Not Personal
The Interrupters Lyrics


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Cut throat boss man
Cold as ice
Killer shark in a suit and
The water' s just right
Switchblade, shotgun
Baseball bat
If it gets the job done
Gangsters know that
It's business, not personal
They heard knock knock
Knock knock "come outside"

We have your place surrounded
Now there's nowhere to hide
We'll drag you out by your feet
That's alive or dead
If it get's the job done, officer said
It's business, not personal
Crack goes the gavel now the court's
In session
No rat in the room
So there's no confession
Omertà is the law and the most respected




If it gets the job done, you'll be protected
It's business, not personal

Overall Meaning

The Interrupters' song "Not Personal" is a commentary on the brutality of the business world. The lyrics describe a cutthroat environment where success is achieved by any means necessary, including violence. The repeated phrase "It's business, not personal" encapsulates the sentiment that in this world, emotions have no place and the only thing that matters is getting the job done.


The first verse highlights the idea that bosses in this world are ruthless and will do whatever it takes to succeed. The use of metaphors like "killer shark in a suit" and "switchblade, shotgun, baseball bat" reinforces this image of a violent, uncompromising environment. The second verse describes a scenario where law enforcement is also part of this world, advocating for similarly brutal tactics to achieve their goals. The final verse references "Omertà," a code of silence and loyalty famously used by the Italian Mafia, suggesting that this brutal world is not limited to one specific industry, but is pervasive throughout the business world.


Overall, "Not Personal" is a stark commentary on the brutal reality of businesses where profit is the only goal and ethics and morality are left by the wayside.


Line by Line Meaning

Cut throat boss man
A ruthless and aggressive leader who will do whatever it takes to get what they want.


Cold as ice
Completely unemotional and devoid of empathy, caring only about their own goals.


Killer shark in a suit and
A very dangerous and cunning person who appears to be respectable and law-abiding.


The water's just right
The perfect opportunity or situation for the boss man to strike and further their goals.


Switchblade, shotgun
Weapons of choice for gangsters who are willing to resort to violence to achieve their aims.


Baseball bat
Another tool of violence favored by gangsters who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty.


If it gets the job done
The only concern is achieving the desired outcome, regardless of the means used to get there.


Gangsters know that
People who engage in criminal activity are fully aware of the nature of their actions and the risks they entail.


It's business, not personal
The boss man and the gangsters view their actions as purely pragmatic and not based on emotion, sentiment or personal grudges.


They heard knock knock
The authorities have arrived or are about to arrive.


Knock knock "come outside"
The police are ordering the boss man or the gangsters to leave the building or confront them directly.


We have your place surrounded
The police have stationed officers around the building or area where the boss man and the gangsters are located.


Now there's nowhere to hide
The police have effectively eliminated all possible escape routes.


We'll drag you out by your feet
The police are willing to use force to apprehend and arrest the boss man or the gangsters.


That's alive or dead
The police are prepared to use lethal force if necessary to apprehend or stop the boss man or the gangsters.


Officer said
The authority figure giving the orders is maintaining a calm and professional demeanor.


Crack goes the gavel now the court's
The judge has passed sentence and the court proceedings are coming to a close.


In session
The court is currently in operation with witnesses, lawyers, and other personnel present.


No rat in the room
There is no snitch or informant present who might betray the gangsters or the boss man.


So there's no confession
Without any evidence or testimony, it is difficult for the authorities to secure a conviction.


Omertà is the law and the most respected
The criminal code of silence is strictly enforced within the gang and those who break it are subject to severe consequences.


If it gets the job done, you'll be protected
The gangsters will support each other as long as they remain loyal and continue to follow the rules of the gang.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kevin Bivona, Justin Bivona, Jesse Bivona, Aimee Allen, Tim Armstrong

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

@prachikharade1532

Cut throat boss man
Cold as ice
Killer shark in a suit and the water's just right

Switchblade, shotgun, baseball bat
If it gets the job done
Gangsters know that

It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal

They heard knock knock knock knock "come outside!"
We have your place surrounded
Now there's nowhere to hide
We'll drag you out by your feet
That's alive or dead
If it get's the job done, officer said

It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal

Crack goes the gavel now the court's in session
No rat in the room
So there's no confession
Omertà is the law and the most respected
If it gets the job done, you'll be protected

It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal

It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal
It's business, not personal

1, 2, 3, 4 Stop



All comments from YouTube:

@Naughtism

It's like one of those albums you can put on and just listen to every song.

@mikelunatiko

It's like one of those, but without the "like" ;)

@jfl2412

This band makes my heart smile so much!

I love Ska with all my heart ♥️

@Omar-mf6pl

This is my favorite band!! 👊🏻❤

@malikjohnston3883

GENIUS song.
great music. vocals. lyrics.
they were even able to include a fun and memorable bass line from "Do The Dog" by the legendary two-tone ska band The Specials.

@martinwilson8296

Fun music. Gonna check em out next year when they come to town... Hope some other old rockers show up to keep me company...

@viciousVinyl1

This should be the next single.

@derekgailey6443

Love the album! Can’t wait to get my vinyl 🎶

@marih6287

This gets me so hyped up!!!

@schlitzke1

this song/band needs/deserves waaay more thumbs up...seriously people...come on :)

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