This song is about being yourself, while dealing with judgmental people who would rather gossip about you and stab you in the back than actually deal with who you are.
[Intro]
It's a long time, a long time coming
It's a long time, a long time coming
It's a long time, a long time coming
It's a long time, a long time coming
[Verse 1]
You tell me how you think I should be
It's so easy
You tell me what people want from me
Well, I'll just be myself
It's the only way I can be
But you don't see
You accuse, abuse integrity
You don't know one damn thing about me
Not one damn thing
[Pre-Chorus]
Build me up, and then you tear me down
Curse my name when I'm not around
You're so hard until the truth is found
What goes 'round always comes around
[Chorus]
And it's a long time, a long time
A long time coming
A long time, a long time
A long time coming, a vicious circle
In your face I'll come running
Try and stop me
A long time, much too long
And I'm coming, try and stop me
[Verse 2]
I like to keep my friends around me close
But my enemies closer
Friends accept me for just who I am
Not someone I'm supposed to be
Or something they expect for free
Do you know me?
I live with myself, I know my place
Wipe that bullshit smile off your face
The show is over
[Pre-Chorus]
Build me up and then you tear me down
Curse my name when I'm not around
You're so hard until the truth is found
What goes 'round always comes around
[Chorus]
And it's a long time, a long time
A long time coming
A long time, a long time
A long time coming, a vicious circle
In your face I'll come running
Try and stop me
A long time, much too long
And I'm coming, try and stop me
[Bridge]
You and me are gonna take a walk
I think it's time we had a little talk
I said
You and me are gonna take a walk
And we're gonna do more than walk and talk
[Guitar solo]
[Verse 3]
Let me see how you think I should be
You think it's so easy?
Put yourself on trial every day
Against a hung jury
You don't know one thing about me
You believe the hype you see
But in my heart God knows
I'll be true to what my life will bring
[Chorus]
And it's a long time, a long time
A long time coming
A long time, a long time
A long time coming, a vicious circle
In your face I'll come running
Try and stop me
A long time, much too long
And I'm coming, try and stop me
Gridlock was written by Dan Spitz & Scott Ian & Joey Belladonna & Charlie Benante & Frank Bello.
Gridlock was produced by Mark Dodson & Anthrax.