Lyrical Breakdown of Shut Em Down - A Journey through Words and Rhymes

Welcome to the detailed analysis of "Shut Em Down" on Lazyjot. Here, we unravel the lyrical complexity and artistic brilliance that define this iconic song.

  • Lyric Overview: Witness how Public Enemy weaves words into powerful emotions and vivid imagery. From intricate rhyme schemes to compelling storytelling, every line in "Shut Em Down" is a testament to masterful songwriting.
  • Rhyme and Rhythm Analysis: Our Lazyjot editor highlights the ingenious use of multi-syllabic rhymes and the rhythm pattern that Public Enemy employs. Understand the construction of each verse and how it contributes to the song's overall impact.
  • Syllable Pattern Insights: Dive deeper into the structural elements of the lyrics. See how the syllable count varies across the song, adding a unique rhythm and flow to Public Enemy's narrative.

This lyrical analysis of "Shut Em Down" not only celebrates Public Enemy's artistic prowess but also serves as an educational tool for aspiring songwriters. If this analysis inspires you and you'd like to see your own songs analyzed in this way, join the Lazyjot community. Register at Lazyjot and start exploring the full potential of your lyrical creativity. Turn your thoughts into rhymes and your rhymes into songs with Lazyjot!

Hold it, now

Come on, come on

All right, y'all

I testified, my mama cried

Black people died when the other man lied

See the TV, listen to me, double trouble

I overhaul and I'm coming from the lower level

I'm taking tabs, sure enough, stuff to grab

Like shirts and it hurts with a neck to wreck

Took a poll 'cause our soul took a toll

From the education of a TV station

But look around, here go the sound of the wrecking ball

Boom and pound when I shut 'em down

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

Come on

All right

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine

What I use in a battle for the mind

Hit it hard like you're suppose

Pull no blows to the nose

Like Uncle L said, I'm rippin' up shows

Paying what it is is only five percent of the biz

I'm adding woes, that's the way it goes

Then you think I rank I never drank, point blank

I own loans, suckers got me running from the bank

Civil liberty, I can't see to pay a fee

I never saw a way to pay a sap to read the law

Then become a victim of a lawyer

Don't know ya, never saw ya

Tape cued, getting me sued

Playing games with my head, what the judge said

Put me in the red, got me thinking 'bout a trigger to the leg

No, no, my educated mind say

Suckers gonna pay anyway, there gonna be a day

'Cause the troop they roll in

The posse up whole from the ground

Ready to go, throw another round

Sick of the ride, it's suicide for the other side of town

When I find a way to shut 'em down

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

Hold it

Come on

All right, y'all

Alright, y'all

Come on, now

Hey

Who count the money in the neighborhood?

But we spending money to no end, looking for a friend

In a war to the core, ripping up the poor in the stores

Until they get a brother kicking down doors

Then I figure I can get bigger, look 'em dead in the eye

And they wince, defense is pressurized

They don't really want it to be another racial attack in disguise

So give some money back

I like Nike, but wait a minute

The neighborhood supports, so put some money in it

All corporations owe, they gotta give up the dough

To my town or else we gotta shut 'em down

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

I shut 'em down

(Shut 'em down, shut 'em, shut 'em down)

All right, y'all, one more time, here we go again

All right, come on

Uh, get down, hold it, come on

Wait a minute now

Huh

Hey, hey, hey

Yeah, yeah, I know you got soul

Pump the beat, pump the beat

The fall beat, y'all

Uh, bring it low, bring it low, bring it low, y'all

Howdy, y'all

This is Bernie Crosshouse, yours truly of the KKK.

I'd like to express our deepest gratitude at the destruction of the inferior nigger race

And I'm especially pleased to report it's destroyin' itself without our help

To all you gangs, hoodlums, drug pushers and users

And other worthless niggers killin' each other

We'd like to thank y'all for savin' us the time, trouble and legality

For the final chapter of riddin' y'all off the face of the Earth

Your solution to our problem is greatly appreciated

So keep selling us your soul

Thank you