Red Hot Chili Peppers - subterranean homesick blues

노래는 젊은이가 혼란스러운 사회 속에서 위험과 범죄에 대처하는 모습을 그린다
그는 정부와 범죄에 대한 걱정, 주변 인물들의 경고 속에서 살아가며 목표와 안전을 지키려 애쓴다
불확실한 미래 속에서 조심해야 할 것들이 많음을 강조한다

Johnny's in the basement mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough, wants to get it paid off (pay him off)
God knows when but you're doing it again
You better duck down the alleyway looking for a new friend
The man in the coonskin cap by the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills; you only got ten, so look out kid
Look out, kid, because it's somethin' that you did, kid
Look out, kid, because they keep it all hid, look out
Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot
Talking at the heat put plants in the bed but
The phone's tapped anyway, Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May orders from the DA
This place called LA
Walk on your tip toes, don't try "no doz"
Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes
'Cause you don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows, look out kid