Killing Time
P.E. Lyrics


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Baby, I am a survivor
Baby, I'm on fire
Baby, about to creep up beside ya
Getting high all day, drinking whiskey all night
Flipping of the police when them tricks pass by
I'm that fool next door, always late with his rent
I'm that loser on the couch, watching Springer, getting head
Dreaming about a better time, better place, better life
Looking for that quick fix, and tweakin all night

Just killing time

Kiss that world goodbye
Its all over now
Nothing is over now

God knows I try
But no one understands me
The black sheep of the family
My enemies - they try to over take me
Burning and looting till Babylon break me
Look me in the eyes baby, ride with me
I can take it there baby, ride with me
I know what you want, where you live, what you need
I can make it real, hold it down, feel you bleed

Just killing time

I keep my eyes on the stars
That's where I come from
Belt of Orion
Son of the Sun God
You know my name, I'm a Conqueror
The Lion
King, Ka Maya Maya come
Twenty Twelve, come twelve tribes, come twelve strengths, come twelve lives
Twelve steps, twelve months, twelve motherfuckers
All make bail, kicked cause of crowded jails
Sex and violence sells
Twelve serial killers, twelve dead without a trail or a trace




It's prime time, the fight night, pay per view, suicide, the bee sting
butterfly

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Public Enemy’s song Killing Time paints a vivid picture of a person who is struggling in life. The opening lyrics suggest that the individual is surviving and is experiencing the highs and lows of life. The lyrics are also suggestive that the person is abusing drugs, alcohol and has little regard for the law. This is evident in the lines “Getting high all day, drinking whiskey all night, flipping of the police when them tricks pass by”. The lyrics also suggest that the person is longing for a better life and is stuck in the present, just killing time. The words “Dreaming about a better time, better place, better life, Looking for that quick fix and tweakin all night” are very poignant.


The song also touches on the individual’s relationship with society and their family. The lyrics suggest that the person is misunderstood by others and is seen as the black sheep of the family. The lines “God knows I try, But no one understands me, The black sheep of the family” further reinforce this idea. The song also contains a degree of violence, with the lyrics “Burning and looting till Babylon break me…” portraying a character that is on the edge and capable of taking extreme actions.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, I am a survivor
I have overcome many difficult situations and am still standing


Baby, I'm on fire
I am filled with intense passion and energy


Baby, about to creep up beside ya
I am approaching you stealthily and unexpectedly


Getting high all day, drinking whiskey all night
I am engaging in excessive and potentially harmful substance use


Flipping of the police when them tricks pass by
I am actively rebelling against law enforcement and disrespecting them


I'm that fool next door, always late with his rent
I am irresponsible and unreliable when it comes to paying my bills


I'm that loser on the couch, watching Springer, getting head
I am lethargic and passive while engaging in vulgar and potentially exploitative behavior


Dreaming about a better time, better place, better life
I am yearning for a future that is more promising and fulfilling than my current situation


Looking for that quick fix, and tweakin all night
I am searching for a temporary solution to my problems and becoming progressively more agitated


Just killing time
I am wasting my life without purpose or direction


Kiss that world goodbye
I am leaving behind the world and past that have brought me so much pain and disappointment


Its all over now
There is no going back and no second chances


Nothing is over now
The future is wide open and full of possibilities


God knows I try
I am doing my best to improve my situation even though it may seem hopeless


But no one understands me
I feel isolated and misunderstood by those around me


The black sheep of the family
I am the outcast in my family and do not fit in with their expectations or standards


My enemies - they try to overtake me
There are people who actively oppose and seek to harm me


Burning and looting till Babylon break me
I am willing to engage in destructive behavior until my opponents are defeated or until I am destroyed


Look me in the eyes baby, ride with me
I am looking for someone to share my journey with and to face the challenges of life together


I can take it there baby, ride with me
I am confident in my ability to lead and to navigate the difficulties ahead


I know what you want, where you live, what you need
I am perceptive and aware of your desires, location, and necessities


I can make it real, hold it down, feel you bleed
I am promising to make your wishes come true, to be stable and dependable, and to empathize with your pain


I keep my eyes on the stars
I am focused on the future and the potential for greatness


That's where I come from
My origins are rooted in a place of vast possibilities and endless potential


Belt of Orion
I am referencing a constellation of stars that symbolizes strength and masculinity


Son of the Sun God
I am identifying as a divine and powerful figure


You know my name, I'm a Conqueror
I am introducing myself as a victorious and dominating force


The Lion
I am likening myself to the king of beasts, who is strong, fearless, and respected


King, Ka Maya Maya come
I am proclaiming myself as king and using an African language to suggest authority and ancient wisdom


Twenty Twelve, come twelve tribes, come twelve strengths, come twelve lives
I am referencing the year 2012, which was associated with apocalyptic prophecies, and using the number 12 to indicate completeness and power


Twelve steps, twelve months, twelve motherfuckers
I am using the number 12 in a vulgar way to suggest that I am in control and that others are beholden to me


All make bail, kicked cause of crowded jails
I am referencing the injustice and inequality of the criminal justice system, where wealthy individuals can post bail and avoid prison while poor people are more likely to be incarcerated


Sex and violence sells
I am commenting on the popularity of media that features explicit and aggressive content


Twelve serial killers, twelve dead without a trail or a trace
I am referencing the gruesome and unsolved murders of 12 victims


It's prime time, the fight night, pay per view, suicide, the bee sting
I am using various metaphors to suggest that life is a spectacle that can be both exhilarating and deadly


Butterfly
I am ending the song abruptly and enigmatically, leaving the listener to interpret the meaning of this random word




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BEN VAUGHT, CHAD BENEKOS, DOUG BOYCE, JERRAD SHAIN, MARK YOUNG, WES GEER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@guitarplayerslayer1

Baby, I am a survivor 
Baby, I'm on fire
Baby, I'm bout to creep up inside ya
Getting high all day, drinking whiskey all night
Flipping of the police when them tricks pass by
I'm that fool next door, always late with his rent
I'm that loser on the couch, watching Springer and getting head
Dreaming about a better time, better place, better life
Looking for that quick fix, and tweeking all night

Just killing time
Kiss that world goodbye 
Its all over now
Nothing is over now

God knows I tried 
But no one understands me
The black sheep of the family 
My enemies - they try to over take me 
Burning and looting till Babylon break me
Look me in the eyes baby, ride with me
I can take it there, ride with me
I know what you want, where you live, what you need
I can make it real, hold it down for you, feel you bleed

Just killing time
Kiss that world goodbye 
Its all over now
Nothing is over now

I keep my eyes on the stars
That's where I come from
Belt of Orion
Son of the Sun God
You know my name, I'm The Conqueror
The Lion 
King, Ka Maya Maya& come
Twenty Twelve, come twelve tribes, come twelve strands, come twelve lives
Twelve steps, twelve months, twelve drug muthafukas
All make bail, kicked cause of the crowded jails
Sex and violence sells
Twelve serial killers, twelve dead without a trail or a trace&
It's prime time, the fight night, pay per view, suicide, the bee sting
Butterfly



@ADF-

I keep my eyes on the stars
That's where I come from
Belt of Orion
Son of the Sun God
You know my name, I'm The Conqueror
The Lion 
King, Ka Maya Maya& come
Twenty Twelve, come twelve tribes, come twelve strands, come twelve lives
Twelve steps, twelve months



@victor_GT500

The Best Lyrics of all time

I keep my eyes on the stars
That's where I come from
Belt of orion
Son of the sun god
You know my name, I'm the conqueror
The lion
King, ka maya maya& come
Twenty twelve, come twelve tribes, come twelve strands, come twelve lives
Twelve steps, twelve months, twelve drug dealers
All make bail, kicked cause of the crowded jails
Sex and violence sells
Twelve serial killers, twelve dead without a trail or a trace&
It's prime time, the fight night, pay per view, suicide, the bee sting
Butterfly !!!!!!!!



All comments from YouTube:

@jennifersmith5029

I met my husband at this show in South Carolina. This is the song that was playing. Thank you God for letting me a part of that man's life even it was just a decade. My love for Eric "Buster" Smith Jr. 12-29-79 to 03-08-2009. RIP

@tiger0manny0tiger

You probably won’t see this but sorry for your loss but happy that you were able to meet your husband and live happily for the time you were given. Stay strong✊🏽

@killingofthemind6309

I saw head pe in San Antonio tattoo the Earth when they were passing out cassette tapes for two songs killing time and bartender and I wore that tape when I got home just cruising around playing nonstop. Shout out to Eric buster Smith Jr!!!!!

@NwoDispatcher

Probably shouldn't have been drinking all night...

@leadme2thebliss21

I saw Hed PE live at Ozzfest 1999 in Columbus, Ohio. Did you meet your husband at Ozzfest 1999?

@nightboiii

did you kill him?

@Blackjacksarmory

This album was perfect from beginning to end.

@crsynth1985

Absolutely, this was early high school for me, still remember all the lyrics after all these years.

@cindysmith2936

I was hooked on this album for a long time and still am after all these years. their shit always reminded me of icp and Korn combined which was shit I banged to as well.

@tonymesser9413

Broke was a great album, for sure.

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