Incubus – Privilege

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Isn't it strange that a gift could be an enemy?
Isn't it weird that a privilege could feel like a chore?
Maybe it's me but this line isn't going anywhere
Maybe if we looked hard enough, we could find a backdoor
(Find yourself a backdoor)

I see you in line, dragging your feet
You have my sympathy
The day you were born, you were born free
That is your privilege

Isn't it strange that the man standing in front of me
Doesn't have a clue why he is waiting, or what he's waiting for?
Maybe it's me, but I'm sick of wasting energy
Maybe if I look in my heart I could find a backdoor
(Find yourself a backdoor)

I see you in line, dragging your feet
You have my sympathy
The day you were born, you were born free
That is your privilege

Send "Privilege" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Idan

Track duration: 03:54

"Privilege" as written by Brandon Charles Boyd, Michael Aaron Einziger, Alex Katunich, Christopher E Kilmore, Jose Anthony Pasillas Ii

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Privilege song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:It's very much so about being product of a capitalist society and also obviously about self improvement.
    Flagged liquidprimuson April 29, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:In "Privilege," Brandon sees his homosexuality as a "gift" but it is rendered as an "enemy" by prevailing hetero norms. This "line" is the homosexual movement and the closeted homos that won't come out and find a "back door" (a euphemism for "ass'). He sees another person "in line dragging [their] feet" and this person has his "sympathy"-this is a man who has been partaking in regular anal sex, which causes one to walk funny to the point of dragging feet. Brandon is simply saying 'don't be ashamed, I know the pain you feel.' The line about "the man standing in front of me" is clueless and doesn't know that Brandon finds him highly attractive to the point of wanting to seduce him. Yet, the man is in denial about being gay. Brandon is "sick of wasting energy" on men that really are gay and just won't come to grips with it like he is now. Hence, he must find "a backdoor" and recommends that others to the same in order to enjoy the sexual joy he experiences.
    Flagged bombast07on March 15, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:love it.
    Flag a7s9kon August 26, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song always reminds me of voting. Sometimes it feels like such a hassle to have to go out of your way to go cast a ballot that often seems to make no difference anyways. But voting and the freedom that allows us the opportunity to vote is a privilege that so many people take for granted. Look no further than elections in places like Middle East, where people are dieing for a chance to have that right.
    Flag PenguinOfTroyon May 24, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song to me is about a person who is priviledged enough to think about the fact that life is more than just what it seems...it is not only about living from day to day and making ends meet...it is about discovering what the meaning of the time we have on this earth is truly about...it can def feel like a chore bc it is so hard to decipher why we were put here and what our purpose is--but once one understands that we are essentially set free, bc we are no longer stuck in the rut "that the man in front of you" is stuck in...btw incubus rocks...no one else is as talented as they will ever be..from the lyrics to the music--THEY GOT IT ALL!
    Flag brittbo2006on August 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Pretty simple to understand and assimilate, (almost) everyone's born free and in equal oppurtunity, of course there are exceptions, this is basicly for everybody who keeps com plaining because things don't do their way, instead of trying to reach what they want, you born free to think, even if you have to keep it for you, that's your priviledge, nobody but you can figure out a way of you being happy using just that priviledge, take challenges as gifts and knowledge, you'll win more than you lose.
    Flag raVen2tton March 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:MAYBE HES TALKING ABOUT A LINE IN JAIL. DRAGGING YOUR FEET IN LINE. SEEING PPL GETTING LOCKED UP.. BRANDON GIVE THEM HIS SYMPATHY BECAUSE HES SAYING THE DAY YOU WERE BORN YOU ARE BORN FREE.. ODD HOW NO ONES THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.
    Flag camilabella420on August 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Does anyone hear the part of the song that kinda sounds like a bong rip? it's at about 2:40..there's a bubbling noise (cds being scratched) and then a sucking air sound. i know it's a stretch...but isn't weed is one of the band's backdoors? =)
    Flag thirdwheel7on March 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:rockindacurves says it all
    but i do wish that some people owuld take the time to listen to what these guys have to say
    their lyrics truly do have alot of meaning that relate to life, unlike today's crazed society making stupid songs about girl's asses, and two dollar hos.
    Flag chant4mcaon February 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me this song is kinda sad...Probably because of the way the chorus sounds if you think about it.
    Flag Love is suicide...on September 06, 2006   Link

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