So the suburbs were jungle Did you mama make you eat it? You were barely out of high school When your daddy told you 'Beat It'
And repression was a buzzword So you called yourself a victim A victim of repression This court is now in session
With a growl and a guitar You made yourself a name But the fire left the grooves When the first check came
You've been bought (Interests are conflicting) You've been bought (Chemical's addicting)
You've been bought (What goes around, comes around) You'll get caught Get it while you're hot 'cause you know You've been bought
Sold your bad reputation For a deal in Tinseltown Then the video rolls Then the whip comes down
Did you slap around the ladies for the camera? Do you slap them when the camera isn't there? Those are lawyers telling you to look rebellious Pulling strings when your fist goes in the air
This year's rock and roll messiah Come to settle some old score You can save that bad boy posturing I've seen that sneer before
You've been bought (A real heavy sweater?) You've been bought (Elvis did it better)
You've been bought (What goes around, comes around) You'll get caught Get it while you're hot 'cause you know You've been bought
South African promoters call And you wonder if you should But ideals fall like dominoes When the money looks good
We don't need another manufactured rebel We don't want your twisted doctrines of despair If your music's saying nothing save it for the dentist chair
You've been bought (Interests are conflicting) You've been bought (Chemical's addicting)
You've been bought (What goes around, comes around) You'll get caught Get it while you're hot 'cause you know You've been bought
You've been bought You've been bought You'll get caught Get it while you're hot 'cause you know You've been bought, hey