About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
Programmed Since Recess lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
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Intro
Chalk dust on the dreams in the back of the class, Bell rings early, tell us who we’re supposed to be fast. Five years old, name tag, stand in a line, They hand you a script before you finish your mind.
Verse 1
They said, “Sit still, raise your hand, don’t question the board,” Gold stars for repeatin’ every word they afford. If you different, they trim you till you fit in the frame, Call it normalcy, but it’s pressure with a prettier name. Teach you truth in bubbles, fill the sheet, don’t think, Ring the bell every hour so your focus don’t blink. Explain the whole world so you never assume, Lock curiosity up, call the cage a classroom.
Pre-chorus
If the answer’s already given, how you learn to decide? If they map every road, how you find what’s inside?
Chorus
Programmed since recess, lines on the mind, Told us who we are before we had time. Numbers on screens, self-worth in a check, Still got a pulse, still got a breath.
Verse 2
They confused the mirror, said the flesh was the flaw, Sold a scalpel as peace, said, “This happiness law.” Feed us idols with filters, plastic glow, So we hate our reflection every time we grow. News full of sirens, tragedy on repeat, Keep us scared of our neighbor, scared to meet. Say life’s random atoms, no reason, no why, So you don’t look up, just consume till you die.
Pre-chorus
If they tell you it’s over before you begin, Would you still fight the current you’re swimmin’ in?
Chorus
Programmed since recess, lines on the mind, Told us who we are before we had time. Numbers on screens, self-worth in a check, Still got a pulse, still got a breath.
Bridge 1
Two days of freedom, then back to the grind, Call it a weekend so you don’t mind. Poison in the cup, toast to survive, Disconnected together, just barely alive.
Verse 3
They made money the master, then tightened the gate, Tax every corner, call it help from the state. Cheap sugar calories, medicine when you’re sick, Treat the symptom daily, keep you paying for it. Divide us by labels, blame groups for the pain, So we fight each other, never question the game. But I see through the static, hear the truth in the noise, System scared of awakened daughters and boys.
Chorus
Programmed since recess, lines on the mind, Told us who we are before we had time. Break from the script, disconnect the threat, You still got a soul they ain’t measured yet.
Bridge 2
You’re not the glitch, you’re the update they fear, When you think for yourself, vision get clear. Purpose ain’t random, it breathes when you choose, Every chain in the system starts shakinin’ loose.
Chorus
Programmed since recess, now we redefine, Unlearn the cage, let the spirit align. More than the numbers, more than the stress, They can’t own a mind that won’t say yes.
Outro
Bell don’t ring when you wake yourself up, Lesson ain’t over, look up. Truth don’t shout, it patiently waits, Freedom starts when you educate.
Inside the recording
Chalk dust on the dreams in the back of the class, Bell rings early, tell us who we’re supposed to be fast.
If the answer’s already given, how you learn to decide? If they map every road, how you find what’s inside?
Bell don’t ring when you wake yourself up, Lesson ain’t over, look up.
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.