Album: Year Zero (2007)

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• I pushed the button and elected him to office and
  He pushed the button and he dropped the bomb
  You pushed the button and could watch it on the television
  Those motherfuckers didn't last too long
  I'm sick of hearing 'bout the have's and have-not's
  Have some personal accountability
  The biggest problem with the way that we've been doing things is
  The more we let you have, the less that I'll be keeping for me
  
  Well, I used to stand for something
  Now I'm on my hands and knees
  Traded in my god for this one
  And he signs his name with a capital G
  
  Don't give a shit about the temperature in Guatemala
  Don't really see what all the fuss is about
  Ain't gonna worry about no future generations and I
  Am sure somebody's gonna figure it out
  Don't try to tell me that some power can corrupt a person
  You haven't had enough to know what it's like
  You're only angry 'cause you wish you were in my position
  Now nod your head because you know that I'm right, all right!
  
  Well, I used to stand for something
  But forgot what that could be
  There's a lot of me inside you
  Maybe you're afraid to see
  
  Well, I used to stand for something
  Now I'm on my hands and knees
  Traded in my god for this one
  And he signs his name with a capital G
  
  Well, I used to stand for something
  But forgot what that could be
  There's a lot of me inside you
  Maybe you're afraid to see
  
  Well, I used to stand for something
  Now I'm on my hands and knees
  Traded in my god for this one
  And he signs his name with a capital G Writer/s: Trent Reznor
  Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

• Sherlock Tonnes from Tartaria'"I used to stand for something" but supposedly forgot what that was...soooo... Now he is down on his hands and knees..... blindfolded surrounded by men with guns or swords wearing aprons, I'm guessing .. why? Because he's trading in his God for "this one" .. And he signs HIS name with a Capitol "G" (enter the square and compass with a capitol G at center one eyed wink wink). Perhaps if the lyrics are read 33 times then maybe we will wish to be in his position and have enough power to know what its like.......J/S. I do believe there is a pyramid hidden in the video also. Stay thirsty my friends.
• Dj from California“Now I’m on my hands and knees” why would he ever do that for George Bush or any other mortal? “Trading my god (false idol imo) for this one who signs his name with a capital G”. I truly believe he’s referring to THE god and it’s almost that simple and if that wasn’t the message then I still think him and every other person will come back to god regardless. When I say it isn’t that simple is because god did come back to earth and that was definitely Jesus. No other religion would care to even mention his existence if he didn’t matter and was just a martyr.
• Mcgee from MaCapital G also refers to the freemasons who are running the show,as well as govt.imho.
• Jeremy from NyI love your comments and appreciate all of them, I personally felt like the "G" was about God but now feel like it was thought of as "Greed", that makes more sense. Trent doesn't seem to have a problem with said "God," but greed, indeed, and if one feels George Bush is the "G," then that is still an aspect of the concept of greed. God is jealous, but not greedy.
• AnonymousCapital G is a metaphor for God, George W and big government. Trent is clever like that
• Cruth from Neptune Beach The G does not stand for President George Bush it stands for big government.
• Angela from Cartersville, Gai really like this song i think the reznor really knows what is going on in the world and was preatty smart to write about it. so keep on rock in to the music. and reznor keep writing trye songs!!
• Duncan from Boaz, AlThe "you" refers to the general public, being apethetic and voting in the new "God" aka president. The song mainly says that we as a people are taking almost anyone who says that they are in God's will as being amazing and good, and all opposed as being evil. It exposes that, under that system, our rights can be abused. the "capital G" refers to the self absorbtion of the subject.
• Ryan from Suffern, NyIt must be about God. If you notice in the lyrics, he refers to "You" all the time. Meaning it could be God talking because he gives us free will. "you push the button and elected him to office" "i used to stand for something, but forgot what that could be" the constant grow of new religions give people new ideas of what God wants and stands for
• Jayna from Katy, TxActually, i highly doubt its about president George Bush. The Year Zero CD is set 15 years or so in the future, as Trent Reznor stated in some of his interviews. Bush wont be president then.
  
  This is my own personal opinion, though. And i could be wrong.
• Owen from Syracuse, NyI always thought that the 'G' in the song standed for 'George' as in 'George W. Bush'
  
  
• J from L, CoReznor claimed the 'G' in this song stands for 'Greed', although others interpret it to also mean 'Government' and 'God' as well.

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