The Message
Grandmaster Melle Mel Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five Lyrics

It's like a jungle sometimes
Life is chaotic and unpredictable

It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
I'm barely managing to keep my head above water

Broken glass everywhere
The environment is dangerous and damaged

People pissin' on the stairs, you know they just don't care
The community is apathetic and uncivilized

I can't take the smell, can't take the noise
The conditions are unbearable

Got no money to move out, I guess I got no choice
I'm trapped in my circumstances due to lack of resources

Rats in the front room, roaches in the back
The infestation is everywhere

Junkies in the alley with a baseball bat
Drug abuse and violence are prevalent

I tried to get away but I couldn't get far
I attempted to leave but was unsuccessful

Cause a man with a tow truck repossessed my car
My vehicle was seized by a creditor

Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge
I'm at the brink of a breakdown

I'm trying not to lose my head
I'm striving to maintain my composure

Standin' on the front stoop hangin' out the window
I'm observing the outside world from my home

Watchin' all the cars go by, roarin' as the breezes blow
The noise and activity outside contrasts with my situation

Crazy lady, livin' in a bag
A mentally ill woman living on the streets

Eatin' outta garbage pails, used to be a fag hag
She scavenges for food and used to associate with gay men

Said she'll dance the tango, skip the light fandango
She speaks incoherently and delusionally

A Zircon princess seemed to lost her senses
An unwell woman with delusions of grandeur

Down at the peep show watchin' all the creeps
Frequenting a strip club and observing unsavory characters

So she can tell her stories to the girls back home
To entertain others with tales of her unconventional life

She went to the city and got so so seditty
She became pretentious and affected after moving to the city

She had to get a pimp, she couldn't make it on her own
She resorted to prostitution due to financial hardship

My brother's doin' bad, stole my mother's TV
My sibling has resorted to theft to support their lifestyle

Says she watches too much, it's just not healthy
My mother's television watching is excessive and detrimental

All My Children in the daytime, Dallas at night
She watches soap operas during the day and dramatic shows at night

Can't even see the game or the Sugar Ray fight
She's not interested in sports programming

The bill collectors, they ring my phone
I'm being harassed for payment by creditors

And scare my wife when I'm not home
My spouse is intimidated by these calls in my absence

Got a bum education, double-digit inflation
My schooling was inadequate, and the economy is suffering with high inflation

Can't take the train to the job, there's a strike at the station
Public transportation is inaccessible due to labor disputes

Neon King Kong standin' on my back
The pressure of society weighs me down

Can't stop to turn around, broke my sacroiliac
I can't pause and rest, and my back is injured

A mid-range migraine, cancered membrane
I'm experiencing painful physical symptoms

Sometimes I think I'm goin' insane
I feel like I'm losing my mind

I swear I might hijack a plane!
I'm so desperate and unstable, I may consider an extreme act

My son said, Daddy, I don't wanna go to school
My child expresses reluctance to attend classes

Cause the teacher's a jerk, he must think I'm a fool
The educator is unpleasant and appears to have a negative attitude towards my child

And all the kids smoke reefer, I think it'd be cheaper
Peers are using drugs, and my child is considering an alternative path

If I just got a job, learned to be a street sweeper
A menial job may be a better option

Or dance to the beat, shuffle my feet
Entertainment careers may be viable

Wear a shirt and tie and run with the creeps
Conform to societal norms and associate with unsavory characters

Cause it's all about money, ain't a damn thing funny
Success is measured by material wealth

You got to have a con in this land of milk and honey
Deception and fraud can lead to financial success

They pushed that girl in front of the train
A violent and traumatizing incident occurred

Took her to the doctor, sewed her arm on again
Medical attention is necessary after the attack

Stabbed that man right in his heart
Another act of violence has occurred

Gave him a transplant for a brand new start
Modern medicine provides a second chance

I can't walk through the park cause it's crazy after dark
Public parks are dangerous in the evening

Keep my hand on my gun cause they got me on the run
I'm fearful and armed due to threats to my physical safety

I feel like a outlaw, broke my last glass jaw
I'm anti-social and have a damaged reputation

Hear them say "You want some more?"
I'm taunted and provoked

Livin' on a see-saw
Life is a constant struggle

A child is born with no state of mind
Babies are born without preconceived notions

Blind to the ways of mankind
They are innocent and unaware of societal constructs

God is smilin' on you but he's frownin' too
A religious perspective acknowledges both blessings and challenges

Because only God knows what you'll go through
The future is unknown and beyond human control

You'll grow in the ghetto livin' second-rate
Upbringing in impoverished areas can lead to limited opportunities

And your eyes will sing a song called deep hate
This environment can foster resentment and anger

The places you play and where you stay
Limited resources and options dictate recreation and housing

Looks like one great big alleyway
The appearance of the neighborhood is dilapidated and depressing

You'll admire all the number-book takers
Illicit gambling operators will be respected and emulated

Thugs, pimps and pushers and the big money-makers
Criminal elements and entrepreneurs that profit from them are glorified

Drivin' big cars, spendin' twenties and tens
Luxury symbols signify success and prestige

And you'll wanna grow up to be just like them, huh
The cycle of idolizing and imitating negative role models will continue

Smugglers, scramblers, burglars, gamblers
Illegal activities and trade will be present in the community

Pickpocket peddlers, even panhandlers
Petty crime and poverty are unavoidable

You say I'm cool, huh, I'm no fool
I reject your flattering but misguided designation

But then you wind up droppin' outta high school
Your potential won't be fully realized through education

Now you're unemployed, all non-void
You're out of work and without purpose

Walkin' round like you're Pretty Boy Floyd
You attempt to mask feelings of insecurity and inadequacy

Turned stick-up kid, but look what you done did
You turned to crime and have numerous criminal offenses

Got sent up for a eight-year bid
You've been sentenced to prison for eight years

Now your manhood is took and you're a Maytag
Your loss of freedom and personal autonomy has emasculated you

Spend the next two years as a undercover fag
You're subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation while incarcerated

Bein' used and abused to serve like hell
You're subjected to indignities and trauma during this time

Til one day, you was found hung dead in the cell
You committed suicide as a result of these circumstances

It was plain to see that your life was lost
It's clear that your downward spiral resulted in your untimely death

You were cold and your body swung back and forth
Your lifeless body was suspended and exposed

But now your eyes sing the sad, sad song
Your perspective is one of sadness and despair

Of how you lived so fast and died so young so
Your short and tumultuous existence ended quickly and painfully