In a 1993 interview with Guitar World, Scott Ian discussed the inspiration behind this song:
“Packaged Rebellion” basically came out of things that happened last summer — Lollapalooza and MTV and the whole grunge deal. The title just refers to the way the media is now selling this whole supposedly...
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
In and out, try to be
What you see, anarchy
Everything, everyone, every man
Rebellion
But you can't make a move
If you win then you lose
Look at me to approve
You're so hard, you're so real
You got nothing
[Bridge]
Who laughs last?
A question, not a task, I ask
What's your reason?
Do you believe in anything?
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't wanna hear how you're so driven
I don't wanna know your influence
I don't need to prove myself
I just need to be myself
It doesn't show what I'm trying to be
It just shows who I am
[Chorus]
Gone, take your packaged rebellion
Move on, revolution on your sleeve
If you say, mean it
If you mean it, do it
You can't live your life through me
Gone, take your packaged rebellion
With the air you breathe
[Verse 2]
Look around, no-one cares
Who you are, why or where
You're so blind, you're so dumb
You're so deaf, like a gun
That you can't even shoot
To the point that is moot
And you don't have a clue
You're so hard, you're so real
You got nothing
[Bridge]
Who laughs last?
A question, not a task, I ask
What's your reason?
Do you believe in anything?
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't wanna hear how you're so driven
I don't wanna know your influence
I don't need to prove myself
I just need to be myself
It doesn't show what I'm trying to be
It just shows who I am
[Chorus]
Gone, take your packaged rebellion
Move on, revolution on your sleeve
If you say, mean it
If you mean it, do it
You can't live your life through me
If you do it, live it
If you live it, say it
Action is the air you breathe
[Verse 3]
I saw your act, it came and went
As flaccid as an ex-president
Your ideas are out of place
It's anarchy with a friendly face
Rebel, rebel, don't regret
Fuck 'em up every chance you get
[Solo]
[Chorus]
Gone, take your packaged rebellion
Move on, revolution on your sleeve
If you say, mean it
If you mean it, do it
You can't live your life through me
Gone, take your packaged rebellion
With the air you breathe
Packaged Rebellion was written by Frank Bello & John Bush & Charlie Benante & Scott Ian.
Packaged Rebellion was produced by Anthrax & Dave Jerden.
Anthrax released Packaged Rebellion on Tue May 25 1993.