Slaves & Bulldozers
Soundgarden · 5 Classic Albums [2012]
Every word I said is what I mean
Everything I gave is what I need
Virgin eyes and dirty looks
on what I have and why I took
Counting all the hands I shook
Now I know why you've been shaking
Now I know why you've been shaking
So bleed your heart out
There's no more rides for free
Bleed your heart out
I said what's in it for me
Everything I've held is what I've freed
Everything I've held is what I've freed
Everything I've shown is what I feel
Buying lies and stealing jokes
and laughing every time I choke
Biding all the time you took
Now I know why you've been taken
Now I know why you've been taken
So bleed your heart out
There's no more rides for free
Bleed your heart out
I said what's in it for me
Slaves & Bulldozers
Slaves & Bulldozers stands as a defining track from Soundgarden's 1991 breakthrough album, Badmotorfinger. The song captures the band's signature grunge aesthetic, blending heavy, distorted riffs with Chris Cornell's soaring, dynamic vocals. Thematically, the recording explores the tension between human vulnerability and industrial force, reflecting the era's cultural shifts. As a centerpiece of the band's discography, it showcases their ability to merge complex musical structures with raw emotional power. The track remains a staple of their live performances and is widely recognized for its intricate composition and powerful delivery. It exemplifies the Seattle sound that brought alternative rock to the forefront of mainstream music during the early 1990s.