Open Up

Album: Who Are We Living For? (1997)
Play Video
  • They were looking for me when I came to
    They were looking for me when I came back
    Said "Hey you, you're looking very suspicious"
    I said "Relax, man, get off my back"
    I said "Relax, man, get off my back"
    I, I, I ain't opposed to seeking justice
    But you're going about it all wrong
    The man you're looking for does not exist
    He's just a figment of the higher man's tongue

    And they say "Open up, we're coming inside
    You can't run so you may as well hide
    We got the place covered from head to toe
    Head to toe
    Open up, we're coming inside
    What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
    On the other side of the road
    On the other side of the road
    On the other side of the road"

    Yeah so they took me down to the gallows
    And this boy, he say to me
    "Why do you smile when the rope's around your neck"
    I say "I'll tell you boy when I get back"
    I say "I'll tell you boy when I get back"

    I, I, I ain't opposed to seeking justice
    But you're going about it all wrong
    The man you're looking for does not exist
    He's just a figment of the higher man's tongue
    He's just a victim of the higher man's song

    And they say open up, we're coming inside
    You can't run so you may as well hide
    We got the place covered from head to toe
    Head to toe
    Open up, we're coming inside
    What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
    On the other side of the road
    On the other side of the road
    On the other side of the... road

    Hands above your head
    Que la vie bien
    Step out of line and we'll fill you with lead

    How are we to know that you are not a liar, hey
    Don't you see we have a job to do
    And our job is the law
    Job is the law
    You fit the description of a criminal crosser, hey
    We believe that he is you and that is your flaw
    That is your flaw
    That is your flaw
    That is your flaw
    That is your flaw

    And they say open up, we're coming inside
    You can't run so you may as well hide
    We got the place covered from head to toe
    Head to toe
    Open up, we're coming inside
    What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
    On the other side of the road
    On the other side of the road
    On the other side of the road
    On the other side of the road Writer/s: CHARLES JOSEPH
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Benjamin from Beijing,I think it has to do with corrupt justice and politics anywhere...Although South America does fit with the song more than anywhere else I can think of. The message here is similar to what Ruben Blades puts out, mostly telling stories from different points of view about how politics work in South and Central America. One of his songs that had the biggest impact on me is about how people get "disappeared". Anyway...great song.
  • Benjamin from Beijing,I think it has to do with corrupt justice and politics anywhere...Although South America does fit with the song more than anywhere else I can think of. The message here is similar to what Ruben Blades puts out, mostly telling stories from different points of view about how politics work in South and Central America. One of his songs that had the biggest impact on me is about how people get "disappeared". Anyway...great song.
  • Benjamin from Beijing,I think it has to do with corrupt justice and politics anywhere...Although South America does fit with the song more than anywhere else I can think of. The message here is similar to what Ruben Blades puts out, mostly telling stories from different points of view about how politics work in South and Central America. One of his songs that had the biggest impact on me is about how people get "disappeared". Anyway...great song.
  • Brian from Pittsburgh, PaThe song reminds me very much of the Australian Ned Kelly. The Bushranger who was a folk-criminal-hero character. The entire storyline very much could follow along with his...
  • Catherine from San Antonio, Txadam's right, dumb mistake that needs to be fixed. also, this song has nothing to do with the death penalty in america. it has to do with the corrupt government policies in south america, where braddigan does a lot of charity work. hence the "que le vaya bien"
  • Adam from Dayton, OhThe Album is "Who are we living for?" not what are we waiting for. Comon i'd like to see this fixed
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.