They ain't no angles either, … Read Full Bio ↴Amazing hip hop from Auckland New Zealand.
They ain't no angles either, but they really good dudes.
Enough said.
Listen and buy their 2012 double album, or get their EP's for free, here:
http://homebrew.bandcamp.com/
State Of Mind
Home Brew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And nothin' more than my thoughts and, no one else
I got my cell mate misery he knows me well
He keep me company and help me to, open my mail
And uh, he'll never tell anybody my secrets
That I keep, deep, underneath sheets of refill
Coz, people are lethal like the injection
You can never quite tell, despite the impressions so
You wanna search my cell I got, nothin to hide
You wanna frame me, kill me, milk me of my purity
But you keep me chained in maximum security
We're livin' in a world, wild full of wickedness
Where people treated like they're prisoners with no visitors
Every day, but I'm gonna figure out an escape plan
Gotta get up out of this cage man
They say that
Prison is a state of mind
I'm doin' time
Misery is a mate of mine
I heard that
Prison is a state of mind
I'm doin' time
Misery is a mate of mine
They say that
Prison is a state of mind
I'm doin' time
Misery is a mate of mine
It feels like
Prison is a state of mind
I'm doin' time, time, time
Sometimes I feel as if I'm doin' life
But, am I really alive
Or just survivin' inside solitary confinement
In the mind I'm, too scared of thinkin' out side of it
These bars so long I can't tell whose behind it
Shit, I guess I sold myself to the cell
To myself and I told myself that I failed
It's like, my biggest monster is, my own consciousness
Kept calm by his own self confidence
Chained up in the cuffs of his own thoughts
Opportunity rung I hung myself by the phone cord
Keep longin' for more than we hope for
Livin' the paradise thinkin bout jumpin the gold wall
Sit and think in my wrinkled jumpsuit
About my life from the outside as a young dude
I take a blunt spoon out of the lunch room
And try to dig a whole to the old I once knew
Even my brain's in handcuffs
The Home Brew song "State of Mind" is a reflection on the confinement and isolation that can come with imprisonment, but also suggests that this state of mind can be present even for those who are not physically incarcerated. The opening lines set the tone, describing the lonely cell and lack of human interaction in prison. The singer has only his cell mate Misery for company, suggesting that the oppressive atmosphere is, in a way, a companion. However, it's also noted that Misery is a trusted friend, willing to keep secrets and provide support. There's a sense that despite the bleakness of the situation, there is genuine connection and loyalty to be found, even in such dire circumstances.
The song then moves to a more existential level, suggesting that the state of mind associated with imprisonment is not confined to those behind bars. The singer questions whether they are really alive, or just surviving, trapped in their own thoughts. There's an acknowledgement that fears can keep someone from exploring their own mind, as they are too scared to think outside of it. This is further explored with the line "I guess I sold myself to the cell/To myself and I told myself that I failed," suggesting that sometimes, we become our own captors, locked inside our own negativity and limiting beliefs.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Prison is a state of mind," suggesting that this feeling of confinement and isolation can exist even for those who are not physically incarcerated. The repetition of the phrase seems to reinforce the idea that there is a cycle of mental imprisonment that can be difficult to break free from, but that it's possible to do so with the right mindset and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Just sittin' in my lonely cell, with my lonely self
I'm in jail, spending time alone with myself
And nothin' more than my thoughts and, no one else
I only have my thoughts to keep me company
I got my cell mate misery he knows me well
My emotions and struggles are my constant companion
He keep me company and help me to, open my mail
My thoughts and feelings are my only outlet
And uh, he'll never tell anybody my secrets
I can confide in myself and trust that my thoughts and feelings will remain private
That I keep, deep, underneath sheets of refill
My true emotions are buried deep inside me
Coz, people are lethal like the injection
Other people can be dangerous and unpredictable
You can never quite tell, despite the impressions so
It's hard to know who to trust
I never left screws up in my mind
I constantly try to keep my thoughts and emotions under control
You wanna search my cell I got, nothin to hide
My thoughts and feelings are already on display for me to see
But you keep me chained in maximum security
I feel trapped and confined by my own thoughts and emotions
We're livin' in a world, wild full of wickedness
The world is full of chaos and danger
Where people treated like they're prisoners with no visitors
People are often oppressed and isolated
Every day, but I'm gonna figure out an escape plan
I am constantly searching for a way to improve my situation
Gotta get up out of this cage man
I need to break free from my own thoughts and emotions
Prison is a state of mind
Being trapped by your own thoughts and emotions is like being in a mental prison
I'm doin' time
I am stuck in this situation
Misery is a mate of mine
My emotions and struggles are my constant companion
Sometimes I feel as if I'm doin' life
Sometimes life feels like an endless prison sentence
But, am I really alive
I question whether I am truly living or just surviving
Or just survivin' inside solitary confinement
I feel trapped and alone in my own thoughts and emotions
In the mind I'm, too scared of thinkin' out side of it
I am afraid to imagine a life beyond my current struggles
These bars so long I can't tell whose behind it
My struggles are so all-consuming that they obscure everything else
Shit, I guess I sold myself to the cell
I feel as though I am solely responsible for my own struggles
To myself and I told myself that I failed
I blame myself for my situation
It's like, my biggest monster is, my own consciousness
My own thoughts and feelings are my biggest obstacle
Kept calm by his own self confidence
I try to maintain a sense of stability and confidence in the face of my struggles
Chained up in the cuffs of his own thoughts
I feel trapped by my own thought patterns and struggles
Opportunity rung I hung myself by the phone cord
I am sometimes my own worst enemy, sabotaging opportunities for change
Keep longin' for more than we hope for
We often yearn for things that we cannot realistically attain
Livin' the paradise thinkin bout jumpin the gold wall
Even when things seem good, we often long for even better
Sit and think in my wrinkled jumpsuit
I am constantly reflecting on my situation, even in moments of rest
About my life from the outside as a young dude
I often think about my past self and the opportunities that have passed me by
I take a blunt spoon out of the lunch room
I must make do with the limited resources available to me in my situation
And try to dig a whole to the old I once knew
I struggle to connect with the person I used to be and the life I used to live
I'm doin' time, time, time
I feel trapped in this situation with no way out
Contributed by Natalie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.