Hate The Police
Mudhoney Lyrics

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Mommy, mommy, mommy
Look at your son
You might have loved me
But now I got a gun
You better stay out of my way
I think I've had a bad day
I've had a bad day
I've had a bad day

Daddy, daddy, daddy
Proud of your son
Got himself a good job
Killing niggers and mexicans
I'll tell you one thing, it's true
You can't find justice, it'll find you
It'll find you
It'll find you

People tell policemen
They've met their match
Down in them desert sands
Mudhoney won't catch
Mudhoney hates policemen, yes, it's true
You can't find justice, it'll find you
It'll find you
It'll find you
It'll find you

Mommy, mommy
Look at your son
You might have loved me
A gun
You better stay out of my way
I've had a bad day
I've had a bad day
Mommy, I've had a bad day

Mommy, I've had a bad day
Mommy

Overall Meaning

The song 'Hate The Police' by Mudhoney is a powerful commentary on police brutality and racial injustices. The first verse highlights the desperation and anger of a person who has been pushed to the brink, holding a gun with seemingly nothing left to lose. The repetitive use of "mommy" highlights the fact that this person was once a child who may have had a chance at a different future, but now feels compelled to take violent actions. The line "You might have loved me, but now I got a gun" is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the cycle of violence and the ways in which disenfranchisement and systemic oppression can lead to hopeless outcomes.

The second verse is a scathing indictment of the ways in which racism and bigotry are perpetuated and even celebrated in America. The singer's father is described as being "proud" of his son's job killing people of color, and the line "You can't find justice, it'll find you" takes on a menacing tone in this context. The third verse takes on a different perspective, as the singer addresses the police themselves. The line "People tell policemen they've met their match" suggests that the police are finally being held accountable by the public for their violent actions, but the line "Mudhoney won't catch" suggests that perhaps justice will never truly be served.

Overall, the song is a powerful and angry critique of police violence and the ways in which it is perpetuated by societal systems and structures. It is a call to action for justice and change, and a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and fairness in America.

Line by Line Meaning

Mommy, mommy, mommy
Addressing mother with heightened emotionality

Look at your son
Drawing attention to their self through contrast

You might have loved me
Acknowledging the possibility of past love

But now I got a gun
Introducing a violent element

You better stay out of my way
Issuing a threat

I think I've had a bad day
Attributing violence to personal turmoil

I've had a bad day
Repeating the line for emphasis

Daddy, daddy, daddy
Addressing father with heightened emotionality

Proud of your son
Acknowledging parental pride

Got himself a good job
Boasting of employment

Killing niggers and mexicans
Revealing occupation as violent and racist