Lyrics
They've been pulling bait and switch since I crawled in Huggies why
Reflects on a history of deceptive practices since childhood.
Since my mom, smoking cigs ditching class in junior high
Highlights the influence of a rebellious mother during school years.
Since my gramps in Korea, spires aimin' at the sky
References the grandfather's war experience, questioning the purpose.
Radio subversive, playing Gershwin, advertising time
Criticizes mainstream media for promoting contrasting ideologies.
Larger than life outsider, creates a cult around him
Describes an influential figure creating a devoted following.
Building a scapegoat ladder, steps on their backs for answers
Portrays the manipulation of others to climb the social ladder.
Critics are marked sore losers, when he becomes the winner
Labels critics as sore losers when the protagonist succeeds.
Destiny dreams salvations, raises his arm in celebration
Expresses a triumphant moment in pursuing one's destiny.
Same shit different toilet, same dog different fleas
Emphasizes the cyclical nature of problems in different contexts.
Bang the drum, call it change, but it ain't new to me
Rejects the notion of real change despite efforts to create it.
Same joke different ruse, same tool different screw
Mocks the repetition of deceptive tactics with different approaches.
New name same excuse
Highlights the persistence of using similar excuses under a new guise.
Don't let the long hair fool you, I still got a short fuse
Warns against underestimating someone based on appearance.
Piston driven fear, over and over and over
Describes a recurring cycle of fear-driven actions.
Damnit, look at the boogie-man jumping the border
Criticizes the scapegoating of certain groups, using the boogie-man metaphor.
Look at the boogie-man's culture, damaging savaging color
Comments on the damaging effects of stereotyping based on race.
Fight non-whiteness like this, right this, that's an order
Encourages fighting against racial bias and orders it as a duty.
Cuz you will march in place, when faith is no faith
Describes a sense of stagnation when faith is lost.
When fixtures have displaced you and you feel you're bout to break
Addresses displacement and the feeling of impending breakdown.
Then a firebrand man stands, simpler than the rest
Introduces a charismatic leader who simplifies complex issues.
The people's champ, ding ding ding, He'll make you whole again
Portrays the leader as a champion of the people.
Pick up your broken hearts he says and glue them back with hate
Encourages using hate to mend broken hearts, possibly a critique.
Pick up your broken hearts and we will make this country... great
Sarcastically connects hate to making the country great.
Same shit different toilet, Same dog different fleas
Reiterates the cyclical nature of problems, emphasizing similarity.
Bang the drum, call it change, but it ain't new to me
Rejects the authenticity of claimed change, seen as a familiar pattern.
Same joke different ruse, same tool different screw
Mocks the repetitive use of deceptive strategies with different tools.
New name same excuse
Stresses the recurrence of similar excuses under a new identity.
Don't let the long hair fool you, I still got a short fuse
Caution against underestimating based on appearances, specifically long hair.
Sounds familiar? Sounds familiar?
Prompting reflection on the familiarity of the described patterns.
Same shit different toilet, Same dog different fleas
Reiterates the cyclical nature of problems, emphasizing similarity.
Bang the drum, call it change, but it ain't new to me
Rejects the authenticity of claimed change, seen as a familiar pattern.
Same joke different ruse, same tool different screw
Mocks the repetitive use of deceptive strategies with different tools.
New name same excuse
Stresses the recurrence of similar excuses under a new identity.
Don't let the long hair fool you, I still got a short fuse
Caution against underestimating based on appearances, specifically long hair.
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