how many girls stay awake all night
too scared to sleep and too scared to fight back
i know you know what i'm talking about
another woman killed and hardly a pout about it
green river killer my fucking ass
the cops have gotta be deaf, dumb, and spastic
to not catch the killer(s) of one hundred woman
i guess it'd be different if they thought we were human

i wanna know what love is

what the fuck if we all got guns
to off the fucking pigs and all the other motherfuckers
raping the children they paint like dolls
jon benet didn't scream because she never fucking was
come on now the police aren't gonna save you
they're part of the problem that society gave you
locking up black men for whistling in the wind
you see a mirage when you call the cop your friend

i wanna know what love is

the killers and the cops give us special advice
like cross your legs and act fucking nice
while they kill us off old and fucking young
for breathing, relieving, and having fun
they'll keep you scared so you have to have a boyfriend
and take your kids away if you're a la la lesbian
arrest you for whoring then rape you in the car
it's time we point the finger at who the real criminals are

i wanna know what love is
i want you to show me

so i'll stay awake almost every night
a pen in my hand and in the other a knife
because i'd rather be scared and fight back
than be some dick's maid, babe or wife

i don't care how we get it but we'll get it someday



Lyrics submitted by riotkitten

Track duration: 03:36


I Wanna Know What Love Is song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The sample at the end of the song is "The Guns of Brixton" by the Clash.
    Flag rachel_mtron November 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is an amazing song! i wish she wuld go on tour. DOES ANYONE know what the song sampled at the end of this song is called or who its by?its that kinda reggae rap song or somthing... it has a killer beat and ive been wondering this for years and i still cant find out. EMAIL ME IF U KNOW! cntrag13888@yahoo.com THANKS
    Flag whore138on October 04, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think it's a great song, and I like how it uses the chorus, "I wanna know what love is." because to me this relates to the foreigner song, how as women we want to know love, but we can't know love when there is all these bad things going on.
    Flag xcatson September 15, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I have loved this fuckin' song for years! awesome message! and i agree with the person who said that it's like rap, but that's ok it's a good song.
    Flag femmefatale1990on June 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is beyond words. It has been my inspriration in life. People always say it, but this song has ACTUALLY changed my life. Especially the last verse.
    Flag Riison February 13, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:kathleen hanna + hip hop= fucking awesome


    'so i'll stay awake almost every night
    a pen in my hand and in the other a knife
    because i'd rather be scared and fight back
    than be some dick's maid, babe or wife'

    great sentiment.
    Flag precipitateon December 03, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I believe this is one of the best feminist anthems, and also one of the best anthems of awareness of police brutality. It really shows how authority figures will take any power they are given, and try to reap more and more from it.
    Flag jonestown_teaon June 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:fuck police brutality and fuck sexism
    Flag skarredmunkeyon June 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the point she is trying to get acrossed is fucking great. i appreciate her and this song!
    Flag Jordiannaon February 23, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love her message in here, that we women need to stop allowing our fears to prevent us from doing what we want, and to face our fears alone, instead of being completely dependent on men. To me, she's singing about finding our inner strength and courage.
    Flag jadepnk06on December 07, 2004   Link

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