We've got one chance to break out
And we need it now
'Cause I'm sick and tired of waiting
Sick of this fucking apartment
Love me, or leave me
Or rip me apart
This is the voice that I was given and
If you don't like it take a long walk
Off of the shortest pier you can find
And I'll be singing it out
I'll be singing

Oh, Mr. Magazine
Never wrote one single thing for you
Or your so-called music scene
You don't mean a thing to me

Pick it up, pick it up
It's what you wanted
Pick it up, pick it up
And you need it too
Pick it up, pick it up
It's what you wanted
Pick it up, pick it up

When they review the debut
What if the critics hate you?
Don't worry 'cause we might just catch somebody
Off their feet
Well they can love it or leave it
Or rip it apart
We're living what we're singing
So I guess that's a step in the right direction
Clever composition and the honesty, honesty

Oh Mr. Magazine
Never wrote one single thing for you
Or your so-called music scene
You both mean shit to me

Pick it up, pick it up
It's what you wanted
Pick it up, pick it up
And you need it too
Pick it up, pick it up
It's what you wanted
Pick it up, pick it up

So save your breath and the money you spent
Go work in retail and spare the suspense
Just don't take chances on anything at all
Anything at all

So afraid of anything that may not come that easy
Too afraid of anything you may not have seen before
So afraid of anything that may not come that easy
Too afraid of anything that may not

Pick it up, pick it up
It's what you wanted
Pick it up, pick it up
And you need it too
Pick it up, pick it up
It's what you wanted
Pick it up, pick it up

So save your breath and the money you spent
Go work in retail and spare the suspense
Just don't take chances on anything at all
Anything at all

So save your breath and the money you spent
Go work in retail and spare the suspense
Just don't take chances on anything at all
Anything at all


Lyrics submitted by xfatallyoursx

Black Mamba Lyrics as written by Michael Carden William Beckett

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Black Mamba song meanings
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43 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    w00t!

    ADimeADexteron January 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    love me or "Leave" Me... u got love twice

    ADimeADexteron January 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    catchy! looove it! mmm <333

    teenagepoetryon January 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song Is About that CD just listen to the lyrics... They are saying they took chances with this debut CD,

    "when they review the debut what if the critics hate you"

    So I suggest You to pick it up, pick it up but you want it pick it up, pick it up you need it too

    ADimeADexteron February 03, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree with ADimeADexter. I was reading a review of the album (at AbsolutePunk, if anyone is interested) and it was stated, "Black Mamba is the band’s take on the critics quick attack of their first EP (and the responses they may have to this album). Brutally honest and one of the best examples of how a band can create an album for themselves, for their fans, and not particularly give a shit if the “scene police” like it or not.

    splitendson February 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree with ADimeADexter. I was reading a review of the album (at AbsolutePunk, if anyone is interested) and it was stated, "Black Mamba is the band’s take on the critics quick attack of their first EP (and the responses they may have to this album). Brutally honest and one of the best examples of how a band can create an album for themselves, for their fans, and not particularly give a shit if the “scene police” like it or not."

    splitendson February 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree completely with splitends, but i look at it more as a song saying screw the music reviewers and pick the the album and have your own opinion about it

    MySensesHavFailed35on April 14, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    take a long walk off of the shortest pier you can find,

    god, so f'n sick. I love TAI. I was reading a interview w. William and the guy asked him how he feels that some people label him a fallout boy rip off. He said listen to "Black Mamba". I couldn't agree more. When i picked up this cd, this was a welcome escape from the emo-pop-punk sound that has spawned so many spin offs

    sottenadon June 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "too afraid of anything you may not seem to fall" is really .. "too afraid of anything you may not have seen before"

    Also, this song is AMAZING. You can see just how strongly they feel about this song and it's meaning when you see them perform live. Who cares about what's scene, just sing what you want, how you want it, like you want it.

    electriicon October 20, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is awesome. I think it's about breaking out, ya know, making it big I ♥ this song.

    IHeartRainbowsX13on January 24, 2006   Link

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