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Cut Into Me
Krum Bums Lyrics
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They say its up to you
They say a bunch of shit
When its hell they put you through
Death on TV, death on the streets
Its death you've got to pray for
If you want any peace
They cut into me,
They cut into you,
They throw it away
(Nothing you can do)
They cut into me
Oh, Ritalin's the heroin of bratty little kids
The bums on the street want more than you can give
So dance on broken glass
And drink straight from the fire
Forget what you know
Oh, shoot what gets you higher
[Chorus]
I get up and I see all the ugly things in this world
Don't think I can take it
Look at your TV, it's controlled reality
All this fucking shit, It cuts into me
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Krum Bums’ song “Cut Into Me” are a commentary on the state of the world, particularly with regard to violence, addiction, and the power structures that perpetuate them. The opening lines suggest that people in positions of authority offer empty platitudes (“they say a bunch of shit”) while individuals are left to face the harsh realities of life alone. The violence that surrounds us is compared to a kind of death that we are told to pray for if we want any peace. This suggests a pervading sense of hopelessness and despair, as though the only way we can overcome the violence in our world is to simply accept it as an inevitable part of life.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the sense of powerlessness felt by individuals in the face of this violence. The repeated line “they cut into me” suggests that no matter how hard we try to resist or protect ourselves, we are still fundamentally vulnerable to the forces that seek to harm us. This sense of vulnerability is reinforced by the final line of the chorus, “nothing you can do,” which emphasizes the idea that we are powerless to affect positive change. The second verse of the song focuses on addiction, particularly among young people. Ritalin is characterized as the “heroin of bratty little kids,” suggesting that the medical industry may be complicit in creating a culture of addiction. The bums on the street who want “more than you can give” may represent those who have been marginalized by society and have turned to drugs as a way of coping. The final lines of the verse suggest a nihilistic attitude towards life: rather than seeking to improve their circumstances, individuals should simply “dance on broken glass” and “drink straight from the fire,” seeking oblivion rather than redemption.
Overall, “Cut Into Me” is a bleak commentary on the state of the world, emphasizing the ways in which violence and addiction have become entrenched. The lyrics suggest a sense of powerlessness and despair, as though there is little hope of overcoming these problems. The song’s emphasis on vulnerability emphasizes the idea that we are all exposed to harm, regardless of our attempts to protect ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
They say its up to me
People will say it's your responsibility to take action.
They say its up to you
Others may imply that the problem can only be solved by you.
They say a bunch of shit
Many times people are just spouting words with no real meaning behind them.
When its hell they put you through
Even when it's no fault of your own, you may find yourself in difficult situations.
Death on TV, death on the streets
There are many instances of violence and senseless killings that are reported on the news.
Its death you've got to pray for
For some, peace only comes in the afterlife, so they pray for death to escape their struggles.
If you want any peace
Finding inner peace and calm can be a challenge in a world filled with chaos.
They cut into me,
People's actions or words can cause deep emotional pain or trauma.
They cut into you,
Others may actively or passively harm you as well.
They throw it away
People may discard you, your feelings, or your opinions without any regard.
(Nothing you can do)
When someone disregards or mistreats you, it can feel like you're powerless to stop it.
Oh, Ritalin's the heroin of bratty little kids
The use of Ritalin has grown and is often prescribed to children with ADHD despite potential side effects and the stigma attached to taking medication.
The bums on the street want more than you can give
The homeless population often requires more support and assistance than some individuals can provide or are comfortable with offering.
So dance on broken glass
People may take unnecessary or dangerous risks even though they know it may lead to harm.
And drink straight from the fire
People sometimes indulge in behaviors that they know will cause them pain or even self-destructive tendencies.
Forget what you know
Individuals may try to forget their reality and dull their pain by turning to external forces, like drugs or alcohol.
Oh, shoot what gets you higher
People may risk their health and well-being by ingesting dangerous substances to reach a higher state of euphoria or to escape their reality.
I get up and I see all the ugly things in this world
It can be difficult to ignore the negativity in the world and find any positivity to cling to.
Don't think I can take it
The world's ugliness and senseless violence can be overwhelming and cause feelings of helplessness.
Look at your TV, it's controlled reality
The media often shapes our perception of reality and influences our beliefs and values.
All this fucking shit, It cuts into me
The countless negative events happening around the world can cause emotional distress and pain.
Contributed by Kylie L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.