Institutionalized Lyrics


Sometimes I try to do things and it just doesn't work out the way I wanted to.

I get real frustrated and I try hard to do it and I take my time and it doesn't work out the way I wanted to.

It's like I concentrate real hard and it doesn't work out.

Everything I do and everything I try never turns out.

It's like I need time to figure these things out.

But there's always someone there going.

Hey Mike:

You know we've been noticing you've been having a lot of problems lately.

You know, maybe you should get away and maybe you should talk about it, maybe you'll feel a lot better

And I go:

No it's okay, you know I'll figure it out, just leave me alone I'll figure it out.

You know I'll just work by myself.

And they go:

Well you know if you want to talk about it I'll be here you know and you'll probably feel a lot better if you talk about it.

And I go:

No I don't want to I'm okay, I'll figure it out myself and they just keep bugging me and they just keep bugging me and it builds up inside and it builds up inside.

So you're gonna be institutionalized

You'll come out brainwashed with bloodshot eyes

You won't have any say

They'll brainwash you until you see their way.

[Chorus:]

I'm not crazy - in an institution

You're the one who's crazy - in an institution

You're driving me crazy - in an institution

They stuck me in an institution

Said it was the only solution

To give me the needed professional help

To protect me from the enemy -- myself.

I was in my room and I was just like staring at the wall thinking about everything

But then again I was thinking about nothing

And then my mom came in and I didn't even know she was there she called my name

And I didn't even hear it, and then she started screaming: MIKE! MIKE!

And I go:

What, what's the matter?

And she goes:

What's the matter with you?

I go:

There's nothing wrong mom.

And she goes:

Don't tell me that, you're on drugs!

And I go:

No mom I'm not on drugs I'm okay, I was just thinking you know, why don't you get me a Pepsi.

And she goes:

NO you're on drugs!

I go:

Mom I'm okay, I'm just thinking.

She goes:

No you're not thinking, you're on drugs! Normal people don't act that way!

I go:

Mom just give me a Pepsi, please

All I want is a Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me

All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me.

Just a Pepsi.

They give you a white shirt with long sleeves

Tied around you're back, you're treated like thieves

Drug you up because they're lazy

It's too much work to help a crazy

[Chorus]

I was sitting in my room and my mom and my dad came in and they pulled up a chair and they sat down, they go:

Mike, we need to talk to you

And I go:

Okay what's the matter

They go:

Me and your mom have been noticing lately that you've been having a lot of problems,

You've been going off for no reason and we're afraid you're gonna hurt somebody,

We're afraid you're gonna hurt yourself.

So we decided that it would be in your interest if we put you somewhere

Where you could get the help that you need.

And I go:

Wait, what are you talking about, we decided!?

My best interest?! How can you know what's my best interest is?

How can you say what my best interest is? What are you trying to say, I'm crazy?

When I went to your schools, I went to your churches,

I went to your institutional learning facilities?! So how can you say I'm crazy?

They say they're gonna fix my brain

Alleviate my suffering and my pain

But by the time they fix my head

Mentally I'll be dead

[Chorus]

It doesn't matter, I'll probably get hit by a car anyway