Frontman Raymond "Raybeez" Barbieri was the band's only consistent member through the vast majority of its years. He joined the band as the drummer in 1983 (the same year he played drums on the debut Agnostic Front 7" EP United Blood), later taking over vocal duties after Warzone had already been in existence for two years (noting later, "in a band that [had] been running for so long, there has to be something there"). Raybeez remained the singer of Warzone until his death on September 11, 1997 due to pneumonia. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was receiving treatment in a VHA facility when the illness damaged his liver and took his life at the age of 35. A tribute sign reading "R.I.P Ray" hung outside CBGB for some time following his death, and for more than a year afterward, every release on Victory Records was dedicated to his memory, as were two independent compilations. These albums, as well as benefit concerts, raised funds for several non-profit groups Ray had worked for which helped at-risk youth."
Going Psycho
Warzone Lyrics
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The way you think I should
Tried of living right
And I wanna fight tonight
Time to go out, have some fun
Steal a car, cruise around
Listen to music all night long
Spray paint in hand is all I need
to make my mark on society
The laws you make I'll always break
and you can't stand me
In my mind I'm about to crack
I'm telling you now, better stand back
Feel myself on the edge
waiting to fall over the edge.
The lyrics of Warzone’s song, ‘Going Psycho’, convey the frustration and angst felt by the singer towards societal expectations and conventions. The singer expresses a desire for rebellion and nonconformity, rejecting the notion of living a ‘good’ and ‘right’ life. Instead, they opt for a more reckless and rebellious lifestyle, one filled with mischief and rule-breaking. The singer finds solace in the night, filled with loud music and exciting activities, but also finds themselves on the brink of insanity. The spray paint in their hand is a symbol of their desire to leave their mark on society, even if it means defacing it.
The lyrics also highlight the conflict between the individual and society. The singer feels compelled to rebel against authority and the laws set in place. They are unapologetic about their actions, saying that they will always break the laws that are set, causing turmoil and commotion wherever they go. The singer sees themselves as an outcast, someone that society cannot ‘stand’. Their actions are a means of asserting their individuality and proving that they are not bound by the expectations set by society.
Overall, Warzone’s ‘Going Psycho’ portrays the mindset of an individual who is struggling to cope with society’s expectations and norms. The go-to response is to rebel against authority and live life on their terms, even if it means losing their sanity along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Tried of living good
I am tired of living the way society expects me to live
The way you think I should
I am tired of living up to your standards and expectations
Tried of living right
I am tired of always doing the right thing
And I wanna fight tonight
I want to do something different and rebellious tonight
Time to go out, have some fun
It's time to leave the house and have a good time
Steal a car, cruise around
I want to experience something thrilling like joyriding in a stolen car
Listen to music all night long
I want to enjoy my time by listening to my favorite songs
Causing trouble is where I belong
I find comfort in causing chaos and disruption
Spray paint in hand is all I need
I will use graffiti to make a statement and leave my mark on society
to make my mark on society
I want to make a lasting impression on society with my art
The laws you make I'll always break
I will always defy the laws you create
and you can't stand me
You disapprove of my lifestyle choices and behavior
In my mind I'm about to crack
I am feeling overwhelmed and close to losing control
I'm telling you now, better stand back
If you don't want to get caught up in my chaos, you should step back
Feel myself on the edge
I am teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown
waiting to fall over the edge.
I am afraid that I will soon lose all control and give in to my desires
Contributed by Xavier I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.