Equal Rights
The Lonely Island Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Discrimination
It ain't right

I'm not gay, but if I was, I would want equal rights
I'm not gay, but if I were, I would marry who I like
It's not fair, I'm not gay, that the government has a say
In who can love who (not gay)
Or to which god you can pray (I'm n'gay)

It gets me so angry, on behalf of them, I feel passionate (not gay)
So I'll pray for them and I say for them, "we need to make a change" (not gay)
I see it clear as day
This area is not great, kiddies
We need equality and for all to see that this is the new way (not gay)
It just seems (not gay) wrong (not gay)
That no one seems to care (sports)
We can't continue to pretend
This (not gay) madness has to end (not gay)

I was born this way (straight)
You were born your way (gay)
Gay or straight, straight or gay, it's all okay (sure)
It's time to make a change (yes)
It's time to stop the hate (uh)
'Cause who you are is beautiful (not gay)

We can't live this way (n'gay)
We can't turn away (n'gay)
So I make this vow (titties)
The time for change is now (sports)

Lying in bed next to ten beautiful girls (all straight)
And while I made love to every one of them
I was thinking about the world (hot wings)

How is it that I can have so much straight sex while two dudes are oppressed (not gay)
For having sex (not gay)
Or putting on a wedding dress (I assume)
I don't really know that much about it (beef jerky tastes good)
Politics are important
And if girls wanna have sex with me 'cause I said this, so be it (n'gay)
I'm not a hero, I'm just speaking the truth
I'm not a hero, don't call me a hero
(Beer, hoagie, sweatpants, not gay)
Yeah, not a hero (titties, not gay)

I'm not a hero
(I'm just a person)
So don't call me a hero
(Not some kind of world leader)
I just want equal rights (yeah)
And to sleep at night (yeah)
Next to a girl

True love trumps all (predator)
(Flying kicks, not gay, big watch)
(Not gay, missionary) one love
(Gym socks, nunchuck and not gay)
(Lighter fluid, HD, Ninja) world peace
(Four-wheel drive) gay marriage (love beef)
Free love (golf clubs)
Two guys (not gay)
Rainbow (muff dive)
Harvey Milk/Sean Penn (not gay)
(Drum solo, courtside seats) same sex
(One-armed push ups) Lynyrd Skynyrd

I'm not gay, I'm not gay
I'm not, not, not, not, n-n-n-not gay
I'm not gay

I was born this way (I'm straight)
You were born your way (you're gay)
Gay or straight, straight or gay, it's all okay
(And now it's time for sexual freedom for all)
It's time to make a change (sexual freedom for all)
It's time to stop the hate (sexual freedom for all)




'Cause who you are is beautiful (sexual freedom for all)
(Not gay)

Overall Meaning

The Lonely Island feat. P!nk's song Equal Rights is a poignant commentary on discrimination and the fight for equality. The song's lyrics reject heteronormative expectations and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. It highlights the absurdity of discrimination based on sexuality and the importance of standing up for equal rights. The chorus is a powerful statement of inclusivity: "I was born this way (straight)/ You were born your way (gay)/ Gay or straight, straight or gay, it's all okay/ It's time to make a change/ It's time to stop the hate/ 'Cause who you are is beautiful (not gay)."


The song's lyrics also take a humorous approach at times, using innuendo and wordplay to address serious social issues. For example, when the singer reflects on his own sexual experiences with women, he contrasts it with the oppression faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. The song uses humor to make a larger point about the absurdity of discrimination.


Equal Rights was released as a single in 2018, and its music video has over 4 million views on YouTube. It reflects the broader cultural shift towards increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities and the ongoing fight for equality. Through its lyrics and music, Equal Rights provides a powerful commentary on the need for greater inclusivity and acceptance in contemporary society.


Line by Line Meaning

Discrimination
Treating people differently based on their gender, race, or sexual orientation is unjust


It ain't right
Discrimination is wrong and is something that society must address


I'm not gay, but if I was, I would want equal rights
Although I am heterosexual, it is important to acknowledge and advocate for the equal rights of the LGBTQ+ community


I'm not gay, but if I were, I would marry who I like
If I were gay, I would want to have the freedom to marry the person I love, just like any heterosexual couple can


It's not fair, I'm not gay, that the government has a say
It is unjust and wrong for the government to have the power to control who someone can love and marry


In who can love who (not gay)
The government should not have the authority to dictate who someone can and cannot love based on their sexual orientation


Or to which god you can pray (I'm n'gay)
Similarly, it is not the government's role to limit an individual's religious freedom based on their sexual orientation


It gets me so angry, on behalf of them, I feel passionate (not gay)
The injustice and discrimination that the LGBTQ+ community faces makes me deeply upset and motivates me to speak out and fight for change


So I'll pray for them and I say for them, "we need to make a change" (not gay)
Advocating for the equal rights of the LGBTQ+ community is something that everyone can do, regardless of their sexual orientation


I see it clear as day
The issue of LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination is clear and undeniable


This area is not great, kiddies
The current situation regarding LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination is unacceptable and needs to change


We need equality and for all to see that this is the new way (not gay)
Creating a world where everyone is treated equally regardless of their sexual orientation is not just a wish, it is a requirement for a just society


It just seems (not gay) wrong (not gay)
The discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is simply wrong and indefensible


That no one seems to care (sports)
It is sad and frustrating that some people are not acknowledging the gravity and urgency of this issue


We can't continue to pretend
Ignoring or downplaying the discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is not a viable option


This (not gay) madness has to end (not gay)
Society's discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is not justifiable and must stop immediately


I was born this way (straight)
Being heterosexual is something that I was born with and cannot change


You were born your way (gay)
Similarly, being gay is a natural part of a person's identity that they cannot change


Gay or straight, straight or gay, it's all okay (sure)
Regardless of someone's sexual orientation, they should be treated with respect and dignity


It's time to make a change (yes)
The time has come for society to make sweeping changes to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community


It's time to stop the hate (uh)
Hate and intolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community is unacceptable and must be stopped


'Cause who you are is beautiful (not gay)
The LGBTQ+ community is beautiful and deserving of love and respect solely for who they are, just like any other human being


We can't live this way (n'gay)
The current situation of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is untenable and must change


We can't turn away (n'gay)
Ignoring the injustice faced by the LGBTQ+ community is not an option


So I make this vow (titties)
I pledge to work towards ending discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community


The time for change is now (sports)
There is no more time for delay or inaction; society must take meaningful steps towards equality for the LGBTQ+ community


Lying in bed next to ten beautiful girls (all straight)
Although I am heterosexual, I realize that love and desire are not limited to just one group of people


And while I made love to every one of them
My sexual experiences have taught me that people of all sexual orientations should have the freedom to love and be loved without discrimination


I was thinking about the world (hot wings)
My personal experiences have given me perspective and made me realize that the world is a complex and multifaceted place


How is it that I can have so much straight sex while two dudes are oppressed (not gay)
It is unjust that I have the freedom to love and have sex freely while the LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination and oppression


For having sex (not gay)
The fact that someone could be discriminated against just for their sexual orientation is an absurd and unacceptable reality


Or putting on a wedding dress (I assume)
The fact that one group of people is discriminated against for something as simple as the type of clothing they wear is another absurdity


I don't really know that much about it (beef jerky tastes good)
Although I may not fully understand the plight of the LGBTQ+ community, I know that it is real and must be addressed


Politics are important
The issue of LGBTQ+ rights is a political one that has real-world implications for individuals and society as a whole


And if girls wanna have sex with me 'cause I said this, so be it (n'gay)
I do not care about whether my advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights affects my personal life or sexual relationships


I'm not a hero, I'm just speaking the truth
Speaking out against the discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community is not an act of heroism, but rather a necessity


I'm not a hero, don't call me a hero
Advocating for the equal rights of the LGBTQ+ community is something that anyone can and should do, and does not make them a hero


(Beer, hoagie, sweatpants, not gay)
My personal preferences and attributes as a heterosexual have nothing to do with the pressing issue of LGBTQ+ rights


Yeah, not a hero (titties, not gay)
Repeating that advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights is not heroic, nor is it based on my personal attributes as a heterosexual male


True love trumps all (predator)
Love is the most powerful and beautiful force in the world, regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the people involved


(Flying kicks, not gay, big watch)
Once again, personal attributes and preferences are not relevant to the issue of LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination


(Not gay, missionary) one love
Love is a universal human experience that transcends race, gender, and sexual orientation


(Gym socks, nunchuck and not gay)
Reiterating that personal attributes are not relevant to the issue of LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination


(Lighter fluid, HD, Ninja) world peace
Ultimately, advocating for equal rights for all people, regardless of their gender, race, or sexual orientation, is a step towards world peace


(Four-wheel drive) gay marriage (love beef)
Ensuring that all people have the freedom to marry the person they love is crucial to creating a just and equal society


Free love (golf clubs)
Love and sexuality must be free from the constraints of discrimination and prejudice, just like the sport of golf is free from discrimination


Two guys (not gay)
Reiterating that love and relationships are not limited to one gender or sexual orientation


Rainbow (muff dive)
The rainbow flag is a symbol of the diversity and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community and should be celebrated, not discriminated against


Harvey Milk/Sean Penn (not gay)
Harvey Milk and Sean Penn are both advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, but their orientation does not define their advocacy


(Drum solo, courtside seats) same sex
Reiterating that love and relationships are not limited to one gender or sexual orientation


(One-armed push ups) Lynyrd Skynyrd
Personal attributes and preferences have no bearing on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination


I'm not gay, I'm not gay
Reiterating that sexual orientation is not relevant to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights


I'm not, not, not, not, n-n-n-not gay
Continuing to emphasize that sexual orientation does not define someone's advocacy for equal rights


I'm not gay
Affirming that sexual orientation is not relevant to the issue of LGBTQ+ discrimination and rights




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDY SAMBERG, AKIVA SCHAFFER, JORMA TACCONE, RAPHAEL JUDRIN, PIERRE-ANTOINE MELKI, YOAN CHIRESCU

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

@Patrick96322

True love trumps all (Predator)
(Flying kicks, not gay, big watch)
(Not gay, missionary) One Love
(Gym socks, nunchuck and not gay)
(Lighter fluid, HD, Ninja) World peace
(4-wheel drive) Gay marriage (love beav)
Free love (golf clubs)
Two guys (not gay)
Rainbow (muff dive)
Harvey Milk/Sean Penn (not gay)
(Drum solo, courtside seats) Same sex
(One-armed push ups) Lynyrd Skynyrd



All comments from YouTube:

@OneTopic

This song still slaps.

@psychoticmaniac8465

hell ya it does (not gay)

@kathrynwilliams6497

Hey there, One Topic, fancy meeting you he're

@kaiserblaine7316

pro trick: watch movies at flixzone. Been using it for watching loads of movies these days.

@allenaustin8311

@Kaiser Blaine yea, I have been watching on flixzone for since november myself =)

@holdenkylo6859

@Kaiser Blaine yea, I have been using Flixzone for years myself :)

1 More Replies...

@kalingambino7386

the "lying in bed next to ten beautiful girls all straight" part killed me

@songofvictory2011

damn I would prefer them all to be bisexual if I was in that situation, know what I'm saying?

@SamJohnston91

yeah less work

@nicolesmrekar5866

I'm sure most of them will be willing to lie and say they're bi for ya. ;)

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