Warrant
Foster the People Lyrics


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Well I've been just
I've been a bug unknown
I know all about it
But my heart is strong

I've been away
Been running to save my head
Yeah the warrants out and I'm almost there
No ones said what I've already said

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

I've thought a lot about the way that they fight
Come through the phone lines, not man enough to face me
I can stop or argue about what they say
Yeah the warrants out and I'm not gonna pay
I said what I'm gonna say

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

He was like a fake friend who warms you up and takes you in
You mouth the words but no sound comes out
And he was like your best friend who wakes you up and takes you in
You mouth the words and sound again

You don't know better
You don't know better

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

Got to get away
Everyone inside my head
Got to get away
They want me alive or dead

Overall Meaning

The song "Warrant" by Foster the People is a powerful song about trying to escape one's past and inner demons. The lyrics speak to the feelings of being trapped and pursued by one's own mind and the world outside. The singer has been on the run, hiding from something or someone as a warrant is out for his capture. He is trying to escape the voices inside his own head, suggesting a possible struggle with mental health issues or addiction. Despite feeling exhausted and worn down, his heart remains strong, and he is determined to escape this life.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "got to get away" emphasizing the feeling of being trapped and pursued. The imagery of someone trying to come through the phone lines and harass him adds to the paranoid tone of the song. The bridge seems to suggest that he has been betrayed by someone close to him, a "fake friend" or "best friend" who spoke but didn't make sense; these lines might even suggest the possibility of someone hearing voices or suffering from a psychosis. However, an alternative interpretation suggests a dialogue between the singer's own doubts and self-confidence, making the last part of the song even more powerful.


The song fades away with a repetition of the phrase "They want me alive or dead," creating a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness, and despair. Overall, "Warrant" is a deep and emotive song that speaks to the struggle of escaping one's past, both internal or external, and finding a way to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I've been just
I have been acting in a certain way


I've been a bug unknown
I have been unnoticed despite my presence


I know all about it
I understand the situation


But my heart is strong
But I am still resilient


I've been away
I have been distant


Been running to save my head
Trying to escape repercussions


Yeah the warrants out and I'm almost there
A warrant for my arrest exists, and I am near its execution


No ones said what I've already said
My words don't differ from the truth


Got to get away
I must escape


Everyone inside my head
The thoughts within my mind


They want me alive or dead
Their motivation is either my life or death


I've thought a lot about the way that they fight
I have analyzed their mode of attack


Come through the phone lines, not man enough to face me
They use technology as a shield instead of confronting me


I can stop or argue about what they say
I can either halt or debate their accusation


Yeah the warrants out and I'm not gonna pay
The authorities want me, but I don't intend to comply


I said what I'm gonna say
My opinions have already been expressed


He was like a fake friend who warms you up and takes you in
He behaved like a phony ally who initially appears welcoming


You mouth the words but no sound comes out
You try to express yourself, but your voice is silenced


And he was like your best friend who wakes you up and takes you in
He was like a faithful companion who awakens you and invites you in


You mouth the words and sound again
You articulate your thoughts audibly


You don't know better
You are unaware of the truth


Got to get away
I must escape


Everyone inside my head
The thoughts within my mind


They want me alive or dead
Their motivation is either my life or death


Got to get away
I must escape


Everyone inside my head
The thoughts within my mind


They want me alive or dead
Their motivation is either my life or death


Got to get away
I must escape


Everyone inside my head
The thoughts within my mind


They want me alive or dead
Their motivation is either my life or death


Got to get away
I must escape


Everyone inside my head
The thoughts within my mind


They want me alive or dead
Their motivation is either my life or death




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK FOSTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@olive8tree

[Verse 1]
Well, I've been judged, I've been a bug unknown
I know all about it, but my heart is strong
I've been away, been running to save my head
Yeah, the warrant's out and I'm almost dead
I won't say what I've already said

[Chorus]
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away, they want me alive or dead
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away 'cause they want me alive or dead

[Verse 2]
I've thought a lot about the way that they fight
Come through the phone lines, not man enough to face me
I can't stop or argue about what they say
Yeah, the warrant's out and I'm not gonna pay
I said what I'm gonna say

[Chorus]
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away, they want me alive or dead
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away 'cause they want me alive or dead
[Bridge]
Fear is like a fake friend
It warms you up and takes you in
You mouth the words but no sound comes out
And fear is like your best friend
Manipulates and takes you in
You mouth the words, no sound again
But you don't know better, you don't know better

[Chorus]
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away, they want me alive or dead
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away 'cause they want me alive or dead
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away, they want me alive or dead
Got to get away, yeah, the warrant's on my head
Got to get away 'cause they want me alive or dead



@serranosanchezericksamuel1693

Well I've been just I've been a bug unknown
I know all about it but my heart is strong

I've been away been running to save my head
Yeah the warrants out and I'm almost there
No ones said what I've already said

Got to get away, yeah the warran'ts on my head
Got to get away, they want me alive or dead (2x)

I've thought a lot about the way fight
Come through the phone lines, not man enough to face me

I can stop or argue about what they say
Yeah the warrants out and I'm gonna pay
I said what I'm gonna say

Got to get away, yeah the warran'ts on my head
Got to get away, they want me alive or dead (2x)

He was like a fake friend who warms you up and takes you in
You mouth the words but no sound comes out

And he was like your best friend who wakes you up and takes you in
You mouth the words and sound again

Don't know better
Don't know better

Got to get away, yeah the warran'ts on my head
Got to get away, they want me alive or dead (4x)



All comments from YouTube:

@derekhughes8318

Love the first part just like angels singing beautiful

@carlosrubio604

And after, all the power 👍👍👍👍

@adrianacanul3720

Ese intro, es tan perfecto...
Espero que hayan muchos años más de Foster The People por favor

@thedashedboi

Ya salio Paradise State of Mind ❤

@robashlicarrafa4876

"Pumped Up Kicks" is what made the world notice Foster, but "Warrant" has always been my favorite song. The humming bassline gets stuck in my head sometimes for days lol. Duuum-Dum-Dum-Dum...Love it!

@Pliskin2894

This song and Broken Jaw are top tier Foster the People songs, at least to me. Such bangers. I agree though, that bass line is something else, you feel it in your bones.

@thatstupidthomasfan

​@@Pliskin2894for real. pumped up kicks is great, but so overrated. this, Broken Jaw, Downtown, and Houndini are my favourites of all time by this band.

@chriscarls7080

Same

@LeoRex13

This song played over the end credits of my 20s

@luizsanches7551

I will never forget Torches Tour with this one as the opening track. Such a vibe!

Happy 10 years Warrant! Happy 10 years Torches!

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