List of Demands
Saul Williams Lyrics

I want my money back
I'm not satisfied with what you've given me and demand something in return.

I'm down here drowning in your fat
You're suffocating me with your excessive power and influence.

You got me on my knees
You have reduced me to a position of weakness and submission.

Praying for everything you lack
I'm hoping for what you cannot provide or refuse to give me.

I ain't afraid of you
Your intimidation tactics won't work on me.

I'm just a victim of your fears
Your insecurities and anxieties are causing you to harm me.

You cower in your tower
You hide in your privileged, isolated position of power.

Praying that I'll disappear
You hope that I'll go away, stop fighting back, and let you have all the control.

I got another plan
I have a strategy to overcome you and your oppressive system.

One that requires me to stand
I will not accept being pushed down anymore and will instead rise up.

On the stage or in the street
I will express myself and fight for my rights in any space available.

Don't need no microphone or beat
I don't need any additional tools or enhancements to make my voice heard.

And when you hear this song
This is my message to you, the oppressor.

If you ain't dead sing along
If you have any empathy or humanity left, you'll acknowledge my struggles and join me in my fight.

Bang and strum to these here drums
Feel the beat of the revolution and be moved to action.

Till you get where you belong
Join me in the fight for justice, equality, and liberation.

I got a list of demands
I have specific and non-negotiable requests for what must happen for me to be free.

Written on the palm of my hands
These demands are always with me and are near and dear to my heart.

I ball my fist, and you're gonna
I'm ready to fight and will attack when necessary.

Know where I stand
You will not be confused about my intentions or my side of the fight.

We living hand to mouth
We are struggling to survive with the very basics, while those in power have everything they need.

You wanna be somebody? See somebody?
Do you want to make a difference and help others less privileged than yourself?

Try and free somebody?
Will you use your power and privilege to help those struggling for liberation?

I wrote a song for you today
This is a message to those in power.

While I was sitting in my room
This is something I've been thinking about and working on for a while.

I jumped up on my bed today
I was filled with inspiration and passion for the revolution.

And played it on the broom
I used whatever I had available to make my message heard.

I didn't think that it would be a song
I didn't know if anyone would listen or care about what I have to say.

That you would hear
This is my message to you, those in power.

But when I played it in my head
I knew this was something that had to be expressed and heard.

I made you reappear
I made you pay attention and acknowledge my message.

I wrote a video for it
I'm using all available mediums to express my message.

And I acted out each part
I put my whole being into this message and performance.

And then I took your picture out
I want to show you the faces and impacts of your oppressive actions.

And taped it to my heart
I won't forget the harm you've caused and the people you've hurt.

I've taped you to my heart, dear girl
I will use your image and your memory to fuel my fight.

I've taped you to my heart
I won't let you forget the harm you've caused and the people you've hurt.

And if you pull away from me
If you refuse to listen and change your ways,

You'll tear my life apart
You'll further hurt and harm people like me, who are fighting for liberation.

Ecstacy, suffering, echinacea, bufferin
All the highs and lows of life, including sickness and healing, must be acknowledged and used for the fight for liberation.

We aim to remember what we choose to forget
We must not forget the atrocities of the past and present, and must use that memory to fight for justice.

God's just a baby and her diaper is wet
Even the most powerful entities have flaws and need to be cared for and nurtured.

Call the police
Those in power will try to use force to silence me and my message.

I'm strapped to the teeth
I'm armed and ready to fight back against oppression and violence.

And liable to disregard
I will not follow or respect those in power when they perpetuate harm and injustice.

Your every belief
Their beliefs must be challenged and dismantled if they harm others.

Call on the law
Those in power will try to use their legal systems to silence me and my message.

I'm fixin' to draw
I'm ready to take action and fight back.

A line between what is and seems
I will expose the truths and realities of oppression and injustice, and reveal the lies and illusions perpetuated by those in power.

And call up a brawl
I'm ready to fight back and resist the oppressive system.

Callin' 'em now
I'm reaching out for support and help in this fight.

'Cause I'm about to go pow
I'm ready to strike and fight back against oppression and injustice.

I'm standing on the threshold
I'm at the edge of this fight, ready to jump into action.

Of the ups and the downs
I'm ready to face the highs and lows of this battle for liberation.

Call up a truce
We need to come to an agreement and work together against oppression and injustice.

Because I'm about to break loose
I'm ready to unleash my full potential and power to fight back against oppression and injustice.

Protect ya neck 'cause son
Be ready to fight and defend yourself against those in power.

I'm breaking out of my noose
I'm breaking free from the chains and bonds of oppression and injustice.

Hand to mouth
We are barely surviving while those in power are thriving.

Hand to mouth
We are all struggling to survive in an unjust and oppressive system.