It's to reveal that fucked up cop
Amped up on prescription pills
That brought my heart to a stop
And I want to tell you there's a riot coming
Like a drug in the water
A punch in the stomach makes sons into daughters

I met a girl on the square
Who showed me how to kill my cares
But once that's done, man, there's nothing to do
Time's running backwards from me and you
There's a riot coming
Like a drug in the water
A punch in the stomach makes sons into daughters
My body's running but I don't see why it bothers

Sat down in jail with this friend of mine
Who'd never close both his eyes
But one was shut all the time
To cover the thing he was scared of
While he watched with the other
There was a riot coming
Like a drug in the water
A punch in the stomach makes sons into daughters

There's a riot coming
There's a riot coming
There's a riot coming



Lyrics submitted by paper bag writer

Track duration: 03:44

"Riot Coming" as written by Steven P. Smith

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Riot Coming song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:If it is "storyville," which i think it is, then i think it makes better sense with the last verse. My interpretation: I got busted by vice, while i was on prescription drugs (painkillers? during a detox, there can be pain and increased libido). I need a hit. (If it is "punch," he is referencing Charlie's abuse. If it is "bunch," he is again talking about painkillers. "Punch" makes more sense with "drug in the water.") I hate that I need this so much. I hate how it makes me. It was so much better the first time, when she showed me. Now I'm stuck in this addiction. I have a hard time keeping track of my life. My life is so pointless. I wish it would end. So I'm sitting here in jail, and my cell-mate has this way about him. He contradicts himself and acts illogically. At first I felt like I was better than him, but now I see. We're the same. When I get out, I'm shooting up. I don't care anymore. This is the only way I can feel good.
    Flag dowhatisayon February 17, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:The first line is DEFINITELY "In Storyville, I fucked a cop". I listened to 2 different recordings of this [live & studio] and it is clearly this. Whoever has the power to, please change this.
    Flag frejaon June 08, 2010   Link
  • -1
    My Opinion:I hear "In STONERVILLE I fucked a cop"

    which would make more sense, as the song is about drugs.
    Flag Hardwireon July 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I met a girl on the square
    Who showed me how to kill my cares
    But once that's done, man, there's nothing to do

    Girl introduced him to heroin. Once the high is gone, what else is there to do but try to get high again? What's the point of even getting sober, because what else is there to do?

    Oh, Elliott.
    Flag emilykmkzon March 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i love this song.
    Flag modernaudreyon November 24, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the riot his his addiction and withdrawal symptoms. the riot is his addiction's ferocity.
    Flag plainlyinsaneon May 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Thanks for the Storyville tip, IcOnFeSsImEsSeDuP.

    There is actually a storyville blue book on sale at ebay! That would be an awesome piece of American history--too bad it's $1,600.

    And I think nickdunny has the interpretation down right.
    Flag PowderedWaterTooon March 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I can see why people have their own interpretations, but the line is surely a PUNCH?
    Flag Fullerovon February 05, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Okey I know the lyrics of this song have never been printed, but I'm sure the first line is "In Storyville, I fucked a cop". Storyville being this...

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…

    I dunno what he means by that first line but I'd never try and figure it out, Elliott's lyrics were too amazing for that. I prefer to see them from a personal point of view. Like I hear the chorus as...

    "There's a riot coming, like a drug in the water.
    A BUNCH in the stomach makes sons into daughters"

    I feel like he may be talking about those prescription pills, taking a bunch of them in his stomach. But that's more a personal thing, I know what addiciton to painkillers can do. I guess the thought of it "making sons into daughters" is kinda scary, some prescription pills can cause impotence O_O
    Flag IcOnFeSsImEsSeDuPon January 29, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:amazing song.
    Flag ferdinandthebullon October 07, 2007   Link

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