They keep your attention on things that don't matter* The right things to eat so you won't grow any fatter The right things to wear, the right things to say The friends that you have depends on how much you pay And maybe someday if you're lucky enough And you buy all their synthetic crap You'll look like that girl in the magazine ad Or the guy with the girl on his lap You try so hard to be a good American You want to live your life like the people on your television But being a good American means living life in silence And when you stand up for your rights, they'll knock you down with violence Well, all you really have to do If you want them to approve of you Is shut your mouth Don't complain Don't even try to think for yourself Shut your fucking brain The power that they have is the power that you give They take advantage of your ignorance to control the lives you live They process the people like they process the food They process your children while they're being schooled So when they grow up and reach their maturity Their disciplined minds will respect their authority Keep them in line, you'll teach them well So they'll shut off their minds and won't try to rebel Teach your children well Teach your children well