Why?
Special the Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you really want to kill me
Tell me why
Tell me why
Tell me why
Why do we have to fight
Why must we fight
I know I am black
You know you are white
I'm proud of my black skin
And you are proud of your white
Why did you try to hurt me
Did you really kill me
Tell me why
Tell me why
Tell me why
We don't need no british movement
Nor the Ku Klux Klan
Nor the national front
Make me a angry man
I just wanna live in peace
Why can't you be the same
Why should I live in fear?
You'll follow like sheep in a wolf's clothes
You too scared to make a speech
Do you really like
Without a thousand police
Protecting your rights
Protecting under your views
Inside the fights
But you will protect me
From you in the night
Why did you try to hurt me
Tell me why
Tell me why
Tell me why
Did you really kill me
Tell me why
Tell me why
Tell me why
You'll follow like sheep in a wolf's clothes
The song 'Why?' by Specials brings forth the issues of racism, discrimination, and violence. It questions the motives behind these cruel actions and tries to uncover the reasons behind them. The opening lines, "Why did you try to hurt me, did you really want to kill me?" highlight the physical harm that racism can cause. The song condemns the British movement, Ku Klux Klan, and national front for inciting racism in society. The line "You'll follow like sheep in a wolf's clothes" implies that people blindly follow these groups without truly identifying the harm they cause.
The song's central message is of accepting diversity and living in harmony. It promotes the idea that we can all live together in peace without hatred, fear, or violence. The lyrics show that skin color, race, or religious beliefs should not be the reason for discrimination, but accepted as part of our identity. Both the black and white communities should take pride in their heritage and culture without feeling inferior. The song implies that differences within us should be celebrated, and not used as a reason for animosity.
Line by Line Meaning
Why did you try to hurt me
I'm asking you why you chose to harm me.
Did you really want to kill me
I'm questioning the severity of your intent towards me.
Tell me why
I'm asking for an explanation or reasoning behind your actions.
Why do we have to fight
I want to know why we can't peacefully coexist without conflict.
Why must we fight
I'm questioning the necessity and logic of fighting.
I have to defend myself from crack last night
I had to protect myself from danger the previous night.
I know I am black
I am aware of my racial identity.
You know you are white
You are aware of your racial identity.
I'm proud of my black skin
I have a sense of pride and self-worth in my racial identity.
And you are proud of your white
You also have a sense of pride and self-worth in your racial identity.
We don't need no british movement
I reject the British Movement and its harmful ideologies.
Nor the Ku Klux Klan
I reject the KKK and its harmful ideologies.
Nor the national front
I reject the National Front and its harmful ideologies.
Make me a angry man
These harmful ideologies incite anger within me.
I just wanna live in peace
All I want is to live without strife or conflict.
Why can't you be the same
I question why others cannot also desire to live in peace.
Why should I live in fear?
I refuse to live in a constant state of fear due to discrimination and violence.
You'll follow like sheep in a wolf's clothes
You blindly follow harmful ideologies disguised as something good.
You too scared to make a speech
You are too afraid to speak out against these harmful ideologies.
Do you really like
I'm questioning whether you truly enjoy or want to participate in these harmful actions.
Without a thousand police
These harmful ideologies need constant policing to prevent violence and hate crimes.
Protecting your rights
Police are protecting your right to free speech and assembly, even when it harms others.
Protecting under your views
Police are also protecting these harmful ideologies under the guise of free speech.
Inside the fights
Police are involved in conflicts and acts of violence stemming from these harmful ideologies.
But you will protect me
Despite these issues with police involvement, I still hope for protection from harm.
From you in the night
I fear harm from those who hold these harmful ideologies, even in the dark of night.
Did you really kill me
I am once again questioning your severe intent towards me.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD, EDWARD FLETCHER, SYLVIA ROBINSON, MELVIN GLOVER, CLIFTON CHASE, SHARI WATSON, MARIE WRIGHT, MARIO WINANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Logan
I never wanted a normal life,
I never wanted a normal job,
I couldn’t stand the thought of a 9-5
Wake up,
Go to work,
Come home,
Go to bed,
Do it all over again,
At the same desk,
In the same office,
In the same town,
For me, I wanted adventure.
I wanted to see the world.
I wanted to be my best self
And constantly strive for perfection
I wanted to surround myself with individuals who felt that same way.
We constantly push each other
Forward
Never backwards
I’ve always thought to myself I never want my kids looking up to someone else.
That’s why.
Lee Burkai
In June of 1968, at Fort Benning jump school, a Green Beret came over to a group of us who had just earned our 'silver wings' and asked us, who among us wanted to be their own boss. Long story short: 10th SFG, 5th SFG and MACV-SOG. Glad to be alive. Once a Special Forces soldier, always a Special Forces soldier. Seventy-three now and keeping my skills sharp. Sneaky Pete...
Lee Burkins, Author of 'Soldier's Heart: An Inquiry of War'
SediciBrah
Thank you for your service sir. I’ll try my best to make myself useful to this amazing country. My worst fear is failing what I tried so hard to accomplish. I really want to be a green beret. I don’t know if I have what it takes yet.
Chad Nordstrom
always forward De Oppresso Liber
🕎Jewbabydono🕎
My dad was 5th group too
Audeamus
@SediciBrah don't have to be SF to serve. Anyone in the forces are serving. Doesn't matter if you are just a grunt, you are still serving.
David Lange
Mac-v sog. You are a warrior. Thank you sir
Mark Anthony
When I decided to start training for selection it was last March. I am putting my packet together as we speak for October. Dreamed of being a Green Beret since I was a kid. Time to make that shit my reality. Great video!
Edit * Thanks for all the support. My packet has been completed and sitting on the SF recruiters desk. Just waiting for fiscal year 22 to open up and I’ll be classed. I wish all of you the best as well in everything you do.
*** Update 6/08/2022 12:45PM ***
I collapsed a couple of weeks prior to report date. Not a heat injury but apparently I have holes in my heart and an enlarged atrium. Long story short, I’m being medboarded and currently waiting on ratings. I never replied because I’m devastated of the outcome of me wanting to pursue my dreams. Thanks for all the support and I pray everyone one of you gets selected and makes it through.
Jack Simon
Go to work. I’m right behind you
Joseph Williams
I feel that. Just submitted my enlistment papers. Just waiting on my waivers.
Christian Dinero
Best of luck brother! Training my ass off to hopefully get an 18x contract next year