This song is a withering criticism of the modern American justice system. Dave Mustaine takes the piss out of the corruption he sees with too much money in the system and a focus on “winning” instead of arriving at the truth and administering true justice.
[Verse 1]
Dawn breaks evenly today
On the truth and the lie
All rise, court's in session
We're hanging someone high
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Justice means nothing today
Now that the courts are for sale
Pick a crime from the menu
Pick a sentence and defend you
And pick up the down payment called bail
The system's for sale
[Chorus 1]
Kick the chair, the rope's tight
Just like one quick wrench, the tooth is out
Friend or foe, I gotta hang 'em dead
Or they'll come back around
Kick it!
[Verse 2]
The court's wrong when it keeps track
Of victories and defeats
The press that never rests waits
For somebody's soul they can eat
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Justice means nothing today
Now that the jury's for sale
Guilty or not, the verdict's a lie
You're going to jail
The system has failed
[Chorus 2]
Kick the chair, the rope's tight
Just like one quick wrench, the tooth is out
Friend or foe, you gotta hang 'em dead
Or they'll come back
[Instrumental Outro]
Kick the Chair was written by Dave Mustaine.
Kick the Chair was produced by Jeff Balding & Dave Mustaine.
Megadeth released Kick the Chair on Tue Sep 14 2004.