A dramatic reading and analysis of Black Flag's "I Don't Care."

I had planned to put "I don't care" in a post and leave it at that, but I figured that that wouldn't get much play here. So, in the spirit of the inane lyrical analysis found in the book "Come As You Are" - the story of Nirvana, by Michael Azzerad, I thought I'd flesh it out my feelings a little bit and post the lyrics to the song of the same title by that seminal punk band, Black Flag. Remember, kids, apathy rocks. (Lyrics are in Arial boldface. My analysis is in this font.)

I don't care - gonna f**k you anyways

Here, the singer - I believe it's Dez Cadena, but I could be wrong (though it's definitely not Henry Rollins) - seems to be saying that in spite of the general apathy surrounding him vis-a-vis his crush on a particular girl, he's still going to give her a little action.

don't care - your boyfriend's here anyways

Of course, this action might come at a price. The singer might get the crap beaten out of him by his love interest's boyfriend, who appears to be "here," wherever "here" is. Perhaps they are at the Tastee-Freez.

don't care - is that a tampon on anyways

Also impeding the singer's progress toward bedding down the girl is the fact that it may or may not be the girl's time of the month.

don't care - well you're gross anyways

The singer here shrugs off his crush on the girl, rationalizing his moving on by saying that she's less than attractive (see below), but in reality, her boyfriend is there and she is, of course, enjoying a visit from Aunt Flo.

I don't care [x2]
(hahaha you're ugly)

Further rationalization from the singer, who was, as you recall, going to give it to the girl, but may have been shot down.

don't care - you're messed up anyways

And again. Ugly and crazy. Sometimes ugly girls can be crazy too. You expect it more from the pretty girls, though.

don't care - well you're a doggy anyways

Here, the singer seems to be reaching into the "unattractiveness" well once too often. The use of "doggy" here implies that the former object of his affection is rather mutt-like.

don't care - you got a dull place anyways

The singer here implies that the girl lives in Bart Villa.

I don't care - well you look like Raggedy Liz

Here, I always thought that the singer said, "Well, you look like Megan Williams." It would make about as much sense.

I don't care [x2]

The singer imparts further his lack of effort in caring at this point in the song, by which time the listener should also stop caring.

don't care - well you're gross anyways

Etc. etc. etc.

don't care - your boyfriend's here anyways

Etc. etc. etc.

don't care - well your parents are here too

A "Sixth Sense"-level twist on things to wrap up the song. This reminds me of when I had long hair - I believe I recounted this in a much earlier post on this blog - and my dad said, "I don't care if you want to be a girl." Really, he did care. Just the same, the singer also cares that the girl's parents are there, but he's really too cool to let on.

I don't care

Here, the singer once more drives home the point that he doesn't really want to impart any effort into caring.

Anyway, that's how I feel right now, except for the part about sex and the boyfriend and the parents and the dog show.