Shut Down
The Germs Lyrics

Let me touch the tips of inculcated desire
I want to explore the depths of my desires, no matter how they were ingrained in me

And brush the fettered veil away
I want to remove any obstacles that are preventing me from fully embracing my desires

Shut down in the depths I lay
I feel trapped and confined by society's expectations and norms

If you want nothin' then I've got nothin'
I have nothing to offer those who are not interested in my perspective or desires

I'm your annihilation man
I have the power to destroy the societal constructs that repress me

Lemme get control I've got your minds
I want to take over the minds of those who oppose me or try to censor me

Now I want your souls, lemme get control
I want to have complete power over others, including their thoughts and souls

I've got your minds
I currently have a hold on your thoughts and opinions

Now I want your souls, I need control
I need to maintain this hold on your souls to feel empowered

If you want somethin' then I've got somethin'
I am willing to offer my perspective and desires to those who are interested

When I see you on the street
When I encounter people who don't share my perspective

You just stare at your feet
They refuse to engage with me or challenge societal norms

Can't you see, we just don't meet
Our beliefs and desires don't align

When I see you all out there
When I see people in larger societal groups

I just grin and I don't care
I relish in my differences and don't care about conforming

Can't you see, we really mean it, we really believe
We truly feel passionate about our perspective and desires

Just close your eyes and let it be
Stop resisting our beliefs and let us be who we are

Just close your eyes you'll never see
You will never understand our perspective if you don't open your mind to it

Can't you see it, we can see it
We can see through the societal constructs that are holding us back

All you people that I forget
I have moved on from those who don't understand me

You can just place your fucking bets [?]
You can underestimate me if you want

We don't need your fucking money
We don't need to conform to societal norms to be successful

We don't need you sucking on it
We don't need approval or validation from those who oppose us

Oh old poor Sid what a pity
Sid Vicious's tragic death highlights the destructive nature of society

I can't think of another city that would leave him
Even in a different city, the same societal pressures would likely have affected Sid Vicious

When I see Johnny Rose, I just guess that he knows
Johnny Rose likely understands and supports our perspective and desires

[?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

And poor JFK, such a smart man blowed away
Even intelligent and successful people like JFK can fall victim to societal violence and oppression

Belinda
This line is unclear or unintelligible

Oh, why did you need her?
Why did Belinda adhere to societal norms instead of embracing her desires like us?

She just bled [?]
Belinda likely suffered due to societal norms and expectations

We don't care how you get your kicks
We don't judge others for how they find happiness or satisfaction

We just care [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

Can't you see [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

And look up there, there, there's Skylab
Even technological advancements like Skylab won't solve the societal issues we face

Piled up in my social fabric
Societal constructs have contributed to our current issues

And if I said I came from here
Our societal origins or backgrounds are irrelevant in the face of societal pressure

Would you still give me a beer
Would you still accept and support me despite our differences?

Can't you see, it's a flea bargain
Societal pressure is a bad deal for us and those who conform to it

Poor Joe[?], poor Joan Jett
Even successful and revolutionary artists like Joan Jett can fall victim to societal pressure and scrutiny

Passed out on the fucking set
Joan Jett likely experienced the negative effects of societal pressure while performing

Oh I'm so free
I am free from societal constructs and expectations

When I see you on the beach
When I encounter those who adhere to societal norms even in casual settings

Kick that [?]
Kick away societal oppression and conformity

Where I put that in my arm
Drug use is part of my rebellion against societal norms

I know that it does no harm
I believe that my drug use is not harming anyone else or myself

'Cause you see, it's my personal gender
I view my drug use and rebellion as a part of my identity and gender

When we walk on the track
When we are actively rebelling against societal norms and constructs

Can't you see we won't be back
We won't return to conforming and adhering to societal expectations

You don't think that
You don't understand our perspective

I depend [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

Can't you see, we really mean it, really, really
We are passionate and sincere in our rebellion against societal oppression

When I see you on the wall
When I see those who conform to societal expectations

I know that you just can't fall
You won't break away from societal constructs

You're so small, you're so small
You are insignificant in the face of societal constructs and oppression

When I see you in a magazine
When I see representations of societal constructs in media

I just know that you don't look clean
Societal expectations and norms are dirty and restricting

'Cause you know what [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

Can't you see
Can't you see the flaws and harm of societal constructs?

When I see you on my block
When I encounter those in my immediate surroundings who conform to societal expectations

I don't even want to talk
I don't want to interact with those who don't understand my perspective or desires

Can't you see, take a walk
Leave me alone and let me be who I am

And when you hear my name out there
When my rebellion against societal constructs is known

I know that you never cared
You never supported or understood my perspective

We don't care how [?]
We don't care about societal norms or expectations

This bleach [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

Can't you see, we're really [?]
We are truly dedicated to our rebellion against societal constructs

When your mother [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

Can't you see you're [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

It's not worth it, [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

When you give me all your change
When you give me all your resources or support

I'll just say I need spare change
I won't conform to societal expectations even when accepting help

But [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

When I see your hearts on fire
When I see people who are passionate about societal issues

I just want to start a pyre
I want to fuel their desire to rebel against societal constructs and norms

'Cause you're oh so low
Societal constructs have brought you down

Very low
This line highlights the oppressive nature of societal constructs

When I see your name on my list
When I encounter those who have opposed my rebellion against societal constructs

If you don't hear I guess I just missed
If you don't acknowledge my rebellion against societal constructs, then I have no time for you

John [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

Don't tell [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

And all you fucking English brats
People in English society who conform to societal constructs and expectations

You don't care where it's at
You don't care about societal issues or the oppression of others

Don't you know? It always shows
Your adherence to societal constructs and norms is evident in your actions and beliefs

And If all [?]
This line is unclear or unintelligible

You don't know it's an accident
You don't understand the societal oppression that has led to our rebellion and actions

You believe you've been deceived
You believe societal constructs are natural and justifiable, but we see through them

Sorry
This line is likely sarcastic or dismissive of societal norms and expectations