Surprised to see so many comments that the song is "against legalization." Couldn't be further from the truth.
The political argument here is that criminalization/prohibition has created a power void filled by dealers who become organized crime and purveyors of violence.
It can be confusing, I guess, because much of the first person perspective could be interpreted as singer (Phil) in a metal band who became a success despite his elders putting him down and not having any opportunities.
But the idea that this song is written mostly from the perspective of a criminal drug dealer directed at the police force and the government works throughout. The dealer is saying that the cops and government have created this problem because the draw of the illicit is so powerful, it even captures the cop's own son and daughter. Because the law prohibits the father cop from teaching and disciplining about drugs, with dope (marijuana) even illegal, the mob/dealer gets more power.
The political argument I interpret is that if marijuana (possibly more drugs) were legalized, it would remove the power of the dealer to operate in a criminal sphere, remove the taxes that saddle citizens to "pay a cop's paycheck" and allow the cop to be a father at home with drugs that definitely needs parenting. The cop's death was in vain and could have been prevented if weed was legal in the first place.
When the president succumbs to the terror that criminalization has brought on by literally having his hand cut off, then legalization would be inevitable.
In the last stanzas is where I believe Phil is making the point that musicians who generally all want the legalization of marijuana (mostly harmless) would be on the same side as the government who would be wholly controlled by the criminal superorganization. "there would not be a choice but to take our side"
I remember reading in maybe Thrasher in the 90s that Phil's father smoked pot with him the first time fishing when Phil was something like 12 or 13. His attitude about it was not "what a terrible father" but more along the lines of "I'm glad I wasn't so sheltered." It's been a long time since I read that so forgive me any foggy remembrance.
Moral of the story: stop giving the strength of drugs to crime, before it's too late.
@songmeaningstom well written, I believe the lyrics are wrong as well , he sings "progress to legalize", not "process to legalize" so,
Be there no question - that this song IS about legalization
@songmeaningstom well written, I believe the lyrics are wrong as well , he sings "progress to legalize", not "process to legalize" so,
Be there no question - that this song IS about legalization
Surprised to see so many comments that the song is "against legalization." Couldn't be further from the truth.
The political argument here is that criminalization/prohibition has created a power void filled by dealers who become organized crime and purveyors of violence.
It can be confusing, I guess, because much of the first person perspective could be interpreted as singer (Phil) in a metal band who became a success despite his elders putting him down and not having any opportunities.
But the idea that this song is written mostly from the perspective of a criminal drug dealer directed at the police force and the government works throughout. The dealer is saying that the cops and government have created this problem because the draw of the illicit is so powerful, it even captures the cop's own son and daughter. Because the law prohibits the father cop from teaching and disciplining about drugs, with dope (marijuana) even illegal, the mob/dealer gets more power.
The political argument I interpret is that if marijuana (possibly more drugs) were legalized, it would remove the power of the dealer to operate in a criminal sphere, remove the taxes that saddle citizens to "pay a cop's paycheck" and allow the cop to be a father at home with drugs that definitely needs parenting. The cop's death was in vain and could have been prevented if weed was legal in the first place.
When the president succumbs to the terror that criminalization has brought on by literally having his hand cut off, then legalization would be inevitable.
In the last stanzas is where I believe Phil is making the point that musicians who generally all want the legalization of marijuana (mostly harmless) would be on the same side as the government who would be wholly controlled by the criminal superorganization. "there would not be a choice but to take our side"
I remember reading in maybe Thrasher in the 90s that Phil's father smoked pot with him the first time fishing when Phil was something like 12 or 13. His attitude about it was not "what a terrible father" but more along the lines of "I'm glad I wasn't so sheltered." It's been a long time since I read that so forgive me any foggy remembrance.
Moral of the story: stop giving the strength of drugs to crime, before it's too late.
@songmeaningstom well written, I believe the lyrics are wrong as well , he sings "progress to legalize", not "process to legalize" so, Be there no question - that this song IS about legalization
@songmeaningstom well written, I believe the lyrics are wrong as well , he sings "progress to legalize", not "process to legalize" so, Be there no question - that this song IS about legalization