For Us
Erik Jackson/Mr. Moods Lyrics

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So you think you can speak for me
And you say you see everything clearly
But your facts don't quite add up
And your plans are frankly eerie

Your head's in the sand
Fingers are in your years

You don't speak for us
No no no no
You don't speak for us
No no no no

There's a boy you'll never know
An aching mother is praying and crying for her child
So many things you just don't get
Your little head, just don't fret

Your head's in the sand
Fingers are in your ears
Lying through your teeth
You bring misery for years

You don't speak for us
No no no no
You don't speak for us
No no no no

Every child deserves a decent education
Every person has a right to dignity and liberation
Our planet is ill and so is our society
Stop, listen

If not for headlines sipping tea
These troubled streets you would never see
But they have a voice and will be heard
We have a voice and will be heard

You don't speak for us
No no no no

You don't speak for us
No no no no

Overall Meaning

The song "For Us" by Erik Jackson/Mr. Moods is a political and critical comment on those who claim to speak for people who do not actually share their views. The lyrics assert that the singer, though they claim to see "everything clearly," do not truly understand the struggles of those they claim to represent. The words "your facts don't quite add up, and your plans are frankly eerie" suggest a sense of distrust and suspicion towards the person in question. The line "there's a boy you'll never know" indicates that they are ignorant of the realities facing everyday people.

The repeated phrase "you don't speak for us" emphasizes the theme of the song. The lyrics suggest that the person being addressed is not only ignoring the suffering of others but also actively causing harm. They are "lying through your teeth" and "bringing misery for years." The anger and frustration in the song are palpable as the lyrics warn against blindly accepting the perspectives of those who do not understand the struggles of marginalized communities.

Line by Line Meaning

So you think you can speak for me
The singer is challenging someone who thinks they understand and can claim to know everything about their perspective

And you say you see everything clearly
The singer is calling out the person who claims to have perfect knowledge and understanding of their situation

But your facts don't quite add up
The singer is pointing out the fact that the other person's arguments or points do not make sense or are not supported by evidence

And your plans are frankly eerie
The artist finds the other person's plans disturbing or unsettling

Your head's in the sand
The artist is saying the other person is ignoring or denying the truth, like an ostrich with their head in the sand

Fingers are in your ears
The other person is also not listening and not willing to understand, like covering one's ears

You don't speak for us
The singer is making it clear that the other person does not represent or understand their community, beliefs, or needs

There's a boy you'll never know
The artist is drawing attention to someone the other person is ignorant of or will never comprehend, which highlights their lack of understanding

An aching mother is praying and crying for her child
The artist describes a heartbreaking situation where a mother is in distress for her child, which the other person cannot grasp

So many things you just don't get
The artist is emphasizing the many things the other person clearly does not understand or comprehend

Your little head, just don't fret
The singer is mocking the other person's limited perspective and encouraging them not to worry or stress about issues they don't understand

Lying through your teeth
The artist accuses the other person of lying, which implies an intention to deceive, especially when they claim to understand them or represent their interests

You bring misery for years
The singer is suggesting that the other person's policies, actions, or attitudes will continue to cause harm, pain, or suffering in their community for an extended period of time

Every child deserves a decent education
The singer emphasizes the importance of every child, regardless of income or background, receiving a quality education

Every person has a right to dignity and liberation
The singer asserts the fundamental human right of all individuals to be treated with respect and freedom

Our planet is ill and so is our society
The artist highlights the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues, and how both require healing

Stop, listen
The artist is urging the other person to pause and pay attention, to try and understand their perspective and needs

If not for headlines sipping tea
The singer is saying that if it weren't for news articles and media coverage, the other person would not be aware of the struggles and injustices their community is facing

These troubled streets you would never see
The singer is suggesting that the other person is disconnected and privileged, never experiencing or noticing the struggles and challenges of marginalized communities

But they have a voice and will be heard
The artist is asserting that their community has the power and determination to speak up and demand change despite the other person's ignorance or apathy

We have a voice and will be heard
The artist is reminding the other person that their community is not powerless or voiceless, and they will fight for their rights and needs

You don't speak for us
The artist reiterates that the other person cannot represent or speak for their community, beliefs, or needs

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Ange Tonge

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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