FAWM: "Pin the Blame"

Pin the Blame

Liner Notes

My wife and I were talking the other day about how social media, which has always had its really ugly side, seems to be getting worse and worse. And the thing that we have noticed is that when someone makes a comment about being persecuted or injured, especially if that person is a woman or a minority, they get piled on in the comments. Nobody is heaping abuse on men who sexually assault women or racists who scream invectives at innocent people. It's the victims who get victimized again. That conversation got me thinking, and it turned into this song.

This is another one I'd like to build on with electric guitars, bass, and drums. (And I'd like to fix the mistake I made in the second chorus, but hey, it's FAWM and this is a demo!)

#protest #folkpunk #acousticonetake

Lyrics

Verse 1
You can see it in the comments underneath any social media post -
People piling on with negativity and hate.
But do you know the one thing that I really notice the most,
The thing that makes me feel so irate?
Look who they're picking on every time.
Look who they single out every time.

Chorus
Why is it so easy to pin the blame on the oppressed,
But the oppressor always gets off scott free?
It's your fault for any bad thing that has happened to you.
Your tormentor couldn't do anything else, you see.
So I'm losing my faith...in humanity.

Verse 2
You call gay people sinners and claim that trans folks are mentally ill,
So you justify all of your outpourings of abuse.
You say womena nd minorities are just "DEI hires" who will
Take your job, so that gives you an excuse
To heap more scorn on them every time.
You spew your hate on them every time.

Chorus
Why is it so easy to pin the blame on the oppressed,
But the oppressor always gets off scott free?
It's your fault for any bad thing that has happened to you.
Your tormentor couldn't do anything else, you see.
So I'm losing my faith...in humanity.

Bridge
Where are the people calling out the bigots?
Where are the people calling out the cruel?
Where are the people who protect the defenseless?
Where are the ones who'll clean out the cesspool?
Where are the people who defend the downtrodden?
Where are the people who will say "NO MORE!"
Where are the people who still have a conscience?
Where are the ones who will shut the door
On your hate?
Let's shut the door on your hate.

Chorus
Why is it so easy to pin the blame on the oppressed,
But the oppressor always gets off scott free?
It's your fault for any bad thing that has happened to you.
Your tormentor couldn't do anything else, you see.
So I'm losing my faith...in humanity.

Comments

@hazydave 3d

NO MORE! There's never been a time when Punk is more needed to call out this shit! This whole idea of blaming the weakest in society is part of the architecture of fascism... the fascists always need to create an enemy to distract from fact their supporters are probably next in line. Particularly the brand that's being brewed in the far right cesspools these days, which is pushing toward full on White Nationalistic Oligarchy.

But I digress.. nice song, Dave!

@caitlin 4d

NO MORE! Blaming the oppressed instead of the oppressors really boils my blood. I really enjoy the punk energy of this song, and the vocal melody really works, splitting the lines the way you do. Nice dynamic contrast in the bridge too, this song is a keeper. Shut the door on hate!!

@heather 5d

Love the lyrics and the conviction in your delivery!! This would be really cool with some drums and a bass line (I mean, it’s already cool, but if you want to add/develop). I could also imagine backing vocals saying “no more” and maybe also “wtf, humanity”.