Caught
Public Enemy Lyrics


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Caught, now in court 'cause I stole a beat
This is a sampling sport
But I'm giving it a new name
What you hear is mine
P.E. You know the time
Now, what in the heaven does a jury know about hell
If I took it, but but they just look at me
Like, hey I'm on a mission
I'm talkin' 'bout conditions
Ain't right sittin' like dynamite
Gonna blow you up and it just might
Blow up the bench and
Judge, the courtroom plus I gotta mention
This court is dismissed when I grab the mike
Yo Flav
What is this?

Get hyped, come on we gotta
Gather around, gotcha
Mail from the courts and jail
Claims I stole the beats that I rail
Look at how I'm livin' like
And they're gonna check the mike, right? Sike
Look at how I'm livin' now, lower than low
What a sucker know
I found this mineral that I call a beat
I paid zero
I packed my load 'cause it's better than gold
People don't ask the price, but it's sold
They say that I sample, but they should
Sample this my bit bull
We ain't goin' for this
They say that I stole this
Can I get a witness?

Understand where we're goin'
Then listen to this, plus my Roland
Comin' from way down below
Rebound come on boost up the stereo
Snakes in the morning
Wake up, scared afraid of my warning
They claim that I'm violent
Now I choose to be silent
Can I get a witness?

Come on get wit' it
Something ain't right, I got to admit it
Made me mad when I was on tour
That I declared war on black radio
They say that I planned this
On the radio most of you will demand this
Won't be on a play list
Bust the way that I say this: No Sell Out

You singers are spineless
As you sing your senseless songs to the mindless
Your general subject love is minimal
It's sex for profit
Scream that I sample
For example, Tom you ran to the federal
Court in U.S. It don't mean you
Yeah, 'cause they fronted on you
The posses ready, Terminator X yes he's ready
The S1Ws, Griff are you ready?





They say that I stole this
I rebel with a raised fist, can we get a witness?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Public Enemy’s song “Caught Can We Get A Witness” speak to the issue of sampling in the music industry. Sampling is the practice of taking portions of previously recorded songs or sounds and using them as a basis for new music. The artist in the song is in court because he “stole a beat”, which refers to the use of a sample without permission. The artist suggests that he is giving sampling a new name, an act of innovation and creativity that is not legally acknowledged. He also implies that the court and the jury do not understand the complexities of the music industry, or how sampling can be used to create something new and unique.


Furthermore, the artist’s perceived injustice reaches beyond his own court case, as he speaks on bigger themes of oppression and censorship. He mentions how the conditions are not right and he is essentially sitting on dynamite, which could blow up the courtroom or the judge’s bench. Public Enemy is known for their strong political messaging and the lyrics point to their belief that they are being silenced, along with the voices of those who face similar struggles.


The song also touches upon the issue of censorship within the music industry. The artist mentions “black radio” and how he declared war on it, as it was not playing his music due to its political messaging. He was trying to bring attention to the fact that many artists, especially those of color, are silenced within the music industry and are unable to express themselves freely.


Line by Line Meaning

Caught, now in court 'cause I stole a beat
I am currently in court because I used a sample in my music without permission.


This is a sampling sport
The practice of sampling music is a common method in hip-hop music creation.


But I'm giving it a new name
I have created a new term for sampling in my music production.


What you hear is mine
Although the beat was taken from another song, it is now part of my own distinct creation.


P.E. you know the time
Public Enemy is the name of my band and we are making a statement with our music.


Now, what in the heaven does a jury know about hell
Members of a trial jury are not necessarily knowledgeable enough to make judgments on my creative art form.


If I took it, but but they just look at me
I used a sample in my music but I am being unfairly persecuted for it.


Like, hey I'm on a mission
I am standing up for what I believe in.


I'm talkin' 'bout conditions
I am discussing the state of things such as discrimination and prejudice.


Ain't right sittin' like dynamite
The injustices that we face are explosive and cannot be ignored without consequences.


Gonna blow you up and it just might
If we continue to be oppressed, there will be a backlash.


Blow up the bench and
I defy the court's decision and justice system.


Judge, the courtroom plus I gotta mention
I am calling out the judge and the unfairness of the court system.


This court is dismissed when I grab the mike
I am making a claim that my music is powerful enough to dismiss this court of law.


Yo Flave
Addressing a bandmate to help hype up the situation.


What is this?
Questioning the legal proceedings against my creative expression.


Get hyped, c'mon we gotta
Encouraging our bandmate to get excited and join in the fight.


Gather around, gotcha
I have your attention and am ready to continue the message.


Mail from the courts and jail
I have received a letter from the authorities involving my creative work.


Claims I stole the beats that I rail
The letter accuses me of using unlicensed samples or stolen music in my work.


Look at how I'm livin' like
I am facing financial troubles despite my success and hard work.


And they're gonna check the mike, right? Sike
They will investigate my music and its sample use but they will not censor me.


Look at how I'm livin' now, lower than low
Despite my successful music career, I am living in poverty and being treated unfairly.


What a sucker know
A way of saying 'what does he/she know.'


I found this mineral that I call a beat
Sampling music is like mining a precious mineral and using it to create something new.


I paid zero
I did not pay anything for the sample use.


I packed my load 'cause it's better than gold
I am more proud of my music than any precious metal or currency.


People don't ask the price, but its sold
Despite the controversies around my music, my fans continue to support me and buy my albums.


They say that I sample, but they should
People criticize me for sampling music but they should look at the bigger picture.


Sample this my bit bull
My music is strong and aggressive like a pit bull.


We ain't goin' for this
I refuse to back down or change my music to conform to industry standards.


They say that I stole this
People continue to accuse me of using illegal samples for my music.


Can I get a witness?
Asking for support and validation from fans and the public who understand my plight.


Understand where we're goin'
I am making a statement with my music and it has a greater purpose.


Then listen to this, plus my Roland
Listen to my music and appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into making it.


Comin' from way down below
My music is coming from the underground and unconventional side of the music industry.


Rebound c'mon boost up the stereo
My music will energize and engage listeners to take action.


Snakes in the morning
Dishonest people will do anything to take down what I have built.


Wake up, scared afraid of my warning
People are afraid of my message and the consequences of ignoring the social issues that I am addressing in my music.


They claim that I'm violent
People belittle my music message and refer to me as aggressive or violent.


Now I choose to be silent
I will not react or respond to those who try to silence or censor me.


Can I get a witness?
I am seeking support and validation from public listeners who have the same vision that I do about social justice.


C'mon get wit' it
Encouraging people to join my movement and the change that I am trying to initiate.


Something ain't right, I got to admit it
Acknowledging the injustices within our society.


Made me mad when I was on tour
Experiencing injustice and discrimination while travelling and performing music.


That I declared war on black radio
I am fighting against the music industry and their bias against hip-hop music and black culture in general.


They say that I planned this
People are accusing me of instigating a fight against the music industry and radio stations.


On the radio most of you will demand this
Hip-hop music is growing in popularity and fans will only want more of it despite industry pushback.


Won't be on a play list
Record labels and radio stations refuse to play my music to suppress my message.


Bust the way that I say this: No Sell Out
I will not comply with industry norms and will continue to make music that truly represents me and my views.


You singers are spineless
I am calling out other musicians who do not use their platform for social change or are too afraid to address important issues.


As you sing your senseless songs to the mindless
People make and listen to music that does not have a deep message and fails to address important social issues.


Your general subject love is minimal
Many singers and songwriters focus only on love as a subject and fail to address other social issues.


Its sex for profit
The music industry often exploits sex as a promotional tool to sell music and gain profits.


Scream that I sample
People emphasize and criticize me for sampling musical beats in my music.


For example, Tom you ran to the federal
Tom Petty sued me for using one of his songs in my music and took legal action against me.


Court in U.S. it don't mean you
Even if Tom Petty won the legal case against me, it does not necessarily mean that his music was not used in my work.


Yeah, 'cause they fronted on you
Tom Petty is using this legal case to gain money and publicity from the controversy.


The posses ready, Terminator X yes he's ready
My music collective is ready to fight against the injustices we face and support me in my message.


The S1Ws, Griff are you ready?
My music collective members are united and committed to fighting for justice and social change.


They say that I stole this
People continue to accuse me of stealing music and using it in my work without permission.


I rebel with a raised fist, can we get a witness?
I am standing up against the industry norms with my music to initiate important social change and I am asking for support from anyone willing to listen and join my cause.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Carlton Ridenhour, Eric Sadler, Hank Shocklee

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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