Albert - Drums & Lead Vocals
Ken - Guitar & Vocals
Doug - Bass & Vocals
Punk for Dummies
Hellnation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And they'll tell you what to do
But soon enough they'll be gone
After all the "in it for life" songs
Phony bullshit stance
Sounds good to the crowd
No thought behind the words
Young dumb and loud
The lyrics to Hellnation's song Punk for Dummies are a scathing critique of those who claim to be punk but are only temporarily passing through the scene. The opening lines suggest that these people only stick around for a year or two before moving on to something else, but during their time in the punk scene, they act like they know everything and try to dictate to others what to do. However, the song suggests that these people never really understand what punk is about and are only interested in the short-term thrill of rebellion.
The lyrics continue by targeting those who claim to be in it for life but don't understand the true meanings behind the "in it for life" songs. The song's message is that these people are just posing and pretending to be something they're not. The final lines of the chorus sum up the song's message, with the band calling these posers out for their phony bullshit stance and suggesting that their words have no real thought or meaning behind them. Overall, the song is a call to authenticity and a warning against shallow posers who use punk as a fashion statement rather than a movement.
Line by Line Meaning
They're around for a year or two
These self-appointed punk 'experts' show up for a brief period of time
And they'll tell you what to do
They'll act like they know everything about punk and how it should be done
But soon enough they'll be gone
These so-called experts won't last long and will eventually disappear
After all the 'in it for life' songs
Despite claiming to be passionate about punk for life, they only stick around for a short time
Phony bullshit stance
Their attitude and opinions are fake and insincere
Sounds good to the crowd
The crowd may initially be impressed by their rhetoric
No thought behind the words
Their opinions are empty and not backed by any real knowledge or understanding
Young dumb and loud
These supposed punk experts are only loud and opinionated because they are young and naive
Contributed by Ethan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nukkleargarlicbread
I love it when the drummer of a band just absolutely hammers the kit.
@deadlyheadbang
and hes the singer!
@raven11356
Nothing like a relaxing afternoon listening to Hellnation at full bast, even the neighbors came to sing along.... or screaming something at me.
@stnz908
37 tracks on a 19 minute EP. This is satisfactory.
@davenic9781
It's not an EP mate, but a full length LP. I bought it when it came out at the time and saw them live the next year in the UK
@gman0047
Dave Nic that makes it even more satisfactory
@nuclearthieve
By far one of the fastest bands ever. Hell nation for life
@vincentrose9114
This band to me has to go down as one of the most unrelenting forms of music on the planet lol its just a pure assault haha it doesnt let up for a second, man I dont know how they do it
@reinereine1896
I love this record so much..... 😍😍
@atheistmoe5528
I bought it once it hit the stores I listened dozens/scores and hundreds of times over for days I loved It That Much Still Do