Citizen
Sir Sly Lyrics


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Well, on the 5
I see a sign
"You need Jesus"
"You need Jesus"
Then I sigh, as my insides start the screaming
Start the screaming, uh
Oh, Holy Spirit, can you hear us?
I feel lifted
I feel fearless

I don't wanna be your perfect citizen
Dive out the car, it's headed in the wrong direction
I don't wanna be a good boy and keep my mouth shut
Keeping quiet for fear instead of opening up

Good luck on love
Good luck on love
Good luck on love
Good luck on love
Love, love

Little red hat
Signal white pride
What you thinking?
What you thinking?
White lie
Sign of the times
What's the dream that you've been dreaming?
You will never make anything great again
And you're not my friend
Can I get an amen?

Good luck on love
Good luck on love
Good luck on love
Love, love





Oh, shit
It's headed in the wrong direction

Overall Meaning

The song “Citizen” by Sir Sly Gary Clark Jr. explores themes of societal and political tensions in America. The first verse begins with the singer seeing a sign that says, “You need Jesus” and feeling the internal turmoil and screaming within themselves. The singer then calls out to the Holy Spirit and feels lifted and fearless. This can be interpreted as a plea for guidance and strength during a time of confusion and uncertainty.


The chorus, “I don’t wanna be your perfect citizen,” conveys the singer's refusal to conform to societal expectations and a desire to challenge the status quo. They do not want to remain silent and complicit in the injustices and problems that they see. This message is reinforced in the second verse, where the singer experiences and comments on the distressing themes of white supremacy and “making America great again.” The singer feels disillusioned and confronts the idea that these beliefs are an important part of a dream that some hold dear.


Overall, “Citizen” can be interpreted as a call to action against the inequalities and injustices in society. It encourages listeners to resist complacency and join in the fight for meaningful change.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, on the 5
The singer is driving on Highway 5.


I see a sign
The singer sees a sign while driving.


"You need Jesus"
The sign reads 'You need Jesus.'


"You need Jesus"
The sign reads 'You need Jesus.'


Then I sigh, as my insides start the screaming
The artist groans in response to the sign and starts feeling anxious.


Start the screaming, uh
The singer's anxiety increases.


Oh, Holy Spirit, can you hear us?
The singer prays to God in a moment of anxiety.


I feel lifted
The artist feels relieved and positive after praying.


I feel fearless
The artist feels confident and unafraid after praying.


I don't wanna be your perfect citizen
The artist does not want to conform to society's expectations of a 'perfect' citizen.


Dive out the car, it's headed in the wrong direction
The singer wants to leave the car, which is leading them in the wrong direction emotionally or spiritually.


I don't wanna be a good boy and keep my mouth shut
The artist wants to speak up and be honest, rather than suppressing their thoughts and feelings.


Keeping quiet for fear instead of opening up
The singer is hesitant to speak their mind for fear of being judged or rejected.


Good luck on love
The singer wishes someone luck in finding love.


Good luck on love
The singer wishes someone luck in finding love.


Good luck on love
The artist wishes someone luck in finding love.


Good luck on love
The artist wishes someone luck in finding love.


Little red hat
The singer sees something specific, like a hat, that catches their attention.


Signal white pride
The singer picks up on a symbol of white pride.


What you thinking?
The artist questions what someone else is thinking.


What you thinking?
The artist questions what someone else is thinking.


White lie
The artist hears or sees something that is deceptive.


Sign of the times
The singer is aware of the current social and political climate.


What's the dream that you've been dreaming?
The artist asks someone about their aspirations and goals.


You will never make anything great again
The singer disagrees with someone who believes they can make something great again.


And you're not my friend
The singer distances themselves from someone who holds differing views.


Can I get an amen?
The singer may be sarcastically asking for agreement or support.


Good luck on love
The artist wishes someone luck in finding love.


Good luck on love
The artist wishes someone luck in finding love.


Good luck on love
The singer wishes someone luck in finding love.


Love, love
The singer expresses a positive sentiment.


Oh, shit
The artist expresses surprise or frustration in response to something.


It's headed in the wrong direction
The artist realizes that they are headed down the wrong path, both literally and figuratively.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hayden John Coplen, Jason Alexander Suwito, Landon Jacob Maslyn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@batoulhajj4514

lyrics:
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh

[Verse 1]
On the five, I see a sign
You need Jesus, you need Jesus
Then I sigh as my insides start their screaming, start their screaming, uh
Holy Spirit, can You hear us?
I feel lifted, I feel fearless
I don't wanna be your perfect citizen
Dive out the car, it's headed in the wrong direction
I don't wanna be a good boy and keep my mouth shut
Keeping quiet for fear instead of opening up

[Chorus]
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Love, love

[Verse 2]
Little red hat, signal white pride
What you're thinking? What you're thinking?
White liе, sign of the times
What's the drеam that you've been dreaming?
You will never make anything great again
And you're not my friend
Can I get an Amen?



All comments from YouTube:

@mannycarbajal4016

Severely underrated....these guys hit emotions to the fullest extent...thanks guys for all your music...highly appreciated...sincerely...all your fans

@noellepierdolla7018

been a rough while but the songs these guys have released have really been a highlight

@hannahp2880

ur famous

@bryantperkins5989

Ain't that a big ol mood

@batoulhajj4514

lyrics:
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh

[Verse 1]
On the five, I see a sign
You need Jesus, you need Jesus
Then I sigh as my insides start their screaming, start their screaming, uh
Holy Spirit, can You hear us?
I feel lifted, I feel fearless
I don't wanna be your perfect citizen
Dive out the car, it's headed in the wrong direction
I don't wanna be a good boy and keep my mouth shut
Keeping quiet for fear instead of opening up

[Chorus]
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Good luck on love (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Love, love

[Verse 2]
Little red hat, signal white pride
What you're thinking? What you're thinking?
White liе, sign of the times
What's the drеam that you've been dreaming?
You will never make anything great again
And you're not my friend
Can I get an Amen?

@kristinlesesne

This is phenomenal. The arrangement alone moves me, and then the lyrics... so fu**ing good. I feel like I can see you all performing this live, and me being moved beyond belief. Cant wait for that feeling again! ❤❤❤

@GCJrFan

Gary Clark Jr ♥️🎶 is a perfect addition to this song! That guitar solo at the end 🎸🔥🔥🔥

@DinoboyLegosandMOCs

1 minute in, and already would love to add this to my playlist on spotify. Amazing job

Edit: the end, with the burning hand on the dirt mound is super cool visually

@ninjamage5215

I never expected a collab like this but Gary Clark Jr is so awesome man, glad you guys pulled it off!

@lucasmath3us

Os últimos singles têm sidos maravilhosos. Quero álbum pra ontem D:

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