Hard Times
Pointing Finger Lyrics

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You think you're so fucking right
I thought judging people by colour
Was like choosing books by its cover
But I'm not surprised
I wonder when people will realize

We're living in hard times
HARD TIMES

People aren't blind to the only thing that shouldn't mind
SHOULDN'T MIND

These masks of fear shaped in our heads
(the mentality of) "you better have a gun or you'll be dead"
So easy to hate so hard to embrace
(neglecting essence) everybody deserves a chance

We're living in hard times
HARD TIMES
People aren't blind to the only thing that shouldn't mind
SHOULDN'T MIND

We'll speak out, we won't bow down
Fuck your system the time is now
They may set the rules but we play the game
Just refuse to be their pawn
So this picture will fucking stain
What do you have better to show than racial pride
'cause I only see old fears that you try to hide
Do you even know why you hate?
Why don't you get in someone's shoes and face their fate
What if the world refused to turn

Your country at the dark
Where would you run?

Overall Meaning

The song "Hard Times" by Pointing Finger talks about the societal problems that we face and how we must stand up against them. The lyrics bring up the issue of racial prejudice and discrimination, posing the question of why people judge others based on their color, making it similar to judging books by their covers. The singer calls out to those who believe in stereotypes and points out that it is only leading to negative consequences. The chorus talks about living in hard times and how people should not be blinded by these issues but instead find a way to stand up for themselves and others. The masks of fear that the singer talks about represent the suppressed social tensions that people have due to a culture of fear and scaremongering, telling us that we need guns to survive. In reality, everyone should have a fair chance regardless of their background.

The singer concludes by urging people to speak out and resist the dominant system. They refuse to be pawns in a rigged game, calling on others to join them in this rebellion. The last few lines remind listeners to question why they might hate someone and consider the idea of empathizing with others in their shoes. The song has a definitive message of unity, especially in the face of adversity. This song's powerful lyrics can inspire people to fight against inequality at all levels.

Line by Line Meaning

You think you're so fucking right
The singer is addressing someone who is acting superior or judgmental towards others.

I thought judging people by colour
The singer once held the belief that making assumptions about people based on their appearance was similar to selecting a book based on its cover.

Was like choosing books by its cover
The singer is making a comparison between judging people by their skin color and selecting a book without knowing anything about its content.

But I'm not surprised
The singer is not surprised by people's judgmental behavior.

I wonder when people will realize
The singer is expressing frustration that people continue to make assumptions about others based on their race or appearance.

We're living in hard times
The singer believes that the current state of the world is difficult for everyone.

HARD TIMES
The singer is emphasizing the difficult state of the world.

People aren't blind to the only thing that shouldn't mind
People are aware of the one thing that shouldn't matter when it comes to judging others: their appearance.

SHOULDN'T MIND
The singer is emphasizing that a person's appearance should not be a factor in how they are treated by others.

These masks of fear shaped in our heads
The singer is describing the mentality of fear that has been instilled in people's minds.

(the mentality of) "you better have a gun or you'll be dead"
The singer is referring to the pressure to arm oneself in order to feel safe.

So easy to hate so hard to embrace
It is easier to hate someone than it is to accept and embrace them for who they are.

(neglecting essence) everybody deserves a chance
People should be judged based on who they are, not what they look like.

We'll speak out, we won't bow down
The singer and others like them will continue to speak up against oppression, refusing to comply with the status quo.

Fuck your system the time is now
The singer is rejecting societal norms and calling for change in the current system.

They may set the rules but we play the game
Although the rules may be out of their control, the singer and others like them will still participate in the world and strive to make a change.

Just refuse to be their pawn
The singer is encouraging others to resist being controlled by those in power.

So this picture will fucking stain
The consequences of continuing to judge and discriminate against others will have lasting negative effects.

What do you have better to show than racial pride
The singer is questioning what good comes from being proud of one's race to the point of discriminating against others.

'cause I only see old fears that you try to hide
The singer believes that people's prejudices are rooted in outdated and irrational fears that they try to conceal.

Do you even know why you hate?
The singer is questioning whether those who discriminate against others have a logical reason for doing so.

Why don't you get in someone's shoes and face their fate
The singer is suggesting that if people understood the experiences of those they discriminate against, they would be more empathetic.

What if the world refused to turn
The singer is posing a hypothetical scenario in which the world stops functioning normally.

Your country at the dark
The singer is imagining a world where one's country is plunged into chaos and darkness.

Where would you run?
The singer is questioning what people would do if this hypothetical scenario were to become a reality.

Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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