You Can’t Win (by Tomahawk)

if you wanna bleed, then come along with me
we’re only half-breeds, but we’ll be home-free
so mark your territory, ‘cuz it’s on

put your badge on, we gotta mow ’em down
we got a feelin’.. it’s even breathin’
we know how cheap our freedom is..

put on my best white shirt, walkin’ down the street like a speed ball
purrin’ like a cat out on early parole
well I ain’t takin’ no more, cuz it’s on

and every power abused, and every item consumed, now it’s on
‘cuz it’s on
the laws of history, they’re puttin’ me on, cuz they’re clear, cuz it’s on
and it’s on..

we are the police, and now we’re gonna start a riot
now you’ll see just how we’re gonna start a riot
we are the police, and now we’re gonna start a riot..

don’t know where to begin, it’s all over again, and it’s on
it’s on
and if you think you’re free, then you better believe that it’s on
and it’s on..
and we’ll drink anything if it burns and it’s strong, ‘cuz it’s on
and it’s on..
and the crap of the cream ain’t gonna fuck with me, ‘cuz it’s on
and it’s on..

and we ain’t gonna propagate for you, ‘cuz it’s on
and it’s on..
they’re gonna quit makin’ money ’till we’re taken care of, ‘cuz it’s on
and it’s on..

we are the police, and now we’re gonna start a riot
saw it on TV, and now we’re gonna start a riot
we are the police, and now we’re gonna start a riot
saw it on TV, and now we’re gonna start a riot..

The title of this song really says a lot. “You can’t win” basically means that as long as monetary system is in place, you can’t “fight the power” and win: you can only trade places with those who are currently in power. The song is, on the one hand, a satirical presentation/analysis of an Alex Jones-style ‘Info Warrior’ (for lack of a non-sickening term). The words are mostly spoken by someone who is pissed off that the New World Order is here. But their only answer is to join some activist group, protest/terrorize/whatever, and eventually trade places with those in power (e.g. “we are the police, and now we’re gonna start a riot”).

On the other hand, the lyrics are also indicative of a voice coming from a higher state of consciousness.. a voice that represents *both* the Info Warrior and those people who are currently in power. It’s as if the voice is observing the Info Warrior from above and is casting judgement on him, but is also relating to him at the same time. For example, the voice calls himself (and those he’s preaching to) a “half-breed“, like a eugenicist might describe the average citizen. He also talks about getting the idea of starting a riot/protest from the TV.. again, as if to devalue the idea and show how silly it is. Yet, the same voice talks about the abuse of power, and how the masses should stop propagating the false idea that we need money to live.

So it’s like a weird duality being represented in these lyrics. The voice relates to the Info Warrior’s feelings of disgust with the NWO, and how anger can be strengthening and constructive in a way. But it also recognizes that the monetary system is the overriding issue, and no amount of protest or anger will likely stop it. It’s like the narrator knows he’s being silly/naive/short-sighted but can’t let go of the strong feelings that distract him from seeing the bigger picture and a better solution.. kinda like the general human condition, wouldn’t you say?