Hey brother christian with your high and mighty errand
Your actions speak so loud I can't hear a word you're saying
Hey sister bleeding heart with all of your compassion
Your labors soothe the hurt but can't assuage temptation

Hey man of science with your perfect rules of measure
Can you improve this place with the data that you gather
Hey mother mercy can your loins bear fruit forever?
Is your fecundity a trammel or a treasure?

I want to conquer the world
Give all the idiots a brand new religion
Put an end to poverty, uncleanliness and toil
Promote equality in all of my decisions
With a quick wink of the eye and a "god you must be joking!"

Hey mister diplomat with your worldly aspirations
Did you see your children cry when you left them at the station?
Hey moral soldier you've got righteous proclamation
And precious tomes to fuel your pulpy conflagrations

I want to conquer the world
Expose the culprits and feed them to the children
I'll do away with air pollution
And then I'll save the whales
We'll have peace on earth
And global communion


Lyrics submitted by oofus, edited by Mellow_Harsher

I Want to Conquer the World Lyrics as written by Brett Gurewitz

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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I Want to Conquer the World song meanings
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63 Comments

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  • +9
    General Comment
    This song is what, 22 years old now? More? How old are you people who can't write a single literate sentence to discuss it? Can't you find some newer music to prattle on about? Cultural history lesson: "Saving the whales" is a term applied to the foolish pursuits of bleeding-heart do-gooders who think they can "conquer the world," "improve this place," etc. It is a clue that at least some of the content of the song is ironic. (Simple definition of irony: when you say something but mean the opposite.) More irony: "give all the idiots a brand-new religion." Do you think Bad Religion the band would consider a new religion of any stripe to be a good thing? So is B.R. saying they don't care what happens? Not at all. They're criticizing the messianic complexes held by a) Christians, b) liberal do-gooders (Sister Bleeding Heart could also apply to a nun or Catholic charity worker, i.e., Mother Teresa type,) c) rationalists who have faith in science and technology, d)not sure who exactly "Mother Mercy" with her fecund loins represents, e) diplomats and government types, f) probably right-wing "moral soldiers." That is, the song addresses a wide gamut, including non-religious people. The basic meaning is that no matter who you are or what you believe or how smart you think you are, you're and idiot and an asshole if you think you have the answers to all the world's problems.
    Spinxison July 29, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I love this song. It really says alot to me about what's wrong with politics and religion in the world.
    Sasquatchon January 25, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    yeah...they aren't some little morons who have a problem with everyone for no reason. These guys are brilliant and , franky, fucking right.
    Luminaireon April 18, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    the glowing? has bad religion ever said that that is what this song is about? it seems pretty clear that it is not about that to me.
    soowton June 30, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i think he is using sarcasim....from governments point of view....like what the presidents "say" they will do for our "great" nation but just want complete control....just giving the idiots a brand new religion....hes mimicing them.....being what he despises....but also saying what he truly feels....but he is aware that the human instinct of GREED will kick in once they obtain.....
    darkfox89on January 27, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I believe the quote by Lord Acton is a great way to describe this song: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Basically, the song is sung from some one who is not in power, therefore, he has the best of intentions if he were given that authority - he'd save the wales, and create peace on earth. Unfortunately, when someone DOES have that power, they don't waste their time helping the greater good or doing those things they promise. I believe the song is quite a satire on Political races. The canidates will say what everone wants to hear, but never actually do those things, had they the power.
    duffdrinkinhomeron November 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Bad Religion simply kicks ass, very intelligent lyrics that make you think about the world we live in.
    Vash T. Stampedeon April 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is so awesome! It's one of my fav. Bad Religoin songs. These guys kick ass!
    saves_the_day_girlon May 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    As others have said, thought-provoking lyrics. Also, makes me want to get up and DO something about all the problems, since the simple solutions sometimes are lost in red tape, I think..
    Akanaon May 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    yeah this song kicks ass and damn do they use words that are so damn descriptive soo intelligent and all those things said in that song are true which is important needless to say
    Tsd8kon June 19, 2002   Link

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