Death or Glory
Rose Tattoo Lyrics


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Now every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the
world
And ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl
Love 'n' hate tattooed across the knuckles of his hands
hands that slap his kids around 'cause they don't understand how

death or glory becomes just another story
death or glory becomes just another story

'N' every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock 'n' roll
Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
But i believe in this-and it's been tested by research
he who fucks nuns will later join the church

death or glory becomes just another story
death or glory becomes just another story

fear in the down sex
they say lie low
you say ok
don't wanna play a show
no other thinking
would you get that boy now
playing the blues of kings
sure looks better now

death or glory just another story
death or glory just another story

From every dingy basement on every dingy street
every dragging handclap over every dragging beat
That's just the beat of time-the beat that must go on
If you've been trying for years we already heard your song

death or glory becomes just another story
death or glory just another story

gotta launch long way
fight a long time
get to travel over mountains
got to travel over seas
we gonna fight your brother
we gonna fight til you loose
we gonna raise trouble
we gonna raise hell
we gonna fight your brother
we gonna raise hell

death or glory becomes just another story
death or glory becomes just another story





death or glory just another story
death or glory becomes just another story

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Rose Tattoo’s song “Death or Glory” depict the struggles of young people who are trying to make it in the world. The singer talks about how every person tries to make a deal with the world, but ends up paying a price for it. The line "Love 'n' hate tattooed across the knuckles of his hands" represents the inner turmoil that people face in their lives.


The song talks about the ambition and hunger of young people who are trying to make it in the music industry. The line "And every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock 'n' roll" describes how artists use their talents to make money and become famous. The line "he who fucks nuns will later join the church" showcases the cynical attitude of the artist towards the music industry, portraying that the ones who claim to be rebels might eventually end up being part of the system.


The song has a sense of urgency and rebellion to it, with the lyrics repeatedly stating "death or glory becomes just another story." The repetition of this line emphasizes how striving for success may end up just being a mediocre story. The song acknowledges the hardships and fears that come with the pursuit of a successful career, but also highlights the determination to fight and raise hell to succeed.


Line by Line Meaning

Now every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world
The poverty-stricken make temporary deals to escape their situation


And ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl
However, these deals lead to long-term debts, be it for furniture or women


Love 'n' hate tattooed across the knuckles of his hands
Their violent tendencies are represented quite literally on their fists


Hands that slap his kids around 'cause they don't understand how
These violent tendencies extend to their own families, as they use violence to compensate for their own shortcomings


Death or glory becomes just another story
The constant cycle of violence and poverty eventually becomes monotonous


'N' every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock 'n' roll
Musicians who adopt a specific persona for financial gain


Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
Claiming that selling out is not an option to them


But i believe in this-and it's been tested by research
However, the reality is that they will compromise their beliefs for money, as proven time and again


he who fucks nuns will later join the church
Even those who take the most extreme positions may eventually conform


Fear in the down sex, they say lie low, you say ok
Fear encourages submission, even though it may be disadvantageous


Don't wanna play a show, no other thinking, would you get that boy now, playing the blues of kings, sure looks better now
Avoiding challenges is more comfortable, but it leaves one unfulfilled


From every dingy basement on every dingy street, every dragging handclap over every dragging beat
Mediocrity is widespread, even in the world of music


That's just the beat of time-the beat that must go on
However, despite the lack of uniqueness, creativity and art continue to evolve


If you've been trying for years we already heard your song
Originality is crucial, as people will eventually grow tired of uninspired work


Gotta launch long way, fight a long time, get to travel over mountains, got to travel over seas
Overcoming obstacles to achieve success takes determination and endurance


We gonna fight your brother, we gonna fight til you loose, we gonna raise trouble, we gonna raise hell
Some may resort to violence to achieve their aspirations


Death or glory just another story
The outcome of one's endeavors may not matter in the long run


Death or glory becomes just another story
The repeated struggles and conflicts of life make the idea of achieving greatness lose its value




Writer(s): Greg Neil Jordan, Gary Stephen Anderson

Contributed by Grayson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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