" Seized Up" by The self-murder Machines is a poignant and gritty punk gemstone hymn that delves deep into the harsh realities faced by individualities in the megacity of Detroit. The lyrics paint a pictorial picture of the struggles and rigors endured by ordinary people, particularly those caught in the grim cycle of blue- collar work and the profitable challenges of the Motor City.
[VERSE]
My friend Steve pissed away all his years
Cause he was slaving building cars
Blood and sweat upon the gears
All of his off time spent at the bar
Years and years of nothing but sorrow
I wonder how can he be content
Fucking just to wake up tomorrow
He'll do it all over again
Gonna wake up tomorrow and do it again
Explanation of Verse 1
The first verse introduces us to the character of Steve, who dedicates his life to laboring in auto manufactories, only to find himself trapped in a cycle of despair. The lyrics punctuate the risk of long hours and humdrum, questioning the fulfillment deduced from such a life.
[CHORUS]
On the streets of Detroit
On the streets of this town
All their dreams are destroyed
Once you're in you can never get out
Explanation of Chorus
The chorus captures the substance of the song, emphasizing the pervasive destruction of dreams within the megacity. The reiteration of" On the thoroughfares of Detroit" reinforces the theme, portraying a sense of ruse and forlornness that permeates the civic geography.
[VERSE]
See Reggie sleeps on Jefferson Avenue
On the courthouse heat exhausts
He's no different than me or you
In 1984 he got layed off
A motor city dead of we
Shared a joke and I gave him some change
Wonder is there a hope his future
I don't know I never saw him again
Don't think that I'll ever see him again
Explanation of Verse 2
Reggie, introduced in the alternate verse, symbolizes the broader struggle faced by Detroit's residers. The reference to layoffs in 1984 alludes to a literal environment, conceivably reflecting the profitable challenges faced by the megacity during that period.
[CHORUS]
On the streets of Detroit
On the streets of this town
All their dreams are destroyed
Once you're in you can never get out
Explanation of Chorus
The chorus captures the substance of the song, emphasizing the pervasive destruction of dreams within the megacity. The reiteration of" On the thoroughfares of Detroit" reinforces the theme, portraying a sense of ruse and forlornness that permeates the civic geography.
[BRIDGE]
Tons of casinos, miles and miles of factories thousand's of condemned homes, every corner there's churches and liquor stores all I need is a match and some gasoline
I'm gonna burn it down!
I'm gonna burn it down!
I'm gonna burn it down!
I'm gonna burn it down!
Explanation of Brigde
The ground paints a pictorial picture of Detroit's geography — pavilions, manufactories, condemned homes, churches, and liquor stores. The imagery is bleak, with the narrator expressing a desire for radical change, captured in the violent protestation," All I need is a match and some gasoline."
[VERSE]
My father put in his best year, yeah
Working for one of the big 3
Still remember my mother's tears
We're born to die in a factory
Coming home at dawn early break
See he's strung out from the late night shift
Pills and powder to stay awake
I see his bottles are empty again
Prescription bottles are empty again
Explanation of Verse 3
The third verse focuses on the narrator's father, who devoted his stylish times to working for one of the major automotive companies. The lyrics convey the risk of plant life, with a poignant citation of the mama 's gashes, emphasizing the generational impact of a life rooted in labor.
[CHORUS]
On the streets of Detroit
On the streets of this town
All their dreams are destroyed
Once you're in you can never get out
Explanation of Chorus
The chorus captures the substance of the song, emphasizing the pervasive destruction of dreams within the megacity. The reiteration of" On the thoroughfares of Detroit" reinforces the theme, portraying a sense of ruse and forlornness that permeates the civic geography.
[OUTRO]
On the streets of Detroit
On the streets of this town
All their dreams are destroyed
Once you're in you can never get out
Sometimes I want to burn it down
Explanation of Outro
The outro repeats the chorus, italicizing the necessary nature of the struggles faced by the individualities in the narrative. The intensity rises with the repeated protestation," occasionally I want to burn it down," expressing frustration and a desire for a radical bouleversement of the status quo.
OVERALL
" Seized Up" isn't just a song; it's a important social commentary on the challenges faced by the working class in a megacity deeply affected by profitable downturns. The narrative adroitly weaves particular stories into a broader disquisition of systemic issues, using punk gemstone as a medium to state the frustrations and jones of those floundering on the thoroughfares of Detroit.