This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
I'm gonna knock it down
Any way that I can
I'm gonna scream, I'm gonna yell
I don't want to have to use my hands
It's like screaming at a wall
Someday it's gonna fall
You built that wall up around you
And now you can't see out
And now you can't hear my words
No matter how loud I shout
It's like screaming at a wall
Someday it's gonna fall
You're safe inside and you know it
'Cause I can't get to you
And you know I resent it
Any way that I can
I'm gonna scream, I'm gonna yell
I don't want to have to use my hands
It's like screaming at a wall
Someday it's gonna fall
You built that wall up around you
And now you can't see out
And now you can't hear my words
No matter how loud I shout
It's like screaming at a wall
Someday it's gonna fall
You're safe inside and you know it
'Cause I can't get to you
And you know I resent it
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Screaming at a Wall Lyrics as written by Ian Mackaye Lyle Preslar
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i think that the wall is the defense or front that people put up and he's trying to get to the real person inside but he's built this wall up so much its impossible. and the "I don't wanna have to use my hands" is talking about nonviolent resolutions but "Someday I'm gonna use my hands." i agree with minorxxthreat though he is really pissed off. i get mad at people who have fronts like this.
Who's hiding? you'll never know...
The best Minor Threat song.
Fucking passionate.
i think its about trying to get the point across to someone who just wont listen, almost like the phrase "talking to the wind". and then you get pissed off because they totally disregaurd what you say.
this song makes me wanna scream at a wall.....
......hahaha
hes basically talking about how everyones so closeminded and they wont hear or understand wut the fuck he's sayin its like screamin at a wall someday they're all gonna fall
Mmmmmmmm...it appears the man can't do a damn thing and she's waving her finger in his face saying Eat Shit and Die, Jerk. Gotta love this song! Too bad the band didn't last.