its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
[Intro]
Don't let the bastards grind you down
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
[Verse 1]
Up down, turn around, give a little more
Inside, outside, knocking on my door
I don't need no preacher man telling me what to do
All I want is to live my life, the rest is up to you
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
[Verse 2]
Primetime, my time, take it on the run
Place your bets, get set, have yourself some fun
Look into my crystal ball, I'll tell you what's in store
Another rich man getting fat, taking from the poor
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Come on down, hang around, feel like number one
Pump and grind, stand in line, the show has just begun
Don't be fooled by what you see, nothing's ever free
Everyone must pay the price, they're just like you and me
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
But don't let the bastards grind you down, yeah
Don't let the bastards grind you down
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
[Verse 1]
Up down, turn around, give a little more
Inside, outside, knocking on my door
I don't need no preacher man telling me what to do
All I want is to live my life, the rest is up to you
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
[Verse 2]
Primetime, my time, take it on the run
Place your bets, get set, have yourself some fun
Look into my crystal ball, I'll tell you what's in store
Another rich man getting fat, taking from the poor
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Come on down, hang around, feel like number one
Pump and grind, stand in line, the show has just begun
Don't be fooled by what you see, nothing's ever free
Everyone must pay the price, they're just like you and me
[Chorus]
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
Don't let them ever grind you down
Get on top, keep it up
But don't let the bastards grind you down, yeah
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Kingofstilport
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Siberian Kiss
Glassjaw
Glassjaw
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Grand Theft Auto
Insane Ian
Insane Ian
The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
This song is a celebration of strength, individuality, and the refusal to be oppressed, portraying the rebellion against societal norms and injustices, advocating for a steadfast attitude in the face of challenges. Ultimately, the song encourages listeners to stand tall, be true to themselves, and not let anyone dampen their spirit or grind them down.