Christian has stated that the song is about being anti-cop, ‘inspired by the teachings of Malcolm X’, which would support the comments made on the Reddit Ask Us Anything thread.
Christian makes many comments about the song in the linked Reddit thread, notably including that ‘the dog is a lie’ and...
[Intro]
Well we called off your guard as we entered the yard
To convince you to redirect some of that rage
Because who fed you rocks while they ate their thanksgiving?
And who left you out all alone in their cage?
[Verse 1]
And when you were a pup, well I watched you so close
You ran straight to the distance allowed by his post
You got kicked, you got choked, phrases crept up your spine
When he said, "We must keep our bitches in line"
And on his poker nights, says the same of his wife
He's the top dog, pack leader, a true alpha-male
So make no sudden moves, keep your nose from the border
You move fast, you eat last this side of pecking-order
[Verse 2]
So why don't you come with me? We've got acres with streams
We won't keep you in cages, make you beg for your treats
We won't tell you to heel, though you might need some time to
Dig up those old bones your young self left behind
You said, "Your offer is nice but here should suffice
Yeah, my younger years were something but that isn't my life
Master's all that I've got, he keeps me having a purpose
Gives me bed, keeps me fed, and I'm just slightly nervous of
What I might do if I were let loose
If I caught that mail car or ate garbage for food
So, as I bare all my teeth
I will ask of you please to just leave."
[Refrain]
Well your heart has spoken
I feel you're already house broken
Well your heart has spoken
I feel you're already house—
Shit!
[Verse 3]
Well, I made you a hood ornament for an oncoming car
Because your bark might seem bad, but I'll show you the scars
From when the state sent you over to deliver your teeth
To the heels of your kindred, breaking chains from their feet
And then you wipe your hands clean, splash of water, paper napkin
While the parrots sing headlines, we wear the leash like a fashion
Try to take out my claws, expect a visceral reaction
Try to muzzle me up, I'll lash out, I'll bite back and
Keep my options open
For fear of becoming house—
Housebroken was written by Christian Holden.
Housebroken was produced by Ian Van Opijnen.
The Hotelier released Housebroken on Tue Feb 25 2014.