Papa Roach

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Somewhere beyond happiness and sadness
I need to calculate
What creates my own madness
And I'm addicted to your punishment
And you're the master
And I am waiting for disaster

[Chorus]
I feel irrational
So confrontational
To tell the truth I am
Getting away with murder
It isn't possible
To never tell the truth
But the reality is I'm getting away with murder

[Post-Chorus]
Getting away, getting away, getting away

[Verse 2]
I drink my drink and I don't even want to
I think my thoughts when I don't even need to
I never look back because I don't even want to
And I don't need to
Because I'm getting away with murder
[Chorus]
I feel irrational
So confrontational
To tell the truth I am
Getting away with murder
It isn't possible
To never tell the truth
But the reality is I'm getting away with murder

[Post-Chorus]
Getting away, getting away, getting away
Getting away, getting away, getting away
Getting away, getting away, getting away with murder

[Verse 3]
Somewhere beyond happiness and sadness
I need to calculate
What creates my own madness
And I'm addicted to your punishment
And you're the master
And I am craving this disaster

[Chorus]
I feel irrational
So confrontational
To tell the truth I am
Getting away with murder
It isn't possible
To never tell the truth
But the reality is I'm getting away with murder
(Getting away, getting away, getting away)
I feel irrational
So confrontational
To tell the truth I am
Getting away with murder
It isn't possible
To never tell the truth
But the reality is I'm getting away with murder

Are you a fan of Papa Roach? If yes, then you may have noticed a change in their sound when the song Getting Away With Murder was released. The band shifted from their signature Nu Metal style to Hard Rock, and the absence of rapping was noticeable. This song features Shaddix as an antagonist, playing the role of someone involved in acts of deception and deceit instead of playing the victim as he has usually done in their previous tracks. But that's not all; the song has multiple meanings with double and even triple entendres which can be confusing at times.

So, let's dive deeper and learn about the song's meaning, background, and influences.

About Getting Away With Murder

Getting Away With Murder is the titular track from Papa Roach's 2004 album. The song was released on June 1, 2004, and quickly became a fan favorite. From its amplifying guitar riff to its socially conscious lyrics, everything about this track is fantastic.

In an interview with MTV, Shaddix disclosed that the song is open to interpretation. He wrote the song in such a way that the lyrics can be taken in different ways. It can be about someone doing something wrong behind somebody’s back, and that something is on their conscience, knowing that they’ll get away with it. Or, it can be about organizations or politicians involved in corruption and getting away with it or even unethical powerful elites who take advantage of ordinary people. In short, the song is an indictment of all the wrong done by powerful people.

Getting Away With Murder is one of the few Papa Roach songs that does not feature rapping. The band's decision to step away from their conventional style and include more rock elements made all the tracks stand out, and Getting Away With Murder was a prime example of this. In terms of lyrics, the song highlights the imbalance in power and how the corrupt individuals are the ones who prosper while the masses suffer. It is more of a protest song than a personal one, and it resonated well with fans, especially those who were actively involved in political and social issues during that time.

Although the band had not previously incorporated much political influence into their music, they took into account the most pressing issues of the time to give their album a new level of relevance and meaning.

Inspiration Behind Getting Away With Murder

As Papa Roach stepped up to record music for their fourth studio album, they decided to put more thought into their songwriting. They wanted to make a statement that would go beyond their music and send across a relevant message to their listeners. With the country in turmoil from the Iraq war, which was widely opposed, the band turned their attention to the socio-political issues affecting our world. Getting Away With Murder became their protest song seeing as it talked about power politics and corruption.

Although the song has a deep social meaning, the lyrics were also influenced by a personal experience. As revealed in an interview, Shaddix had done some shady things, that weighed down his conscience, and he was looking for a way to deal with it. The song, which begins as a personal confession, gradually escalates into a broader social message against the oppressors who perpetrate injustice.

It highlights the universal message that sometimes, bad things happen to good people and people get away with it and that make us feel like shit.

Why Getting Away With Murder Was Such a Hit

Getting Away With Murder became a hit amongst Papa Roach fans and the broader rock music audience. The song's success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the guitar riff of the song is hard-hitting and gripping, creating an immediate and lasting impact. Secondly, the lyrics are thought-provoking and challenging. Every word is coated with meaning and significance, causing an emotional response in the listener.

Furthermore, the absence of rapping in the song was another crucial element that intrigued listeners. For long, Papa Roach had been synonymous with Nu-Metal and their signature rap-rock sound. For the band to drop this and venture into new territory was a bold move that paid off. The song encapsulated a sense of struggle and the need for change that was lacking in the music scene at that time, making the band stand out.

In a Nutshell

In a nutshell, Getting Away With Murder is a fantastic song that showcases Papa Roach's evolution. The band's decision to break free from conventional rapping and nu-metal made the song stand out. The lyrics were thought-provoking and challenging, touching on both personal and public issues. The song can be interpreted in different ways, making it relatable to different people.

All in all, Getting Away With Murder is one song you do not want to miss. With its mesmerizing guitar riffs, bold lyrics, and socially conscious message -- it is definitely a track worth hearing.

• Release Date: July 31, 2004
• Artist: Papa Roach