Prison Song
system of a down (usa) Lyrics
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They're trying to build a prison
Following the rights movements
You clamped on with your iron fists
Drugs became conveniently
Available for all the kids
Following the rights movements
Drugs became conveniently
Available for all the kids
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
Nearly two million Americans are incarcerated
In the prison system, prison system
Prison system of the U.S.
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(For you and me to live in)
Another prison system
Another prison system
Another prison system
(For you and me)
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars
Against the new non-rich
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars
Against the new non-rich
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
The percentage of Americans in the prison system
Prison system, has doubled since 1985
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(For you and me to live in)
Another prison system
Another prison system
Another prison system
(For you and me)
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
For you and me
Oh baby, you and me
All research and successful drug policies show
That treatment should be increased
And law enforcement decreased
While abolishing
Mandatory minimum sentences
All research and successful drug policies show
That treatment should be increased
And law enforcement decreased
While abolishing
Mandatory minimum sentences
Utilizing drugs to pay for
Secret wars around the world
Drugs are now your global policy
Now you police the globe
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
Drug money is used to rig elections
And train brutal corporate sponsored
Dictators around the world
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(For you and me to live in)
Another prison system
Another prison system
Another prison system
(For you and me)
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
For you and me
Oh baby, you and me
The song "Prison Song" by System of a Down is a commentary on the flaws of the prison system in the United States. The song begins by stating that the government is trying to build more prisons to hold more people, which is then followed up by lyrics that seemingly criticize the government for its inaction in allowing drugs to become more prevalent in society. The lyrics then go on to suggest that minor drug offenses have become a major problem for the government, which leads to the incarceration of many individuals who do not belong in prison.
The song then shifts its focus to how the government is using taxpayers' money in order to fund their wars against so-called "non-rich" people. The singer then suggests that it is the poor who are being punished for their drug use, while the wealthy and powerful are left alone to do whatever they please. The lyrics conclude by suggesting that the government is using drug money to rig elections and train corporate-sponsored dictators around the world.
In summary, "Prison Song" is a critique of the prison-industrial complex in the United States, with the lyrics providing sharp commentary on the government's role in exacerbating drug addiction and incarceration.
Line by Line Meaning
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
Following the rights movements
After civil and human rights advancements were made
You clamped on with your iron fists
The ruling class used oppressive measures to maintain power
Drugs became conveniently
Substances of abuse became readily available
Available for all the kids
Young people were particularly susceptible to drug addiction
Following the rights movements
After civil and human rights advancements were made
You clamped on with your iron fists
The ruling class used oppressive measures to maintain power
Drugs became conveniently
Substances of abuse became readily available
Available for all the kids
Young people were particularly susceptible to drug addiction
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
I am a drug user and abusive partner
Right here in Hollywood
In this place of supposed glitz and glamour
Nearly two million Americans are incarcerated
A significant number of US citizens are currently in prison
In the prison system, prison system
Within the flawed American prison system
Prison system of the U.S.
The prison industrial complex within the United States
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
(For you and me to live in)
A prison that everyday people are likely to end up incarcerated in
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
(For you and me)
A prison that everyday people are likely to end up incarcerated in
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
The prison industrial complex disproportionately targets those guilty of drug offenses
You don't even flinch
The ruling class is indifferent to the suffering of those affected by the prison system
All our taxes paying for your wars
Ordinary citizens are funding conflicts waged by those in power
Against the new non-rich
The affluent elite are engaged in warfare targeting the poor and working classes
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
I am a drug user and abusive partner
Right here in Hollywood
In this place of supposed glitz and glamour
The percentage of Americans in the prison system
The proportion of US citizens locked up within the prison industrial complex
Prison system, has doubled since 1985
The rise in incarcerated individuals within the American prison system
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
(For you and me to live in)
A prison that everyday people are likely to end up incarcerated in
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
(For you and me)
A prison that everyday people are likely to end up incarcerated in
All research and successful drug policies show
Studies indicate effective treatment programs are superior to punitive measures
That treatment should be increased
A greater focus on rehabilitation should be implemented
And law enforcement decreased
The police state should be scaled back
While abolishing
In addition to reducing police control
Mandatory minimum sentences
The abhorrent practice of mandatory sentencing needs to be done away with
Utilizing drugs to pay for
Drugs are used as a means of financing
Secret wars around the world
Covert and often violent operations conducted globally
Drugs are now your global policy
Addiction and the drug trade are among America's primary means of exerting global power
Now you police the globe
The United States has become involved in dictating international law enforcement
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
I am a drug user and abusive partner
Right here in Hollywood
In this place of supposed glitz and glamour
Drug money is used to rig elections
World events impacted by illicit funds
And train brutal corporate sponsored
Oppressive rulers created by the powerful
Dictators around the world
Leaders installed by US-backed corporate interests in countries beyond American borders
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
(For you and me to live in)
A prison that everyday people are likely to end up incarcerated in
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
Another prison system
Another instance of the prison industrial complex
(For you and me)
A prison that everyday people are likely to end up incarcerated in
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
They're trying to build a prison
The powers that be are attempting to construct a penal facility
For you and me
We are all at risk of being caught up in the corruption of the prison industrial complex
Oh baby, you and me
Everyone worldwide is impacted by the actions of those with power
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DARON MALAKIAN, SHAVO ODADJIAN, JOHN DOLMAYAN, SERJ TANKIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind