Institutionalized
Suicidal Tendencies
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Sometimes I try to do things and it just doesn't work out the way I wanted too I get real frustrated, and its like And I try hard to 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 works 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 like, maybe you should 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 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 can 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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Written by: Louis Mayorga, Mike Muir
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Album Release"Institutionalized" is a song by American hardcore punk band Suicidal Tendencies. It was released in their debut, self-titled album in 1983.
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GenreThe song is one of the most well-known examples of 1980s hardcore punk and crossover thrash.
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Chart PositionDespite not charting on Billboard, the song gained heavy airplay on both college radio and MTV, contributing to Suicidal Tendencies's reputation as one of the leading bands in hardcore punk at the time.
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Video RecognitionIts music video was one of the first hardcore punk videos to receive substantial airplay on MTV.
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Grammy Nomination"Institutionalized" has been covered by several artists and was nominated for a Grammy in 1994 for best metal performance.
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LyricsThe song is known for its distinctive, ranting style lyrics about teenage angst and parental misunderstanding. It used monologues to narrate the feelings of being misunderstood and frustrated teenager.
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In Popular CultureIt has been featured in several films and video games, most notably in the 1988 film 'Iron Man' and the 2004 video game 'Tony Hawk's Underground.'
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Song Re-recordingThe band re-recorded the song for their 1993 album, ‘Still Cyco After All These Years’.
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Band Recognition"Institutionalized" is likely the band's most popular song, and has helped establish Suicidal Tendencies as one of the most influential crossover thrash bands.
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Different VersionsTwo different versions of the song exist. The later version, appeared on the band's 'Still Cyco After All These Years' album, contains a slightly different set of lyrics.
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Usage RightsIn 2021, the rights to use "Institutionalized" were purchased by the skateboard shoe company Vans for advertising purposes.
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Citation
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