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Hostage
Queensryche Lyrics
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In the cold grasp of justice,
As she turns away, she turns away.
Blind is she supposed to be but,
Someone took a razor to her mask.
Rusted now the scales you hold,
The balance tipped by the weight of gold.
When will it ever end?
The judgment man holds my fate,
As I beg forgiveness with the plastic smile of a candidate.
They take for granted that I'm out of my mind and they're wasting their time to care.
So all my reasons are damned before they're heard.
I'm held hostage by their words.
What will lead us to tolerance
If we don't question our prejudice?
Courage is such a lonely word,
Patience, in time these truths will be known.
Please, don't keep looking away.
You see fortunes are on line, reputations at risk, and there's fear in the hearts of all of you that believe that you're right,
And that's your right.
But are you... right?
The judgment man holds my fate,
As I gaze around the room,
Their eyes are like knives, could decapitate.
They take for granted that I'm out of my mind and I'm wasting their time, don't show, don't show me my fate.
(Reasons are damned, can't understand.)
If I fall to pieces they'll know...
(He's out of his mind and he's wasting our time, we know)
As I sense my fate...
(His reasons be damned, can't understand him)
...and now all my reasons are damned before they're heard.
I'm held hostage by their words.
Reasons damned before they're heard.
I'm held hostage by their words.
Reasons damned before they're heard.
I'm a hostage.
I'm a hostage.
I'm a hostage.
Jury:
"Guilty, guilty, guilty!."
Judge:
"Order, order.
We will have order in the court."
Queensryche's song "Hostage" is a powerful statement on the concept of justice and prejudice. The lyrics describe a person who feels like a hostage to the words and actions of those around them. The idea of being a "culture hostage" implies that society at large is holding this person prisoner, a victim of some injustice or bias. The person is "writhing" in this cold grasp, unable to escape the hold of "justice." But they question whether justice truly exists when someone has "taken a razor to [its] mask." In other words, the mask of impartiality and objectivity has been stripped away, revealing a hidden bias or corruption.
The lyrics go on to describe the judgment of this person, who is painted as a victim of their circumstances. They beg for forgiveness but are met with the "plastic smile of a candidate," implying that whatever they do will never be enough to gain true forgiveness or freedom. The song suggests that this person is not the only one in this position, that many people are held captive by the words and opinions of those around them. However, Queensryche also suggests that there is hope for change. They ask, "What will lead us to tolerance / If we don't question our prejudice?" suggesting that true justice and freedom can only be achieved when we confront our own biases and work to overcome them.
Line by Line Meaning
Culture hostage, I'm writhing
I feel trapped and constrained by societal expectations and norms.
In the cold grasp of justice,
I feel like the justice system is punishing me harshly and without compassion.
As she turns away, she turns away.
The justice system is not looking out for my well-being, and is instead turning a blind eye to my struggles.
Blind is she supposed to be but,
Justice is supposed to be impartial and unbiased.
Someone took a razor to her mask.
The justice system has been corrupted by outside forces.
Rusted now the scales you hold,
The balance of justice is no longer functioning properly.
The balance tipped by the weight of gold.
Money and power are influencing the outcome of legal proceedings.
When will it end?
I am tired of feeling like a victim of the justice system and want things to change.
When will it ever end?
I am feeling hopeless and defeated in my battle against an unjust system.
The judgment man holds my fate,
My future is in the hands of the judge.
As I beg forgiveness with the plastic smile of a candidate.
I am trying to appear remorseful and compliant, even if I don't truly feel that way.
They take for granted that I'm out of my mind and they're wasting their time to care.
The court does not take my mental health or well-being seriously, and instead views me as a burden.
So all my reasons are damned before they're heard.
I feel like my side of the story is not being properly considered or taken into account.
I'm held hostage by their words.
The court's decisions and actions are severely restricting my life and freedom.
What will lead us to tolerance
We need to examine our prejudices and biases if we want to cultivate greater understanding and acceptance in society.
If we don't question our prejudice?
If we don't critically examine the beliefs and biases we hold, we will never be able to overcome them.
Courage is such a lonely word,
Standing up against an unjust system can be a lonely and isolating experience.
Patience, in time these truths will be known.
It may take a while, but eventually the corrupt forces at work will be exposed and justice will prevail.
Please, don't keep looking away.
We need to face the harsh realities of the world if we want to bring about meaningful change.
You see fortunes are on line, reputations at risk, and there's fear in the hearts of all of you that believe that you're right,
There is much at stake when it comes to court proceedings, as people's lives and livelihoods depend on the outcome.
And that's your right.
Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and perspectives.
But are you... right?
It's important to question whether our beliefs and actions are truly just and ethical.
Guilty, guilty, guilty!.
The court finds me guilty.
Order, order.
The judge is trying to restore calm and civility in the courtroom.
We will have order in the court.
The judge is asserting their authority and reminding everyone to behave properly.
As I gaze around the room,
I am taking in my surroundings and feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
Their eyes are like knives, could decapitate.
The people in the courtroom are judging and scrutinizing me harshly.
Don't show, don't show me my fate.
I am terrified of what the outcome of the proceedings will be.
If I fall to pieces they'll know...
I am afraid of losing control and showing weakness in front of the court.
(He's out of his mind and he's wasting our time, we know)
The court thinks I am unstable and a waste of their time.
(Reasons are damned, can't understand.)
The court is not interested in hearing my side of the story or considering my reasons for my actions.
As I sense my fate...
I am starting to feel resigned to whatever the outcome of the trial will be.
...and now all my reasons are damned before they're heard.
I feel like the court has made up its mind about me and is not interested in anything I have to say.
I'm held hostage by their words.
The court's decisions and actions are drastically limiting my freedom and agency.
Reasons damned before they're heard.
My side of the story is not being taken into account or given any weight by the court.
I'm a hostage.
I am a prisoner of the court and the justice system.
Contributed by Gianna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.