Rock is dead
Marylin Manson Lyrics


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All simple monkeys with alien babies
Amphetamines for boys
Crucifixes for ladies
Sampled and soulless
Worldwide and real webbed
You sell all the living
For more safer dead
Anything to belong
Anything to belong

Rock - Is deader than dead
Shock - Is all in your head
Your sex and your dope is all that we're fed
So fuck all your protests and
Put them to bed

God is in the TV

Rock! La, la, la, la, la, la
Rock! La, la, la, la, la
Rock! La, la, la, la, la, la
Rock! La, la, la, la, la

One thousand mothers are praying for it
We're so full of hope
And so full of shit
Build a new God
To medicate and to ape
Sell us Ersatz
Dressed up and real fake

Anything to belong
Anything to belong

Rock - Is deader than dead
Shock - Is all in your head
Your sex and your dope is all that we're fed
So fuck all your protests and
Put them to bed

God is in the TV

Rock! La, la, la, la, la, la
Rock! La, la, la, la, la
Rock! La, la, la, la, la, la
Rock! La, la, la, la, la

Rock - Is deader than dead
Shock - Is all in your head
Your sex and your dope is all that we're fed
So fuck all your protests and
Put them to bed

Rock (Rock) - Is deader than dead
Shock (Shock) - Is all in your head
Your sex and your dope is all that we're fed




So fuck all your protests and
Put them to bed

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marilyn Manson's song "Rock is Dead" are a commentary on the commercialization and homogenization of rock music in the late 1990s. Manson criticizes the music industry for selling out to consumerism, using religion and drugs to manipulate the masses, and replacing true creativity with "sampled and soulless" music.


The first verse begins by comparing people to "simple monkeys with alien babies", suggesting that we are easily manipulated by those in power. Amphetamines are mentioned as a drug that is commonly used by boys, while crucifixes are used to manipulate women. Manson is suggesting that religion and drugs are tools used by the music industry to create a false sense of rebellion and identity among consumers.


The chorus repeats the mantra that "Rock is dead", implying that what was once a rebellious and creative genre has been replaced by a formulaic and commercial machine. The lines "Your sex and your dope is all that we're fed / So fuck all your protests and put them to bed" suggest that the music industry is using the promise of sex and drugs to distract people from real issues and protests.


The final verse suggests that people are desperate for a sense of belonging, and that the music industry is exploiting this by selling them a fake sense of rebellion and identity. Manson calls for a "new God" to be created to medicate and manipulate people. The line "God is in the TV" suggests that the media is the new religion, and that people are being brainwashed by what they see on TV.


Overall, "Rock is Dead" is a provocative and cynical commentary on the state of the music industry in the late 1990s, and a call to action for people to think critically and resist being manipulated by those in power.


Line by Line Meaning

All simple monkeys with alien babies
People are portrayed as basic and primitive like monkeys, while simultaneously being influenced by unknown and foreign entities in society.


Amphetamines for boys
Boys are given drugs to enhance their performance and energy.


Crucifixes for ladies
Women are brought up with religious symbols and ideas to uphold traditional values.


Sampled and soulless
Music is no longer organic, but instead created by taking bits and pieces from other songs, resulting in a lack of creativity and meaning.


Worldwide and real webbed
The world is connected through the internet, where people are trapped and unable to escape from the negative influences all around them.


You sell all the living
Living things are commodified, sold and exploited for money.


For more safer dead
Death is idealized as a way to avoid the negative aspects of life.


Anything to belong
People are so desperate for acceptance and a sense of belonging that they are willing to do anything.


Rock - Is deader than dead
Rock music, typically associated with rebellion and nonconformity, has become lifeless and meaningless.


Shock - Is all in your head
The idea of being 'shocked' or surprised is manufactured and artificial, only existing in people's minds.


Your sex and your dope is all that we're fed
People are only interested in sex and drugs, which are the only things being promoted and consumed in society.


So fuck all your protests and
The artist is dismissive of any attempts to protest or fight against the issues in society.


Put them to bed
The protests and issues should be ignored and forgotten, just like putting a child to bed.


God is in the TV
Television has become the new source of worship and meaning in society, replacing traditional religious beliefs.




Contributed by Christian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@LoganFlores

One of the greatest action movies of all time! Also this song is awesome

@talonthehedgehog3274

I know, right? This is one of the greatest songs of this soundtrack, alongside Clubbed to Death. Also, this is kind of an action flick, but it's actually Sci-fi and Thriller.

@Revolution1143

Action movie? Much more than that bro.

@kuddenchristo

Do you guys realize that "Terminator 2" is also a combination of science fiction, thriller and action, and that it's also frequently referred to as one of the best action movies ever?

@darrenfreyauthor

Marilyn Manson doesn't make music like this anymore! This album was so good! It was from a much better time in my life.

@choipichiim

Five seconds in and I'm already loving that riff.

@Knuffelhase93

That is exactly what I thought too ^^

@INeverWanted2010

John 5 is incredibly talented

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@voidedisolation

such a 90's time capsule of groundbreaking sci fi, nu metal and industrial. A better time for music and life

@alejandromaringutierrez7323

One of the best songs of all times!

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