!!!!!Dirty Harry
Gorillaz Lyrics


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I need a gun to keep myself from harm
The poor people are burning in the sun
But they ain't got a chance
They ain't got a chance
I need a gun
'Cause all I do is dance
'Cause all I do is dance
I need a gun to keep myself from harm
The poor people are burning in the sun
No, they ain't got a chance
They ain't got a chance
I need a gun
'Cause all I do is dance
'Cause all I do is dance

In my backpack
I got my act right
In case you act quite difficult
And yo is so weakin'
With anger and discontent
Some are seeking and searching like me, moi

I'm a peace-loving decoy
Ready for retaliation
I change the whole occasion to a pine box six-under
Impulsive don't ask wild wonder
Orders given to me is
Strike and I'm thunder with lightning fast reflexes
On constant alert from the constant hurt
That seems limitless with no dropping pressure
Seems like everybody's out to test ya
'Til they see you brake
They can't conceal the hate that consumes you
I'm the reason why you flipped your soosa

Chill with your old lady at the tilt
I got a ninety days digit
And I'm filled with guilt
From things that I've seen
Your water's from a bottle
Mine's from a canteen
At night I hear the shots
Ring so I'm a light sleeper
The cost of life,
It seems to get cheaper
Out in the desert
With my street sweeper
The war is over
So said the speaker with the flight suit on
Maybe to him I'm just a pawn
So he can advance
Remember when I used to dance
Man, all I want to do is dance





I need a gun to keep myself from harm

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gorillaz feat. Bootie Brown and San Fernandez Youth Chorus's song Dirty Harry delve into themes of personal safety, poverty, and the influence of violent culture on society. The repeated chorus of "I need a gun to keep myself from harm" speaks to the fears and anxieties that lead individuals to feel the need to arm themselves. This line is further contextualized by the reference to "poor people burning in the sun" who are powerless to protect themselves, further highlighting the systemic inequalities that can lead to violent conflicts.


The verse rapped by Bootie Brown adds to this socio-political commentary with references to revenge and retaliation. The line "I change the whole occasion to a pine box six-under" speaks to the ultimate consequences of violent conflicts. The verse also touches on the idea of being a "peace-loving decoy" and the constant pressure and stress involved in trying to maintain peace in a society that is rife with danger and potential for conflict.


Overall, the lyrics to Dirty Harry are complex and multi-layered, speaking to issues that are relevant not only in the context of the time they were written but also continue to be relevant today.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAMON ALBARN, BRIAN BURTON, JAMIE HEWLETT, ROMYE ROBINSON

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

@Hihseu

The lyrics:

I need a gun to keep myself among
The poor people who are burning in the sun
But they ain't got a chance
They ain't got a chance
I need a gun
'Cause all I do is dance
'Cause all I do is dance

I need a gun to keep myself among
The poor people who are burning in the sun
But they ain't got a chance
They ain't got a chance
I need a gun
'Cause all I do is dance
'Cause all I do is dance

In my backpack
I got my act right
In case you act quite difficult
And your result weaken
With anger and discontent
Some are seeking in search of like Nimoy
I'm a peace-loving decoy
Ready for retaliation
I change the whole occasion to a pine box, six-under
Impulsive, don't ask why or wonder
Orders given to me is
Strike and I'm thunder with lightning fast reflexes
On constant alert from the constant hurt
That seems limitless with no dropping pressure
Seems like everybody's out to test ya
'Til they see you brake
You can't conceal the hate that consumes you
I'm the reason why you fill up your Isuzu
Chill with your old lady at the tilt
I got a ninety-day extension
And I'm filled with guilt
From things that I seen
Your water's from a bottle
Mine's from a canteen
At night I hear the shots ring
So I'm a light sleeper
The cost of life
It seems to get cheaper
Out in the desert
With my street sweeper
"The war is over"
So said the speaker
With the flight suit on
Maybe to him I'm just a pawn
So he can advance
Remember when I used to dance
Man, all I wanna do is dance

I need a gun to keep myself among



@kaitlync4116

If you want specifics:

"In my backpack, I got my act right in case you act quite difficult"
(Referring to armed on-the-ground soldiers in uniform)

"And your result weaken with anger and discontent"
(Soldier who are worn down and become more and more haunted by what they're doing and less willing to fight)

"Some are seekin' and searchin' like Nimoy"
(This could have a double meaning: soldiers who enlist to genuinely provide aid (like Star Trek, to explore and not fight), or soldiers searching for guerilla operations)

"I'm a peace-loving decoy, ready for retaliation
I change your whole location to a pine box six under"
(The American military entered under the guise of aiding locals, but engaged in numerous operations which resulted in deaths of non-combantants)

"Impulsive, don't ask why or wonder
Orders given to me is strike and I'm thunder
With lightning-fast reflexes"
(Refers to the military creed of obeying orders without question, or reasoning behind operations. Soldiers often enter combat without all of the special intelligence their superiors have, without complete knowledge of why the operation is being carried out)

"On constant alert from the constant hurt
That seems limitless with no drop in pressure
It seems like everybody's out to test ya 'til they see you break"
(The wars continued on with very little gain for years, with soldiers being deployed repeatedly without sustained success)

"You can't conceal the hate that consumes you"
(Soldiers becoming more and more haunted and resentful, developing PTSD, and realizing their country only supports them in a superficial way, as figures and not as people who are suffering. On the flip side, there were also soldiers who came to resent the "enemy" more and more and numerous war crimes were committed by individuals or whole units)

"I'm the reason why you fill up your Isuzu
Chill with your old lady at the tilt"
(The American military was deployed to secure oil deposits and interests in order to continue oil exports to the US. Meanwhile, as the war dragged on, civilians lived in comfort as oil exports continued)

"I got a ninety-day extension and I'm filled with guilt
From things done and seen
Your water's from a bottle, mine's from a canteen
At night I hear the shots ring, so I'm a light sleeper
The cost of life, it seems to get cheaper"
(All of this refers to the development of PTSD)

"Out in the desert with my street sweeper
"The war is over", so said the speaker
With the flight suit on"
(President George Bush famously donned Navy flight gear and declared that the war was over, while continuing to deploy active troops for years; this is a visual comparison of an armed on-the-ground soldier in active combat versus a president in flight gear)

"Maybe to him, I'm just a pawn
So he can advance"
(American soldiers were and are not well supported during their deployment or after, and are often left untreated or poorly treated for PTSD and physical injuries by the VA medical system. Therefore it refers to soldiers being used and thrown away for special interests. The war was often used as a way for politicians to manipulate and advance their own agendas)

"Remember when I used to dance?
Man, all I wanna do is dance"
(The urge to return to a more peaceful and happy life)



All comments from YouTube:

@jamesscott7215

I like the idea that while 2D was waiting for the others to come pick him up, he just played this song to keep the kids entertained

@savannahwtge

THATS ADORABLE I

@lewistillett206

Who is 2D?

@Yolobro2

@Amber Buckley I thought it was murdoc who was the lead

@cai1aa

@Amber Buckley lol "eyes"

@cai1aa

@@Yolobro2 Murdoc made the band but made 2D the lead singer

253 More Replies...

@salty5862

Imagine being stranded in the desert with no water or food and when somebody finally comes to save you they start rapping

@cai1aa

With kids too

@meeebish8287

Being saved with a show I call that a win

@SutekhChroma

Lit asf, lol

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