Pay To Cum
Bad Brains
The Cost of Freedom: Analyzing Bad Brains' 'Pay To Cum'
Bad Brains' song 'Pay To Cum' is a powerful commentary on the societal and personal costs of freedom and self-expression. The lyrics delve into the idea that every action and choice in life comes with a price, whether it's the cost of creativity, participation, or even existence itself. The phrase 'pay to cum' is a provocative metaphor suggesting that even the most fundamental human experiences are not free from societal constraints and expectations.
The song's opening lines, 'I make decision with precision / Lost inside this manned collision,' reflect the internal struggle and the chaos of navigating a world where every decision has significant consequences. The repetition of 'pay to' in various contexts ('pay to write, pay to play, pay to cum, pay to fight') emphasizes the pervasive nature of these costs, suggesting that nothing in life is truly free. This theme is further reinforced by the lines 'And all in time / With just our minds / We soon will find / What's left behind,' which hint at the inevitable realization of these costs over time.
The latter part of the song shifts towards a call to action, urging listeners to fight for their rights and freedoms. 'The right to sing, the right to dance / The right is ours / We'll take the chance' is a rallying cry for self-expression and resistance against oppressive forces. The concluding lines, 'A peace together / A piece apart / A piece of wisdom / From our hearts,' suggest that true wisdom and peace come from understanding and embracing these struggles. Bad Brains, known for their fusion of punk rock and reggae, use their music to challenge societal norms and inspire change, making 'Pay To Cum' a timeless anthem of resistance and self-determination.