Institutionalized

About Institutionalized

"Institutionalized" is a song by American crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies. It was released in 1983 as the only single from their debut album, Suicidal Tendencies. "Institutionalized" is one of the band's most popular songs and has remained a live staple since it was first played in 1982. The song was re-recorded on the band's 1993 album Still Cyco After All These Years; this version was nominated for the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1994, but lost to Ozzy Osbourne's live version of "I Don't Want to Change the World". The original version of the song was featured on the long-out of print compilation album F. N. G., while the Still Cyco After All These Years version appears on Prime Cuts and Playlist: The Very Best of Suicidal Tendencies, which was not endorsed by the band. The song was also included in the 12-inch EP Institutionalised, which was released exclusively in the UK in 1988 after Suicidal Tendencies had risen in popularity. more »

Year:

1983

3:49

1,023 Views

Playlists:

#4

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Sometimes I try to do things and it just doesn't work out the way I wanted too
And I get real frustrated, and its like
And I try hard to do it and take my time
And it just doesn't work out the way I want it too
It's like I concentrate on it real hard but it just doesn't work out
And everything I do and everything I try, it never turns out
It's like I need time to figure these things out
But there's always someone there going

Hey Mike: You know we've been noticing you've been having a lot of problems lately
You know, maybe you get away, and like maybe you should talk about it,
You'll feel a lot better

And I go: No it's okay, you know I'll figure it out
Just leave me alone I'll figure it out
You know I'll just work it on myself,

And they go: Well you know if you want to talk about it I'll be here, you know
And you'll probably feel a lot better if you talk about it, so want don't you talk about it

And I go: No I don't want to, I'm okay, I'll figure it out myself
And they just keep bugging me and they just keep bugging me
And it builds up inside

So you're gonna be institutionalized
You'll come out brainwashed with bloodshot eyes
You won't have any say
They'll brainwash you until you see their way

I'm not crazy - institution
You're the one who's crazy - institution
You're driving me crazy - institution
They stuck me in an institution
Said it was the only solution
To give me the needed professional help
To protect me from the enemy - myself

I was in my room and I was just like staring at the wall thinking about everything
But then again I was thinking about nothing
And then my mom came in and I didn't even know she was there she called my name
And I didn't even hear it, and then she started screaming: MIKE! MIKE!
And I go: What, what's the matter?
And she goes: What's the matter with you?
I go: There's nothing wrong mom
And she goes: Don't tell me that, you're on drugs!
And I go: No mom I'm not on drugs I'm okay, I was just thinking you know,
Why don't you get me a Pepsi
And she goes: No you're on drugs!
I go: Mom I'm okay, I'm just thinking
She goes: No you're not thinking, you're on drugs! Normal people don't act that way!
I go: Mom just give me a Pepsi, please
All I want is a Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me
All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me
Just a Pepsi

They give you a white shirt with long sleeves
Tied around you're back, you're treated like thieves
Drug you up because they're lazy
It's too much work to help a crazy

I'm not crazy - institution
You're the one who's crazy - institution
You're driving me crazy - institution
They stuck me in an institution
Said it was the only solution
To give me the needed professional help
To protect me from the enemy - myself

I was sitting in my room and my mom and my dad came in
And they pulled up a chair and they sat down, they go:
Mike, we need to talk to you
And I go: Okay what's the matter
They go:
Me and your mom have been noticing lately that you've been having a lot of problems,
You've been going off for no reason and we're afraid you're gonna hurt somebody,
We're afraid you're gonna hurt yourself
So we decided that it would be in your interest if we put you somewhere
Where you could get the help that you need
And I go: Wait, what are you talking about, we decided!?
My best interest?! How do you know what's my best interest is?
How can you say what my best interest is? What are you trying to say, I'm crazy?
When I went to your schools, I went to your churches,
I went to your institutional learning facilities?! So how can you say I'm crazy?

They say they're gonna fix my brain
Alleviate my suffering and my pain
But by the time they fix my head
Mentally I'll be dead

I'm not crazy - institution
You're the one who's crazy - institution
You're driving me crazy - institution
They stuck me in an institution
Said it was the only solution
To give me the needed professional help
To protect me from the enemy - myself

It doesn't matter, I'll probably get hit by a car anyway

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Suicidal Tendencies

Suicidal Tendencies is an American crossover metal band founded in 1981 in Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band has been credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash". To date, Suicidal Tendencies have released eight studio albums, one EP, four split albums including the rare "Welcome to Venice", six compilation albums (one of which is a "double-EP", while the other is a re-recording of their debut album), and two long-form videos. Other than a small selection of new and previously unreleased songs on the split/compilation albums Friends & Family, Vol. 2 (2001), Year of the Cycos (2008), No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family (2010) and The Mad Mad Muir Musical Tour (2011), Suicidal Tendencies have releas… more »

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