The Message
noredirect/Grandmaster Flash Lyrics

It's like a jungle sometimes
Life can be chaotic and overwhelming

It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
I often contemplate how I manage to survive amidst difficult circumstances

Broken glass everywhere
There is debris and destruction all around

People pissin' on the stairs, you know they just don't care
Individuals showing disrespect and apathy towards their surroundings

I can't take the smell, can't take the noise
The overwhelming odors and sounds are unbearable

Got no money to move out, I guess I got no choice
Unable to afford better living conditions, I feel trapped

Rats in the front room, roaches in the back
Vermin infesting the living spaces

Junkies in the alley with a baseball bat
Drug addicts posing a threat with their weapons

I tried to get away but I couldn't get far
Attempting to escape the troubled environment but facing obstacles

'Cause a man with a tow truck repossessed my car
My car was taken away by a tow truck driver due to financial struggles

Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge
Please do not provoke me because I am on the verge of breaking

I'm trying not to lose my head, ha-ha-ha-ha
I'm making an effort to remain calm and composed, despite the challenges

Standin' on the front stoop, hangin' out the window
Positioned on the porch, observing the surroundings from the open window

Watchin' all the cars go by, roarin' as the breezes blow
Observing the bustling traffic, accompanied by strong gusts of wind

Crazy lady, livin' in a bag
A mentally unstable woman dwelling in poverty

Eatin' outta garbage pails, used to be a fag hag
Resorting to scavenging food from trash cans, previously having associated with gay men

Said she'll dance the tango, skip the light fandango
Expressing delusions and erratic behavior, claiming to perform extravagant dances

A Zircon princess seemed to lost her senses
Referring to herself as a princess, she appears to have become disconnected from reality

Down at the peep show watchin' all the creeps
Frequenting a seedy establishment to observe unsavory individuals

So she can tell her stories to the girls back home
To share her experiences with her acquaintances in her hometown

She went to the city and got so-so siditty
When she moved to the city, she became somewhat pretentious

She had to get a pimp, she couldn't make it on her own
Unable to support herself, she resorted to relying on a pimp

My brother's doin' bad, stole my mother's TV
My sibling is struggling and resorted to stealing our mother's television

Says she watches too much, it's just not healthy
My brother believes our mother's excessive TV consumption is detrimental to her well-being

All My Children in the daytime, Dallas at night
Our mother indulges in soap operas during the day and watches Dallas in the evenings

Can't even see the game or the Sugar Ray fight
Unable to watch sports events, including a Sugar Ray boxing match

The bill collectors, they ring my phone
Creditors continuously call me, demanding payment

And scare my wife when I'm not home
Their calls cause anxiety and fear for my wife in my absence

Got a bum education, double-digit inflation
Received a poor quality education and now face high inflation rates

Can't take the train to the job, there's a strike at the station
Unable to use public transportation due to a workers' strike at the train station

Neon King Kong standin' on my back
Feeling burdened and overwhelmed by the pressures of life

Can't stop to turn around, broke my sacroiliac
Too preoccupied to pause or reverse course, also suffering from a painful injury

A mid-range migraine, cancered membrane
Experiencing severe headaches and a diseased membrane

Sometimes I think I'm goin' insane
Occasionally, I fear that I am losing my sanity

I swear I might hijack a plane
Feeling desperate, I contemplate resorting to a drastic act like hijacking an aircraft

My son said, 'Daddy, I don't wanna go to school
My son expresses reluctance towards attending school

'Cause the teacher's a jerk, he must think I'm a fool'
He believes his teacher is unfair and holds him in low regard

And all the kids smoke reefer, I think it'd be cheaper
Many of his peers engage in drug use, leading him to believe it would be more affordable than education

If I just got a job, learned to be a street sweeper
He contemplates pursuing a job as a street sweeper instead

Or dance to the beat, shuffle my feet
Alternatively, he considers becoming a dancer and showcasing his footwork

Wear a shirt and tie and run with the creeps
To conform to society's expectations, he imagines wearing professional attire and associating with unsavory individuals

'Cause it's all about money, ain't a damn thing funny
Emphasizing the importance of financial success and the lack of humor in the situation

You got to have a con in this land of milk and honey
Indicating the necessity to possess a clever scheme in this prosperous yet deceptive society

They pushed that girl in front of the train
Referring to a tragic incident where someone was intentionally forced in front of a moving train

Took her to the doctor, sewed her arm on again
Rescuing the victim and performing surgery to reattach her severed arm

Stabbed that man right in his heart
Committing a violent act by plunging a knife into a man's chest

Gave him a transplant for a brand new start
Providing the victim with a life-saving organ transplant for a fresh beginning

I can't walk through the park 'cause it's crazy after dark
The park is unsafe and dangerous during the nighttime, preventing me from walking through it

Keep my hand on my gun 'cause they got me on the run
Feeling threatened and constantly holding onto a firearm while being pursued

I feel like a outlaw, broke my last glass jaw
Sense of being an outlaw, having no remaining resilience or strength

Hear them say, 'You want some more?'
Hearing taunts and threats from others, provoking further conflict

Livin' on a see-saw
Living a turbulent and unstable life

A child is born with no state of mind
A newborn lacks preconceived notions or biases

Blind to the ways of mankind
Unaware of the complexities and flaws of human society

God is smilin' on you but he's frownin' too
While there may be divine favor, there is also judgement and disapproval

Because only God knows what you'll go through
Only a higher power has knowledge of the challenges and hardships one will face

You'll grow in the ghetto livin' second-rate
Coming of age in a disadvantaged and marginalized neighborhood

And your eyes will sing a song called deep hate
Developing a strong resentment and anger towards the circumstances

The places you play and where you stay
The locations where one spends time and lives

Looks like one great big alleyway
The surroundings resemble a massive, interconnected alley

You'll admire all the number-book takers
Being drawn to individuals involved in illegal gambling operations

Thugs, pimps and pushers and the big money-makers
Being enticed by criminals, exploiters, and those involved in lucrative illicit activities

Drivin' big cars, spendin' twenties and tens
Observing individuals flaunting wealth, spending large amounts of money

And you'll wanna grow up to be just like them
Aspiring to emulate their lifestyle and success

Huh, smugglers, scramblers, burglars, gamblers
Listing various types of criminals and illegal activities

Pickpocket peddlers, even panhandlers
Including individuals involved in petty theft, street vending, and begging

You say I'm cool, huh, I'm no fool
Being perceived as cool or impressive, but not easily deceived

But then you wind up droppin' outta high school
Despite initial confidence, succumbing to the decision to quit high school

Now you're unemployed, all non-void
Finding oneself jobless, with no prospects or opportunities

Walkin' round like you're Pretty Boy Floyd
Adopting an air of confidence and bravado, similar to the notorious bank robber Pretty Boy Floyd

Turned stick-up kid, but look what you done did
Engaging in robbery and criminality, reflecting on the consequences of those actions

Got sent up for an eight-year bid
Receiving an eight-year prison sentence for the criminal activities

Now your manhood is took and you're a Maytag
In prison, losing one's dignity and becoming a target for abuse

Spend the next two years as a undercover fag
Enduring two years as an undercover homosexual for protection in prison

Bein' used and abused to serve like hell
Experiencing manipulation and mistreatment while being forced to work relentlessly

'Til one day, you was found hung dead in the cell
Eventually being discovered dead by hanging in the prison cell

It was plain to see that your life was lost
Clearly evident that your life had come to an end

You was cold and your body swung back and forth
You were lifeless, your body swaying back and forth from the hanging

But now your eyes sing the sad, sad song
Now deceased, your eyes metaphorically express a mournful melody

Of how you lived so fast and died so young
Reflecting on the brief and reckless life that led to an untimely death

So don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge
I am already on the brink, please do not provoke me further

I'm trying not to lose my head, ha-ha-ha-ha
Struggling to maintain composure and sanity, finding moments of humor to cope

A child is born with no state of mind
The birth of a child does not come with preconceived notions or biases

Blind to the ways of mankind
Initially unaware of the complexities and faults of humanity

God is smilin' on you but he's frownin' too
While there may be divine favor, there is also disapproval and judgement

Because only God knows what you'll go through
Only a higher power possesses knowledge of the challenges one will face

You'll grow in the ghetto livin' second-rate
Growing up in a disadvantaged and marginalized community

And your eyes will sing a song called deep hate
Developing a strong resentment and anger towards the circumstances

The places you play and where you stay
The locations where one spends time and resides

Looks like one great big alleyway
The environment resembles a vast interconnected alley

You'll admire all the number-book takers
Being fascinated by individuals involved in illegal gambling operations

Thugs, pimps and pushers and the big money-makers
Having admiration for criminals, exploiters, and those engaged in lucrative illicit activities

Drivin' big cars, spendin' twenties and tens
Noticing individuals flaunting their wealth by driving expensive vehicles and spending large amounts of money

And you'll wanna grow up to be just like them
Aspiring to emulate their lifestyle and success

Huh, smugglers, scramblers, burglars, gamblers
Mentioning various types of criminals and illegal activities

Pickpocket peddlers, even panhandlers
Referring to individuals involved in petty theft, street vending, and begging

You say I'm cool, huh, I'm no fool
Being perceived as cool or impressive, but not easily deceived

But then you wind up droppin' outta high school
However, it later becomes apparent that you end up leaving high school

Now you're unemployed, all non-void
Finding yourself without a job, with no prospects or opportunities

Walkin' round like you're Pretty Boy Floyd
Adopting an air of confidence and bravado, similar to the notorious bank robber Pretty Boy Floyd

Turned stick-up kid, but look what you done did
Transitioning into a life of crime, reflecting on the consequences of those actions

Got sent up for an eight-year bid
Receiving an eight-year prison sentence for the criminal activities

Now your manhood is took and you're a Maytag
In prison, losing one's dignity and becoming a target for abuse

Spend the next two years as a undercover fag
Enduring two years as an undercover homosexual for protection in prison

Bein' used and abused to serve like hell
Experiencing manipulation and mistreatment while being forced to serve relentlessly

'Til one day, you was found hung dead in the cell
Ultimately being discovered dead by hanging in the prison cell

It was plain to see that your life was lost
Clearly evident that your life had ended

You was cold and your body swung back and forth
You were lifeless, your body swinging back and forth from the hanging

But now your eyes sing the sad, sad song
Now deceased, your eyes metaphorically express a mournful melody

Of how you lived so fast and died so young
Reflecting on the brief and reckless life that led to an untimely death

So don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge
I am already on the verge, please do not further instigate me

I'm trying not to lose my head, ha-ha-ha-ha
Struggling to maintain composure and sanity, finding moments of humor to cope