Punk rock band formed in 1989 by former All, DYS and Dag Nasty frontman Dav… Read Full Bio ↴Punk rock band formed in 1989 by former All, DYS and Dag Nasty frontman Dave Smalley, who is the only permanent member. The band has recorded 7 studio albums. They stayed on "Epitaph Records" until 1998 and have since switched to other labels. Down by Law has never achieved substantial commercial success, but a number of largely popular acts cite them as influential. After several lineup changes, the band went on hiatus from touring and recording in 2003, but resurfaced in 2008 before beginning work on new material and embarking on their first tour in six years in 2009.
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American Dream
Down By Law Lyrics

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Looking down the street today
Crime and war is all I've got to see
You look around, you want to know
Is it really my country?
Sometimes I wonder where it went
Is it in bombs they always send
To killers round the world?
Where's the other side

Of my American dream?
And still they teach that dream in school
Equality from sea to shining sea
You look around, you want to know
Is it really my country?
You see that man there on the ground
Just step over or around
His dreams have brought him down
Where's the other side
Of my American dream

Where's the other side
Where's the other side

Overall Meaning

The Down By Law song American Dream is a reflection on the state of the United States and its ideals. The song opens with the singer observing crime and war on the streets, expressing a sense of disillusionment with the country. The lyrics then question what has happened to the American dream, and whether it still exists. The singer wonders whether the quest for global dominance and conflicts overseas have overshadowed the principles of equality that the country was built on.

The song also touches on the issue of social inequality and the treatment of the less fortunate members of society. The line, "you see that man there on the ground, just step over or around," highlights the lack of empathy and compassion that can be found in contemporary American society. The American dream, which promises equal opportunity and prosperity, seems elusive and unattainable to many who are struggling to get by.

Overall, American Dream is a critique of the current state of the United States, and an exploration of whether the ideals that the nation was founded on are still relevant in the modern world.

Line by Line Meaning

Looking down the street today
As I gaze across my surroundings, my attention is drawn to the negative forces that exist in society

Crime and war is all I've got to see
Everywhere I look, there is evidence of violence and conflict, overshadowing all other aspects of life

You look around, you want to know
As I survey my surroundings, I find myself questioning the state of my country and its values

Is it really my country?
I am unsure if the current state of my country aligns with my personal beliefs and ideals

Sometimes I wonder where it went
I am perplexed by the disappearance of the optimistic, prosperous America I learned about in the past

Is it in bombs they always send
I am questioning if my country's government is prioritizing aggressive military tactics over prioritizing peaceful solutions

To killers round the world?
I am questioning if my country's government is funding and arming oppressive regimes and violent military groups around the globe

Where's the other side
I am wondering if there is still a positive, hopeful aspect to the American dream that is being neglected

Of my American dream?
I am questioning if the American dream is an unattainable ideal or if it has simply been obscured by societal issues

And still they teach that dream in school
Despite the current state of affairs, the idealistic American dream is still being taught to young people in educational settings

Equality from sea to shining sea
The American dream promises equal opportunities and prosperity to all citizens, regardless of race, class, or gender

You look around, you want to know
As I examine my surroundings once again, I am still searching for evidence of the American dream in action

Is it really my country?
I am still unsure if the current state of affairs aligns with my personal beliefs and understanding of the American dream

You see that man there on the ground
I am witnessing the struggles and hardships faced by vulnerable members of society

Just step over or around
However, society seems to ignore or even actively avoid such issues, opting for self-preservation

His dreams have brought him down
The individual in question is a victim of a system that reinforces the suppression of individuals who do not conform to societal norms

Where's the other side
I am still searching for the positive aspects of the American dream that seem to be lacking in my current society

Of my American dream
I am still unsure if the American dream can be achieved in its true form, or if it has simply become an idealistic fairy tale

Where's the other side
I am still searching for the positive aspects of the American dream that seem to be lacking in my current society

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE SMALLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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