This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Can't you see I'm easily bothered by persistence?
One step from lashing out at you
You want in, to get under my skin and call yourself a friend
I've got more friends like you, what do I do?
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
Run your mouth when I'm not around, it's easy to achieve
You cry to weak friends that sympathize
Can you hear the violins playing your song?
Those same friends tell me your every word
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk, are you talkin' to me?
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
No way, punk
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk, are you talkin' to me?
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
Walk on home, boy
One step from lashing out at you
You want in, to get under my skin and call yourself a friend
I've got more friends like you, what do I do?
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
Run your mouth when I'm not around, it's easy to achieve
You cry to weak friends that sympathize
Can you hear the violins playing your song?
Those same friends tell me your every word
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk, are you talkin' to me?
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
No way, punk
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk, are you talkin' to me?
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
Walk on home, boy
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Great version of a great song,
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This is the song that gave me back my confidence and self belief. For the years I was at high school I suffered at the hands of bullies who wripped my confidence to shreds and left me in tatters. They basically chewed me up and spat me back out. This song is about attitude and self belief. I got into the metal scene and found an outlet and music I loved. Far from being the victim, I became the victor, this song was my anthem. I forgot all about the bullies and their cruel taunts, I became the person who I am now.
"Can't you see I'm easily bothered by persistence One step from lashing out at you..."
I was bothered by the persistence of the bullies and I was literally ready to lash out at them...
"You want in to get under my skin And call yourself a friend"
They tried to be my friends just so they could wrip me to shreads, just to get under my skin.
"I've got more friends like you What do I do?"
Every friend I had was like them, only my friend on the surface, simply because they were not on my wavelength.
"Is there no standard anymore? What it takes, who I am, where I've been Belong"
There were no standards, the bullies had no standards! I wondered who I was and I tried to "belong", but just didn't.
"You can't be something you're not Be yourself, by yourself Stay away from me a lesson learned in life Known from the dawn of time"
Music became my outlet and helped me make new friends who were "different" just like me. I found I could only be myself and developed the confidence to say I liked myself and ask the bullies to "stay away from me".
"Run your mouth when I'm not around It's easy to achieve You cry to weak friends that sympathize"
This is EXACTLY what they were like, they would spread all sorts behind my back when I wasn't around. They had these shallow friends who were their sympathisers and joined in. They were the weak ones, not me. The violins symbolies how discordant their lives were!
"Those same friends tell me your every word" The bully's so called friends ended up grassing them up to me.
RESPECT, WALK, WHAT DO YOU SAY!
Classic line repeated over and over to myself, my confidene, my spirt was never broken by them.
Now whenever I go to a club I always shout the words as if they were my own. I have a boyfriend who is as nuts and metal loving as I am and I am starting my Masters degree. More than these shallow people will ever have in their pitiful existences.
I won RIP DIME!
Shoo shoo,<br /> <br /> I liked your reply and think you get the song on a deep level. I would like to add my thoughts.<br /> <br /> The term respect is quite perplexing to me and I wonder if it also was to the author of the song. Respect means that we should not verbally, physically, or emotionally crush someone, even if we think they are "wrong."<br /> <br /> I think that the author is talking about "false respect." I think he is talking about those who claim to "respect" him, but who actually are trying to change him with their constant persuasion: "Can you see I'm easily bothered by persistence."<br /> <br /> Respect is when you don't try to change someone and you see good in them. It is when you truly sympathize with them and you truly love them for who they are. It is important for people who feel unloved to first "accept who they are" and to love themselves; this is the common advice of therapists: "You can't be something you're not, be yourself."<br /> <br /> The genius of the song is that the author claims that when he is himself and accepts himself, then he gets a message from these so-called sympathizers or so-called friends, that he is not good enough. In other words, these false sympathizers listen to his story, pretend to respect and accept him for who he is, yet in the end he is left in isolation because they are not true friends. Therefore, the author is receiving a message from these people that "respect" equals "alone," or at least the type of "respect" that his "sympathizers" act out.<br /> <br /> I think the author wants to "be himself" and still be accepted, rather than having "be yourself" be equal to "be[ing] alone."<br /> <br /> Respect should not mean "walk." It should not mean loneliness and isolation, yet the fact is that those who preach respect to the author have essentially told him to walk.<br /> <br /> That's what this song means to me.
@shoo_shoo thank you for your reaction. it really helped me fully grasp and understand a line or two.
Actually beans, as any good Pantera fan would know (and I'm sure you are aware of this) Pantera has four albums out before Cowboys from Hell. Phil was only on the last one (called Power Metal) right before CFH. The other three (I am the Night, Projects in the Jungle, and Metal Magic) featured a singer named Terry Glaze, who helped form the band with Vinne, Dime, and Rex in '83..... Just a bit of info for you all.
to me this song is about dealing with people who are fake they are pretending to be something they aren't Trying way to hard to make it look like they are your friend and then they turn around and say shit behind your back... and how they aren't going to take that persons crap!!! it is an awsome song and it is sooo real and true people should really learn something from this song!~!!
I coulnt agree more Walk is about some douch talkin shit behind ur back n u callin him on it. Fuk u back talkin pussys im 1 step from lashig out at u!
Who the hell is rvd?
I know, WTH???
Songs kicks fucking ass. Blast it everytime I play it in my truck.
Phil kicked my ass. I've pissed into a bag ever since. I think it was worth it.
This is one of the best fucking songs Pantera have ever done. Phil Anselmo rocks! The Vulgar Display Of Power is also one of the worlds best records i think it totally fuck you up, like, i got to bang my head to this!
Dimebag came up with the main riff while warming up for a show while Vinnie started tapping the beat on the wall. They were taping all of it for a home video so they were able to remember the riff.
the last amazing guitarist dead
RIP DIMEBAG
Happy to find a fan of Pantera and Nirvana! may be you too adore Death and Dire straits's music, I 'm a big fan of these 4 giant bands.<br /> <br /> RIP Darrell<br /> Fucking amazing group!<br /> listening to PANTERA and DEATH's music, is a fucking awesome cure ever created in this fucking world.<br /> <br /> Cheers from Tunisia!
wooooooooow, this song jus makes me wanna march around on stage phil anselmo stlye, and walk up to someone and fuckin knock em da fuck out