The Vindictives are a Chicago-based punk pop group formed in 1990, and were… Read Full Bio ↴The Vindictives are a Chicago-based punk pop group formed in 1990, and were active through 1996. They are peers with Screeching Weasel, The Queers and other bands from the era, they are also heavily-influenced by the Ramones. Joey Vindicitive's characteristic nasal melodies often told the story of alienation, psychosis, social-ills, and contiunally rejected rules of politeness. The lyrics are often intelligent outrages communicated through intentionally immature self defeating soliloquies.

They began their career in 1991, cutting their first 7" record later that year with the lineup of Joey Vindictive (vocals), Johnny Personality (bass), Billy Blastoff (guitar), Dr. Bob (guitar), P.J. Parti (drums) and Erik Elsewhere (drums). The band would end up releasing 12 albums until July of 1996, when Joey Vindictive revealed that his health issues would prevent the band from going on. Luckily for him, he overcame his ailments to re-form the band in 2000, cutting a new album and overseeing the re-release of a significant part of their catalog. Dr. Bob died in 2003 due to a heroin overdose. Their song "The Invisible Man" was featured in the Ubisoft game Watch Dogs, where it attracted attention to restart the band once more in 2013, releasing a new EP titled Mono-Flexi, and to remaster most of their previous songs as Songbooks coming in volumes starting from I to III.

The Vindictives' website is currently down indefinitely.

I Know People
The Vindictives Lyrics

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I know people, who have a lot to say, while little Mr. Know-it-all sucks the thumb shoved up his ass, I know people, I see them every day, They criticize the life you live when they can't have their way, (chorus) His guts are moving in the wrong way, he shits a lot with his pants on, he'd steal a rotten donut that was soaking in a bucket of snot, His ass is moving thru the grinder his balls are nailed to the wall he's eating shit coming and going but he's always standing 10 feet tall,(/chorus) I know people, who've never learned too much, they say they have one life to live, but thinking takes too much, I know people, you're the people, I know people who like to bitch and moan,the blind will try to lead the blind... then they poke you in the eyes.. ouch, (chorus) I know people, and they know me, I know them, they know me and I know them, and they know me

Overall Meaning

The Vindictives's song "I Know People" is a social commentary on the people we encounter in our lives who are always quick to criticize others and make judgments on their life choices. The song highlights how these same people unfortunately do not have much of a life themselves and are stuck in a place where they feel the need to tear other people down to feel better about themselves.

The lyrics also speak to the idea of people not really learning anything in their lives and instead opting to just complain and criticize others. Through the song, The Vindictives remind us that these people are the ones who will try to lead us even though they are not qualified to do so, and that sometimes they will even hurt us in the process.

The chorus is particularly vivid with its description of the person who "shits a lot with his pants on" and will "eat shit coming and going but he's always standing 10 feet tall." These lyrics highlight the idea of someone who is so blatantly flawed and problematic, yet still seems to think they are somehow superior to others.

Overall, the song is a commentary on the unfortunate reality that there will always be people in our lives who are quick to judge and criticize, even when they themselves have little going on in their own lives. The Vindictives's message is clear: we should not listen to these people and instead focus on living our own lives to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

I know people, who have a lot to say, while little Mr. Know-it-all sucks the thumb shoved up his ass,
I know individuals who constantly talk but lack knowledge, while a self-proclaimed expert simulates thumb-sucking with their anal digit.

I know people, I see them every day, They criticize the life you live when they can't have their way,
I encounter people regularly, who condemn the choices you make, as they are unable to dictate their desires.

(chorus) His guts are moving in the wrong way, he shits a lot with his pants on, he'd steal a rotten donut that was soaking in a bucket of snot, His ass is moving thru the grinder his balls are nailed to the wall he's eating shit coming and going but he's always standing 10 feet tall,(/chorus)
His digestive system functions improperly,resulting in soiling his attire frequently. He would resort to thievery even if it were an extremely repulsive object.His buttocks are in contact with a grinding device and his scrotal area is adhered to the wall. He's consumed with difficulties but still shows unwavering confidence.

I know people, who've never learned too much, they say they have one life to live, but thinking takes too much,
I know individuals who have not gained much knowledge and argue that they have limited time on this planet, and there's no point in thinking much.

I know people, you're the people, I know people who like to bitch and moan,the blind will try to lead the blind... then they poke you in the eyes.. ouch,
I am aware of people (including you) who enjoy complaining and griping. The inexperienced will attempt to be in charge, and as a result, they ultimately cause damage (both physically and emotionally)

(chorus) I know people, and they know me, I know them, they know me and I know them, and they know me
I have an understanding of certain individuals, who know me as well. It's a two-way street, and I'm conscious of both sides.

Contributed by Logan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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