So Ya Wanna Be a Cop?
Morning Glory Lyrics


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So you wanna be a cop?
So you wanna be on the top
Arrestin and shootin' all the kids on the block
Incarcerate the youth of the next generation
And you get the high fives at the police station

So you wanna wear blue
And prey on the people
Go above the constitution where all men are equal
Beat down the poor, the working class core
Your a class trading motherfucking rich man's whore

'cuz it's a thin blue line between the love and the hate
If you so choose to cross it you're a nazi for the state
Your injustice will crush us, the precious the few
So you wanna be a killer for the red white and blue

You're a bitch to the crown
Keep your own people down
You've got nothing to protect
But you're keeping the sect
For your own damn brothers you got no respect
And the killing won't stop when you become a cop

The worlds getting madder and it ain't gonna stop
It's an uphill battle all the way until we reach the top
You got an answer in your holster
And no question to kill
You got a vision for society
And it's your will

Even the summer sun can't make this situation light
You've got the upper hand in a war
When you take away our arms and our means to fight

So you wanna be a cop?
You never stop with your wicked guns going pop
After 41 shots your grinning in the donut shop
Your sickening behavior regulates this society
And musters all the sickness & hatred inside of me

So you wanna wear blue?
Well you're just the type
Got an chip on your shoulder and an itch for a gripe
Standing on a raft in an ocean of blood
But you're doin the killing and causing the flood

How can we tolerate this mad abuse of power?
You think a cop is never psycho till he stabs you in the shower
Choking v
Morning g
L.O.C
We never stop
And your death'll be sweet if ya wanna be a cop

They say the sea is green and the sky is blue
And thats about right because we're below you
You cop an extra attitude when you come down my block
So you wanna be a cop?

You're getting crazier and we're going insane
You can't stop the violence by using the same
You hated your father so you joined the force
And that's exactly what it is, you learn how to force

Even the summer sun can't make this situation light




You've got the upper hand in a war
When you take away our arms and our means to fight

Overall Meaning

The song "So Ya Wanna Be a Cop?" by Morning Glory is a scathing commentary on police brutality, the abuse of power, and the oppressive nature of law enforcement as an institution. The lyrics urge those who aspire to become cops to consider the destructive consequences of their actions, and the way in which their role often perpetuates violence, racism, and classism. The sarcasm and irony present in the lyrics highlight the stark contrast between the idealized image of police as protectors and the harsh reality of their behavior towards citizens, particularly those from marginalized communities.


The opening lines of the song set the tone, as the singer questions the motives of those who "wanna be a cop" and warns them of the dangers inherent in that desire. The subsequent lines expand on this theme, describing how police officers often abuse their power by "arresting and shooting all the kids on the block" and "incarcerating the youth of the next generation." The lyrics also call out the classism inherent in policing, as cops are described as "class trading motherfucking rich man's whore[s]" who "beat down the poor, the working class core."


The song then shifts to a more confrontational tone, as the lyrics describe the police as "bitch[es]" who "keep your own people down." The singer admonishes those who join the police force as a way to avenge the wrongs done to them personally, saying that their goal should be to help others and not to wield power over them. The closing line of the song sums up the message:


"And your death'll be sweet if ya wanna be a cop"


In essence, the song is a call to action for those who want to see change in the justice system, urging them to resist the institutionalized violence and oppression of the police.


Line by Line Meaning

So you wanna be a cop?
Are you trying to become a police officer?


So you wanna be on the top
Are you looking to join the upper ranks of law enforcement?


Arrestin and shootin' all the kids on the block
Are you interested in punishing and potentially harming young people in your community?


Incarcerate the youth of the next generation
Do you want to contribute to the imprisonment of future generations?


And you get the high fives at the police station
Do you think praise from coworkers justifies harsh actions?


So you wanna wear blue
Are you drawn to the authority and power that comes with a police uniform?


And prey on the people
Do you plan to use your position to oppress and harm civilians?


Go above the constitution where all men are equal
Do you plan to disregard constitutional protections and treat people unfairly?


Beat down the poor, the working class core
Do you want to target marginalized groups and abuse your power over them?


Your a class trading motherfucking rich man's whore
Are you willing to sell out your integrity for the wealthy and powerful?


'cuz it's a thin blue line between the love and the hate
Do you recognize the fine line separating police accountability and abuse of authority?


If you so choose to cross it you're a nazi for the state
If you abuse your power, you risk becoming a symbol of oppressive authority.


Your injustice will crush us, the precious the few
Your actions will harm and oppress those who lack power and privilege.


So you wanna be a killer for the red white and blue
Are you willing to harm and even kill members of your own community in the name of patriotism?


You're a bitch to the crown
You will obediently serve those in power over you.


Keep your own people down
You will prioritize the interests of powerful groups over those of your own community.


You've got nothing to protect
You will not prioritize the safety and well-being of your community.


But you're keeping the sect
You will prioritize and protect those who hold power.


For your own damn brothers you got no respect
You will not value the lives and rights of those who share your identity or community.


And the killing won't stop when you become a cop
Harmful and lethal actions perpetuated by law enforcement have long-lasting impacts on communities.


The worlds getting madder and it ain't gonna stop
The issues facing society will not be solved easily or quickly.


It's an uphill battle all the way until we reach the top
Progress is difficult to achieve and will require significant effort.


You got an answer in your holster
As an officer, you have significant power to harm or help those around you.


And no question to kill
You may be prepared to use lethal force without full consideration of circumstances.


You got a vision for society
You may have a belief system or ideologies that influence your actions as an officer.


And it's your will
You will prioritize your own beliefs and actions over those of your community or superiors.


Even the summer sun can't make this situation light
The challenges and issues at hand are heavy and cannot be ignored or easily resolved.


You've got the upper hand in a war
The power balance between civilians and law enforcement is heavily skewed towards the latter.


When you take away our arms and our means to fight
Law enforcement's monopoly on power and weapons makes it difficult for citizens to defend themselves.


After 41 shots your grinning in the donut shop
This refers to the 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo by police officers who fired at him 41 times. The line suggests that law enforcement may find humor in brutal actions.


Your sickening behavior regulates this society
The actions of law enforcement have significant impacts on society as a whole.


And musters all the sickness & hatred inside of me
Police brutality can fuel strong negative emotions and thoughts in those who witness it or experience it.


Well you're just the type
This line suggests that the author believes there is a specific personality associated with joining the police force.


Got an chip on your shoulder and an itch for a gripe
The author believes that some individuals joining law enforcement seek out conflict and confrontation.


Standing on a raft in an ocean of blood
The author suggests that law enforcement is heavily responsible for ongoing violence and conflict.


But you're doin the killing and causing the flood
Law enforcement may contribute significantly to the harms faced by marginalized communities.


How can we tolerate this mad abuse of power?
The author questions how society can let police brutality and abuses of power occur.


You think a cop is never psycho till he stabs you in the shower
The author suggests that law enforcement officers may not be fully vetted or evaluated for potential mental health issues prior to joining the force.


We never stop
Activists and those who seek change will continue to fight for justice, even in the face of adversity.


And your death'll be sweet if ya wanna be a cop
The author may be suggesting that joining law enforcement can make one an enemy of those seeking justice.


They say the sea is green and the sky is blue
This line suggests that common beliefs may not reflect reality or truth.


And thats about right because we're below you
The author believes that law enforcement has more power than the general public, placing them in a position of superiority.


You cop an extra attitude when you come down my block
The author believes that law enforcement may treat marginalized communities with hostility and aggression.


You can't stop the violence by using the same
The author argues that excessive force by police cannot effectively reduce or eliminate violence.


You hated your father so you joined the force
The author suggests that some individuals may join law enforcement to work through trauma or emotional issues.


And that's exactly what it is, you learn how to force
The author suggests that law enforcement teaches individuals how to exert power over others.




Contributed by Bentley P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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