Suicidal Tendencies is an American hardcore band formed in 1980 in Venice, … Read Full Bio ↴Suicidal Tendencies is an American hardcore band formed in 1980 in Venice, California, by vocalist Mike Muir, who is the only remaining original member of the band. They are often credited as one of the originators of crossover thrash. The current lineup includes Muir, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Ben Weinman, bassist Tye Trujillo and drummer Greyson Nekrutman. Notable musicians who have contributed to the band's studio or live activities include guitarists Rocky George and Mike Clark, bassists Louiche Mayorga, Robert Trujillo, Josh Paul and Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, and drummers Amery Smith, Jimmy DeGrasso, Brooks Wackerman, David Hidalgo Jr., Thomas Pridgen and session musician Josh Freese.

Discography

• Suicidal Tendencies (1983)
• Join the Army (1987)
• How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today (1988)
• Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu (1989)
• Lights...Camera...Revolution! (1990)
• The Art of Rebellion (1992)
• Still Cyco After All These Years (1993)
• Suicidal for Life (1994)
• Freedumb (1999)
• Free Your Soul and Save My Mind (2000)
• No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family (2010)
• 13 (2013)
• World Gone Mad (2016)
• Still Cyco Punk After All These Years (2018)

If I Don't Wake Up
Suicidal Tendencies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why do I wake up in the morning-nothing's changed since the day of my birth
Why do I wake up in the morning-I make no difference on this earth

Strength has left-has to be-something has died inside of me
If I don't wake up in the morning-at my funeral would anyone care
If I don't wake up in the morning-would anyone even be there

You can put me down-you can put me out, you can try to ignore

But now you're gonna hear me when I shout WAKE UP

Why should I wake up in the morning-it be just another wasted day
Why should I wake up in the morning-don't do nothing right anyway

That was then-not anymore-now I go blasting out the door
I'm gonna wake up in the morning-I'll prove you wrong I will not fail
I'm gonna wake up in the morning-I'm gonna blaze a brand new trail

Might not be smart, but if I'm strong
I know for sure no one ever will prove me wrong

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Suicidal Tendencies' song "If I Don't Wake Up" convey a sense of hopelessness and despair, as the singer questions their own existence and worth. The opening lines suggest a sense of futility, as the singer laments that nothing has changed since their birth and that they make no difference on this earth. This sense of aimlessness and lack of purpose is further emphasized in the second verse, where the singer questions why they should bother waking up in the morning to face another day of failure and disappointment.

The chorus, with its repeated insistence to "wake up," can be interpreted as a call to action or a challenge to the perceived apathy of the world around the singer. The line "you can put me down, you can put me out, you can try to ignore" suggests that the singer has experienced rejection or dismissal from others, but they are determined to make their voice heard.

The final verse represents a shift in attitude, as the singer vows to wake up in the morning and prove others wrong. The line "might not be smart, but if I'm strong, I know for sure no one ever will prove me wrong" suggests that the singer is willing to take risks and forge their own path, regardless of others' opinions.

Overall, the lyrics of "If I Don't Wake Up" reflect the struggles of an individual facing feelings of worthlessness and despondency, but ultimately finding the strength to persevere and challenge the status quo.

Line by Line Meaning

Why do I wake up in the morning-nothing's changed since the day of my birth
I question the purpose of waking up as nothing in my life has changed since the day I was born.

Why do I wake up in the morning-I make no difference on this earth
I lack meaning in my life and feel like I am not making a difference on this earth.

Strength has left-has to be-something has died inside of me
I have lost my strength, and something inside me has died, leaving me feeling empty.

If I don't wake up in the morning-at my funeral would anyone care
I question whether anyone would care if I died - whether I have made an impact on anyone's life.

If I don't wake up in the morning-would anyone even be there
I wonder if anyone would be present at my funeral if I were to die.

You can put me down-you can put me out, you can try to ignore
Others can judge me or ignore me, but I will not be deterred.

But now you're gonna hear me when I shout WAKE UP
I will make my presence known and demand attention when I shout to wake up.

Why should I wake up in the morning-it be just another wasted day
I question why I should even bother waking up when I feel like each day is wasted.

Why should I wake up in the morning-don't do nothing right anyway
I feel like I can't do anything right, adding to my sense of meaninglessness.

That was then-not anymore-now I go blasting out the door
I am done living in the past and am ready to take action and confront my struggles.

I'm gonna wake up in the morning-I'll prove you wrong I will not fail
I am determined to wake up in the morning and prove my doubters wrong by not failing.

I'm gonna wake up in the morning-I'm gonna blaze a brand new trail
I will wake up in the morning and pave a new path for myself.

Might not be smart, but if I'm strong I know for sure no one ever will prove me wrong
I may not be smart, but if I am strong-willed, no one can prove me wrong.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLARK, MUIR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS