There was a boy who had too many toys
And an ache inside of his bones
He sought extrication through chemical vocation
And now he answers to Jones

It's deadly and alluring
The sound of pounding heat
Enslaving all who dare succumb
To the temptations of the forbidden beat

Thinking today of what I want to say
Thinking of inhibition and vice
What they call straight I do relegate
As I cautiously saltate along

It thunders away at first light of each day
And the simpleton lifestyle evolves
But soon enters dusk as the last surrey rusts
And a new day, upon us, results


Lyrics submitted by oofus

Forbidden Beat Lyrics as written by Brett Gurewitz

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Forbidden Beat song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    I'm gonna just translate the verses into what I think they literally say; and then supply what I think they mean: Verse 1: "There was a person who was bored with his surroundings, and wanted something different. He tried to escape these surroundings through drugs, and now he is dead." - obvious clear-cut meaning in my opinion. "Forbidden Beat" is a clever bit of symbolism that refers to practically anything addictive, dangerous, and frowned on by the masses. It could indeed refer to sex, but probably less masturbation and more prostitution. And it could refer to the punk scene as well, which can easily be dangerous if you wander into a club lorded over by any kind of gang. ( Looking at the Circle One, Nazis, and Straight Edge type jackoffs here. ) Verse 2: "Thinking about the modern world, considering people's fears and addictions; what they call normal, I disagree with/dismiss, from observations I make through my life." In other words, he's saying that people put up a judgmental front, and turn around and either indulge their own vices, or the very same ones that they deny. It could also be a double meaning, saying he actually philosophically disagrees with what people say is normal behavior. There's room for it to be one or the other; but my money is on the double meaning. At any rate, very good writing. Verse 3: "The status quo is maintained every day by the masses, but when night falls they all turn to their own secret lives/selves." "A new day upon us results." = shedding light on what these people really are beneath their status-quo front. The lyrics are vague enough that they could be referring to anything that people do in this way. That's what I get out of this. Who knows, I could be stupidly off the mark. =P
    Abortedlordon December 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Imbeciles. This song is about being caught up in routines that "enslave" people through their temptations.
    Propagandhiciouson February 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    It almost seems like it's talking about drugs, what with the "chemical vocation" line, but the rest of the song seems to suggest that following along with the usual practices of society that weigh people down.
    Lightning.Jon August 30, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    Okay... Maybe I'm crazy & imagining things but can someone tell me if this song is about masturbation??? If it is, pm me, thanks. *Feels stupid*
    walking-catastropheon May 12, 2002   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    i doubt it man...
    lilcrowon May 18, 2004   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    it kinda sounds like it is about masturbation, but i dont think Bad Religion would do a song about spanking the monkey, lol
    gofuckyourselfon December 22, 2004   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    No, it's about the awesomeness and insanity in underground punk rock shows.
    gofuckyourselfon March 03, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    no Im pretty sure its about jacking it however I know it really isnt, its just about the pounding heat and andrenaline of the reveling we do But actually no, Im pretty damm sure its about jacking off.
    pinkfadeon October 25, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    i think it's about both masturbation and the general insanity of punk shows; or at least, it's about that air that both have, the inevitable air of "this is good and shouldn't stop and fuck everything else". It's a happy enslavement.
    shokwaveon January 05, 2009   Link

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