breaking the law
Motörhead Lyrics
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All inside it's so frustrating as I drift from town to town
Feel as though nobody cares if I live or die
So I might as well begin to put some action in my life
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
So much for the golden future, I can't even start
I've had every promise broken, there's anger in my heart
You don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue
If you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
You don't know what it's like
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
The lyrics of Motorhead's "Breaking the Law" depict the frustrations, anger and desperation of someone who is out of work, feels trapped, and nobody seems to care. The singer feels like he has been let down by society and all the promises of a golden future have been broken. He is left with a sense of apathy and decides to start breaking the law as a way of putting some action in his life.
The repetition of the chorus "Breaking the law" is a way of expressing his defiance against the society that has let him down. The use of the word "law" suggests that he is not just breaking any rule or regulation, but the fundamental principles that underpin society. In a way, the song can be interpreted as a call to arms against an unjust system that has failed to deliver on its promises.
The line "You don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue, if you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too" is a direct address to the listener, implying that they have no idea what it's like to be in his situation. The singer is trying to appeal to the empathy of the listener and justify his actions as a result of the oppressive society that he lives in.
Line by Line Meaning
There I was completely wasting, out of work and down
I was feeling unmotivated and hopeless because I was unemployed and had nothing to do.
All inside it's so frustrating as I drift from town to town
I feel annoyed because I keep moving from one place to another with no purpose.
Feel as though nobody cares if I live or die
I feel like nobody values my existence and it wouldn't make a difference if I died.
So I might as well begin to put some action in my life
Since I feel hopeless and unimportant, I might as well do something to bring excitement to my life.
Breaking the law, breaking the law
I am committing a crime, breaking the established rules and norms of society.
So much for the golden future, I can't even start
My future isn't looking bright at all, and I don't even know where to begin to make it better.
I've had every promise broken, there's anger in my heart
I've been lied to so many times that it makes me angry and resentful.
You don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue
You have no idea what it's like to be in my shoes, so don't try to judge me.
If you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too
If you were in my situation, you would probably end up committing a crime as well.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glenn Raymond Tipton, Kenneth Downing, Robert Halford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind