlfriend think?
And the people out on the street they might glare at you
People might judge you
And whadaya know, you're pretty self-conscious too?
You're self-conscious
So you run back and stuff yourselves in rigid business costumes
You conform to societal expectations
Only at night to score is your leather uniform exhumed
Only at night do you allow yourself to be free
Why don't you take your social regulations, shove 'em up your ass?
Why don't you break free from societal expectations?
Why don't you take your social regulations, just shove 'em up your ass?
Why don't you rebel against societal expectations?
Why don't you take your social regulations, shove 'em
Why don't you break free from societal expectations?
Up your ass?
Rebel against societal expectations
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KLAUS FLOURIDE, JELLO BIAFRA, EAST BAY RAY, D.H. PELIGRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yo mamma
on This Could Be Anywhere
fuck yo
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