Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
Guns and the Young
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
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Both women have been shot twice in the head
Gang violence in Boston
No parent has planned that their children would leave them on this earth through violence
Arrrgghhh
Hey what's the big idea? Why don't you look where you're
Police are on full alert
357 magnum 9 millimeter handgun A-K 47 and an UZI sub machine gun
357 magnum 9 millimeter handgun A-K 47 and an UZI sub machine gun
357 magnum 9 millimeter handgun A-K 47 and an UZI sub machine gun
You see it on TV, you know it looks cool
All these actors going around killing thousands of people
In two or three minutes, it builds up in your head and you say,
"Yo I can do that" just stand facing a wall
Your enemies are all around you
You can feel the tension, right behind you
357 magnum 9 millimeter hangun A-K 47 and an UZI sub machine gun
Everybody's trying to take Take!
Take over my spot, people just trying to take Take!
Take what I got see if I'm strapped, they can't get to me
Everybody's afraid of each other
You make enemies so easily just hangin' on the corner
Gang violence in Boston[4x] Nathan!
Chains snatched a couple of times, shoes off your feet
Feel like you've got to arm yourself to protect yourself
Chains snatched a couple of times, shoes off your feet
Feel like you've got to arm yourself to protect yourself
Help
Help
Help
Help
Help
Help
Help
Help
What do you do if someone's packin'?
What the hell can one man do?
What do you do if he's crackin'?
Hope he can't shoot straight?
357 magnum 9mm handgun A-K 47 and an UZI sub machine gun
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones's song "Guns and the Young" delves into the issue of gang violence in Boston and how it affects the youth. The lyrics talk about a recent incident where two women have been shot twice in the head. The police are on full alert, but they have no suspects yet. The song talks about the fear and paranoia that exists in such environments where violence is rampant. It is emphasized that no parent plans for their children to leave this earth through violence. The chorus repeats the names of various guns, highlighting how easily accessible they are and how they are glorified in popular culture.
The song explores the idea of how violence is glorified and normalized through media, specifically movies and TV shows that show actors killing thousands of people. This builds up in the minds of young people, and they feel empowered to take matters into their own hands. The lyrics discuss the tension that can be felt in such places and how everyone is trying to take over someone else's "spot." People make enemies easily, and the fear and paranoia lead to a vicious cycle of violence. The song ends with questions about what one can do if someone is "packin'" or "crackin'," and the lyrics repeat the names of the guns, emphasizing their easy accessibility and the need for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Police have no suspects yet,
Authorities have not identified anyone responsible for the crime yet.
Both women have been shot twice in the head
Both female victims were shot in the head twice.
Gang violence in Boston
A culture of gang violence exists in Boston.
No parent has planned that their children would leave them on this earth through violence
No parents expect their children to die due to violent circumstances.
Arrrgghhh
The singer expresses a feeling of frustration, anger, or helplessness.
Hey what's the big idea? Why don't you look where you're
The singer questions someone for not paying attention or causing trouble.
Police are on full alert
The authorities are taking extra precautions and readiness measures.
357 magnum 9 millimeter handgun A-K 47 and an UZI sub machine gun
The lyrics list various lethal weapons.
You see it on TV, you know it looks cool
The media portrays violence in a glamorous way.
All these actors going around killing thousands of people
Actors playing violent roles have a significant influence on viewers.
In two or three minutes, it builds up in your head and you say, "Yo I can do that" just stand facing a wall
Exposure to violent imagery desensitizes people to violence and causes them to consider violent actions.
Your enemies are all around you
The singer references the paranoia and anxiety that stems from living in a violent area.
You can feel the tension, right behind you
The singer describes the palpable anxiety present in violent environments.
Everybody's trying to take Take!
People in violent areas are struggling to establish and hold onto possessions and status.
Take over my spot, people just trying to take Take!
Individuals are trying to claim territory and possessions from others.
Take what I got see if I'm strapped, they can't get to me
People resort to violence to protect themselves and their possessions.
Everybody's afraid of each other
Paranoia and distrust is common among people in violent environments.
You make enemies so easily just hangin' on the corner
Simply being in certain places can make someone a target for violence.
Chains snatched a couple of times, shoes off your feet
People have experienced theft and violent crime.
Feel like you've got to arm yourself to protect yourself
People in violent areas feel like they have to own weapons to defend themselves.
Help Help Help Help
The singer is calling for help or expressing a sense of desperation.
What do you do if someone's packin'?
The singer is asking what someone should do if another person is carrying a weapon.
What the hell can one man do?
The singer suggests that one person cannot make a significant impact on the issue of violent crime.
What do you do if he's crackin'?
The singer is asking what someone should do if another person is acting unpredictably or irrationally.
Hope he can't shoot straight?
The singer is suggesting that the best course of action is to hope the other person is not an accurate shooter.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael J
I was lucky enough to see these guys twice in their prime: 1992 in Connecticut and 1994 in Sacramento. Fun times.
Melissa Berry
... AK47...
Melissa Berry
Great anti gun violence song