Refused's lyrics focus mostly on revolutionary politics, drawing on Marxism and anarchism. Formed from the ashes of Step Forward, by the time of their first album the band already had a strong anti-establishment profile. Members were all vegan straight edge until their last show in 1998. After the initial breakup, Lyxzén formed other bands such as the (International) Noise Conspiracy, AC4, and INVSN.
Current members
Dennis Lyxzén — vocals (1991-present)
David Sandström — drums (1991–present)
Kristofer Steen — guitars (1994–present)
Magnus Flagge — bass (1992–present)
Mattias Bärjed — guitar (2019–present)
Former members
Jon Brännström — guitars (1994–2014)
Jonas Lidgren — bass (1991-1992)
Pär Hansson — guitars (1991–1994)
Henrik Jansson — guitars (1992–1995)
Magnus Höggren — bass (1995–1997)
Ulf Nybérg — bass (1997–1998)
Discography:
1994 - This Just Might Be... the Truth
1996 - Songs to Fan the Flames
1998 - The Shape of Punk to Come
2015 - Freedom
2019 - War Music
www.officialrefused.com
Bullet
Refused Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ride, johnny ride
Kennedy's shattered head hits concrete
Ride, johnny ride
Johnny's wife is floundering
Johnny's wife is scared
Run, jackie run
Texas is an outrage when your husband is dead
Texas is an outrage when they pick up his head
Texas is the reason that the president's dead
You gotta suck, suck, jackie suck
President's bullet-ridden body in the street
Ride, johnny ride
Kennedy's shattered head hits concrete
Ride, johnny ride
Texas is an outrage when your husband is dead
Texas is an outrage when they pick up his head
Texas is the reason that the president's dead
You gotta suck, suck, jackie suck
Arise jackie o, jonathon of kennedy
Well, arise and be shot down
The dirt's gonna be your dessert
My cum be your life source
And the only way to get it
Is to suck or fuck
Or be poor and devoid
And masturbate me, masturbate me
Then slurp it from your palm
Like a dry desert soaking up rain
Soaking up sun
Like a dry desert soaking up rain
Soaking up sun
The lyrics to Refused's "Bullet" are a scathing critique of American politics and society in the wake of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The song begins with a graphic description of the President's body lying in the street after being shot, followed by the repeated call to "ride, Johnny ride" - a reference to the President's motorcade. The chorus then makes a statement about the state of Texas, suggesting that it is responsible for the President's death and calling for Jackie Kennedy to "suck, suck, Jackie suck."
The second verse returns to the theme of Texas being an outrage, but this time focuses on the barbarity of the act of picking up the President's head. The chorus repeats, with the line about Jackie sucking once again emphasizing the depravity of the situation. The bridge takes a surreal turn, with lines like "the dirt's gonna be your dessert" and "my cum be your life source" suggesting a hyper-masculine, violent sexuality that is part of the same toxic culture that led to the assassination.
Taken together, the lyrics to "Bullet" paint a picture of a society in which violence and sexuality are inextricably linked, and in which the powerful are willing to use both to maintain their grip on power. The song is a searing indictment of a system that creates such conditions, and an urgent call for change.
Line by Line Meaning
President's bullet-ridden body in the street
The President, who was murdered, lay lifeless in the streets with bullet holes.
Ride, johnny ride
Leave the scene quickly, John, else you too may face grave consequences.
Kennedy's shattered head hits concrete
The head of the assassinated President, John F. Kennedy, struck the road and shattered.
Johnny's wife is floundering
The wife of the late President is in a bewildered state, struggling to cope with the loss.
Johnny's wife is scared
The wife of the assassinated President is terrified.
Run, jackie run
Take refuge as quickly as possible and avert any likely danger, Jackie.
Texas is an outrage when your husband is dead
The state of Texas is a cause of great indignation when your spouse is no more.
Texas is an outrage when they pick up his head
Texas is responsible for the gruesome act of picking up the remains of the President's head.
Texas is the reason that the president's dead
The President's death can be blamed on the state of Texas.
You gotta suck, suck, jackie suck
You must fellate your way to garner power and success, regardless of how vulnerable and weak it may make you feel.
Arise jackie o, jonathon of kennedy
Wake up, Jackie O. You hold the same rank as John, who was slain.
Well, arise and be shot down
Stand up and face the inevitable fate of getting assassinated.
The dirt's gonna be your dessert
Your corpse will be left for scavengers as you will receive a burial that is not worthy of your status.
My cum be your life source
The semen of the singer will be the life force of Jackie.
And the only way to get it
The sole means of acquiring the life force is by indulging in sexual activities.
Is to suck or fuck
Felatio or sexual intercourse is compulsory.
Or be poor and devoid
The only other option is to live poor and devoid of power.
And masturbate me, masturbate me
Masturbate the singer to ensure that he orgasms.
Then slurp it from your palm
The singer's semen should be immediately consumed by Jackie.
Like a dry desert soaking up rain
Jackie will gleefully accept the semen like a barren desert that craves rain.
Soaking up sun
She will bask in a moment of pleasure, feeling empowered and thirst for more.
Like a dry desert soaking up rain
Once again, Jackie will slurp up the semen, thirsty for more.
Soaking up sun
With an insatiable thirst for power, Jackie will indulge in this lewd act repeatedly.
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.