Trouble travels fast
When you're specially designed for crash testing
Or wearing wool sunglasses in the afternoon
Come on and tell us what you're trying to prove

'Cause it's a battle when you dabble in war
You store it up, unleash it, then you piece it together
Whether the storm drain running rampant just stamp it
And send it to somebody who's pretending to care

Just cash in your blanks for little toy tanks
Learn how to use them, then abuse them and choose them
Over conversations relationships are overrated
I hated everyone said the sun

And so I will cook all your books
You're too good looking and mistooken
You could watch it instead
From the comfort of your burning beds
Or you can sleep through the static

Who needs sleep when we've got love?
Who needs keys when we've got clubs?
Who needs please when we've got guns?
Who needs peace when we've gone above
But beyond where we should have gone?
We went beyond where we should have gone

Stuck between channels my thoughts all quit
I thought about them too much, allowed them to touch
The feelings that rained down on the plains all dried and cracked
Waiting for things that never came

Shock and awful thing to make somebody think
That they have to choose pushing for peace supporting the troops
And either you're weak or you'll use brut force-feed the truth
The truth is we say not as we do

We say anytime, anywhere, just show your teeth and strike the fear
Of god wears camouflage, cries at night and drives a dodge
Pick up the beat and stop hogging the feast
That's no way to treat an enemy

Well mighty mighty appetite
We just eat 'em up and keep on driving
Freedom can be freezing take a picture from the pretty side
Mind your manners wave your banners
What a wonderful world that this angle can see

But who needs to see what we've done?
Who needs please when we've got guns?
Who needs keys when we've got clubs?
Who needs peace when we've gone above
But beyond where we should have gone?
Beyond where we should have gone
We went beyond where we should have gone
Beyond where we should have gone


Lyrics submitted by bobbyg1124

Sleep Through the Static Lyrics as written by Jack Hody Johnson

Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

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Sleep Through the Static song meanings
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    General Comment

    I have been a fan of Jack's music for some time. I purchased four CD's of music and as I listened to them, I noticed a specific theme to his work. He is that singer-songwriter vein of old. I hear the anti-war in this song and it parallels other songs like "Times Like These", "Cookie Jar" and "Good People". Jack, I think, sees humanity as basically good as his catalogue of music is not completely depressing. I think he sees humankind as capable of doing great acts of good as well as evil. That's at least how I see Jack Johnson's music. This particular song is a great example of his prowess with words.

    OpinionHeadon September 22, 2009   Link

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