Meaning of "I've Had It" by Black Flag

The lyrics of "I've Had It" by Black Flag reveal a deep sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with various aspects of life. The narrator expresses frustration with work, referring to the boss as a jerk and feeling unable to go to work. This highlights the oppressive nature of the work environment and suggests an overwhelming feeling of discontent. Similarly, the mention of not having time for school suggests a lack of interest or enthusiasm for education, possibly due to feeling unfulfilled or unsupported in that area. The narrator's disdain for the people around them is evident in the line "The fuckers are fools," emphasizing a sense of frustration and disappointment with society as a whole.

The repeated line "I'm going to explode, I've had it" serves as a central theme running throughout the lyrics, capturing the narrator's extreme emotional state. It portrays a sense of being on the edge, reaching a breaking point due to the accumulation of grievances and stress. The narrator feels overwhelmed, losing their patience and struggling to cope with the various sources of frustration in their life.

Furthermore, the lyrics reflect a sense of aimlessness and lack of purpose. The narrator mentions lying around with the TV on and not doing anything, illustrating a sense of apathy and idle existence. They are waiting for a call, possibly for some form of connection or escape from their current circumstances, but they don't know where to fall, implying a lack of direction or guidance.

The line "I'm tired of fuckin' lines, I'm losing my mind" suggests a weariness with societal norms and expectations. The narrator is fed up with the superficiality and the pressure to conform, highlighting a desire for authenticity and individuality.

The final lines of the lyrics touch upon a sense of disillusionment. The reference to killing dreams implies a loss of hope and a resignation to the reality of life's limitations. The mention of playing guitar for their car suggests a shallow pursuit of pleasure or escape rather than striving for meaningful achievements. The line "And I won't get very far" reflects a pessimistic outlook, indicating a belief that their current circumstances will ultimately hold them back from reaching their potential.

Overall, "I've Had It" portrays a profound sense of frustration, discontent, and disillusionment with various aspects of life. The lyrics capture the narrator's overwhelming emotional state and their struggle to find meaning and fulfillment amid societal pressures and disappointments.