American Society
L7 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't want to drown
Don't want to be found
This is not my destiny
Oh yeah
No twentieth century casualty
Oh yeah

I don't want to watch television
I don't want to listen to the radio
I don't want to drown in American society

Don't want to be rich
Now can't you see the way they dress
They dress
Well they're a bloody tax mess
I don't want to go to the movies




I don't want to listen to the company
Don't want to drown in American society

Overall Meaning

The song American Society by L7 is a politically charged protest against modern American culture. The lyrics are a rejection of conformity and consumerism, declaring that the singer does not want to be a part of what they see as a shallow, materialistic society. The first two lines, "Don't want to drown / Don't want to be found," suggest a desire to escape from conformity and stand out from the crowd. The singer declares that this is not their destiny and that they refuse to be another "twentieth century casualty."


The second verse continues the theme of rejecting mainstream society, with the singer declaring that they do not want to watch TV or listen to the radio, as these mediums are seen as vehicles for brainwashing and mindless entertainment. The repetition of the line "I don't want to drown in American society" serves to emphasize the singer's feelings of suffocation and the desire for freedom from societal pressures.


The third verse takes aim at the trappings of wealth and success in American culture. The singer rejects the flashy dress and perceived hypocrisy of the wealthy, calling them a "tax mess." They also reject the idea of going to the movies or listening to the company, perhaps referring to the expectations of corporate culture and the role of entertainment in society. The song ends with the same refrain, driving home the message that the singer refuses to be a part of a culture that they see as damaging and shallow.


Overall, American Society is a powerful protest song that critiques American culture and consumerism. It speaks to a desire for individualism and freedom from societal expectations, and encourages listeners to think critically about the culture they are a part of.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't want to drown
I don't want to be consumed by the negative aspects of American society


Don't want to be found
I don't want to be lost in the chaos of American society


This is not my destiny
Being stuck in American society is not my ultimate fate


Oh yeah
I'm confident in my beliefs


No twentieth century casualty
I refuse to become another victim of the societal problems that existed in the 20th century


I don't want to watch television
I don't want to be influenced by the propaganda and negativity commonly found on TV


I don't want to listen to the radio
I don't want to be exposed to the biased and shallow content that's typically broadcasted on the radio


I don't want to drown in American society
I don't want to be overwhelmed and overshadowed by the negative aspects of American culture and lifestyle


Don't want to be rich
I don't aspire for excessive wealth and material possessions


Now can't you see the way they dress
The appearance of the rich and famous is often ostentatious and reflects their privilege


They dress
Their clothes are an emblem of their social status


Well they're a bloody tax mess
The rich often exploit loopholes and evade taxes despite their wealth


I don't want to go to the movies
I'm not interested in conforming to mainstream entertainment


I don't want to listen to the company
I don't want to be indoctrinated by corporate interests


Don't want to drown in American society
I don't want to be overwhelmed and overshadowed by the negative aspects of American culture and lifestyle




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: George Beverly Shea, Rhea Miller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Fartley Hawgshlong


on Pretend We're Dead

The L7 song "Scrap" explores themes of identity, rebellion, and self-destruction. The narrator of the song describes a skinhead named Scrap who lives in his friend's garage and spends his days inhaling spray paint fumes. The lyrics suggest that he is searching for something, perhaps a sense of purpose or meaning, but is unable to find it. He meets some Christians from hell and goes on a trip to Las Vegas with them, but ultimately returns to the garage only to find it gone. The song ends with the suggestion that he is now growing his hair and moving on, perhaps to a new phase of his life.

The lyrics use vivid imagery to convey the sense of disorientation and desperation that Scrap feels. The repetition of the line "Grab a paper bag like an oxygen mask / Until your mind starts to gel" suggests that he is constantly seeking some kind of escape or release from his reality. The reference to the "funky dying brain cell" adds a sense of urgency and danger to the situation, emphasizing the potentially harmful effects of his lifestyle.

Overall, "Scrap" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that explores the darker aspects of human nature. It paints a vivid picture of a troubled individual trying to find his way in a confusing and sometimes hostile world.

More Versions