Doing Time

Song details

Bad Religion original
Yes
First released
1982
First release
How Could Hell Be Any Worse? (album)
Songwriter
Brett Gurewitz

Lyrics

Doing Time

See the fight, old men crying, deny their ruin. Watch them try. The cynic laughs at the optimist's closed eyes. Darkness falls, curtain calls, the cynic's beer soon overflows. Other watches, has a drink, and from the same cup, They drink I'm doin' time, how long I don't know. William had 26, blew his brains out, now look at him. John had only one, watch the mother mourn her only son. I'm doin' time, how long I don't know. I'll kiss goodbye my brain and body And go to sleep for generations. Salvation: Cease concentration. You'll only lose the fight. Don't tell me what's wrong or right! You're losing sight. You're just gonna die anyway!

Versions & recordings

Grouped by recording

6

First released on Live '93 · 1993

Appears on

924 Gilman St FM BroadcastBootleg · 2020View 2 versions →Holy SmokeBootleg · 1995View 3 versions →Live 94 RadioBootleg · 1995View 1 version →Live '93Bootleg · 1993View 2 versions →

Song statistics

Archive coverage at a glance

99release versions
#29

29th most featured song

68documented shows
#98

98th most played song

Live through the years

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Song Interpretations

What do you think this song is about? Share your interpretation and explain your reasoning.

2

legacy memberJul 14, 2006 · edited Date unknown
Lets see, basically, its the enevitability of death. No way you can beat death "You'll only lose the fight."
legacy memberMay 2, 2005 · edited Date unknown

I think this song is basically reminding everyone that we're all going to die. "William had 26, blew his brains out, now look at him. John had only one, watch the mother mourn her only son." this bit is saying that death can come at any time it doesnt matter how old you are. Doing time refers to being alive. The whole song can basically be summed up in the last line. I havent done a very good job here, but there wasn…

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I think this song is basically reminding everyone that we're all going to die. "William had 26, blew his brains out, now look at him.
John had only one, watch the mother mourn her only son." this bit is saying that death can come at any time it doesnt matter how old you are. Doing time refers to being alive. The whole song can basically be summed up in the last line.
I havent done a very good job here, but there wasnt a definition yet so i thought i would do one. More opinions please!