Bad Influence

[Intro - sampled from Michael Moore's 'Bowling For Columbine']

Jason Janz: "Some will be so brash to ask, if we believe that all who hear Manson tomorrow night will go out and commit violent acts. The answer is no. But does everybody who watches a Lexus ad go and buy a Lexus? No. But a few do."

[Static]

Jason Janz: "If Marilyn Manson can walk into our town and promote hate, violence, suicide, death, drug use and Columbine-like behavior, I can say, not without a fight you can't."

[Verse 1]

Now I'm not an expert on this kind of matter
But you've got to agree that there's nothing sadder
Than a bunch of 'Gangsta Kids' running around
Using profanity and racist words on the playground
And you blame hip hop? That's where you flop
It's the parents that raised them to be a rotten crop
Speaking of which, what is it with rap these days?
Talking about money, weed and blowing people away

It's all the same subject matter, mostly lust and greed
No wonder your kid's chasing money and smoking weed!
Do you really think your teachings for your kids are strong?
How come you never told them doing those things is wrong?
Of course a shooting came along, with bodies on shelves
They blame Manson 'cause they can't blame themselves!
If I made a track about gun crime and kids die
Will you all turn around and say I'm the bad guy?

[Hook]

Is it another case of
Scapegoats in the media
Or are these parents
Really incompetent?

'Cause now it's got me sitting
And it's also got me thinking
Who's really
The bad influence?

[Verse 2]

Look at all these 12 year old little squeakers
Locked in their bedrooms, violence in their speakers
With all their Call of Duty and their Halo games
They could get the violence stuck in their brains
And parents playing video games? Fuck their score streak!
You had a toddler dying at home across the street!
And you blame video games when things get hectic
I mean Daniel Petric? Should've stuck with Tetris

Then Manhunt becomes linked to a horrific killing
As if violence on the news isn't any more thrilling(!)
But regardless, I also play video games too
Injustice, Left 4 Dead, Saints Row, just to name a few
But the difference between squeakers and I
Is that I don't scream at the game when I die
But I'm rambling now, so before it all gets worse
You can blame video games, just look at yourself first

[Hook]

[Verse 3]

With all that in mind, who's really the bad influence?
Who’s really helping and who’s really incompetent?
Just look at ISIS and all the people they slew
And don't get me started on the Jackass crew!
People say censorship can help us rest our head
Did you forget when Budd Dwyer shot himself dead?
He was on live Television when he did that shit!
If you don't want such an effect on kids, don't let them watch it!

Unless you want Natural Born Killers down the street
Killing strangers and loved ones, till blood is soaking their feet
And attitudes to media's sour like lemons in your nostril
When kids slice each other's achilles heels like Hostel
So with all that said, who's more to blame?
That violent video game you let your kids play at 8
Or you as a parent for allowing them to do so?
Let's use our brains for once. Let's give that idea a go

[Hook]

(Now it's got me sitting
And it's also got me thinking
Who's really
The bad influence?)

[Outro - sampled from Michael Moore's 'Bowling For Columbine']

Michael Moore: "If you were to talk directly to the kids at Columbine or the people in that community, what would you say to them if they were here right now?"

Marilyn Manson: "I wouldn't say a single word to them. I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did."