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Broken Windows

from Save California by NVS

/
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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Our 2011 release in compact disc form in a sealed sleeve, with earthquake-proof artwork by Kyle Lester from NVS.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Save California via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 7 NVS releases available on Bandcamp and save 70%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Sick Liberty, Make America NVS Again, Good Intentions, Save California, Music To $hop To, Silicon Valley Modern Suicide, and Something Green. , and , .

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lyrics

Welcome to the land of the free
Where the poor get prison and the rich live in gated communities
Whatever happened to public space?
Not in my backyard, this is budding landscape

Change a few laws and incite a scare
Cripple the infrastructure there
Districts evicted, costs inflate
To free up valuable real estate

Crime and homelessness labeled a lifestyle choice
Social contract broken, they have no voice
See? These blighted ghettos are a mess
Gentrification at its best

Vets, addicts, mothers, children, tramps, and blacks
Gotta force these UTE's out ASAP
Round 'em up and keep our assets clean
From NYC to Chavez Ravine

If we pretend
That they're not there
Then maybe they
Will all go away
It's not our fault
Just the result
Of their own choice
To default
You broke your window of opportunity
No culpability

I'm sorry for your plight but quit looking so pissed
I've got my own problems to deal with
Quit begging for change and apply for a job
You ruining my one day off to shop

With your sunken eyes and pungent stink
Don't look at me, I didn't do anything
To deserve to feel so goddamn guilty

If we pretend
That they're not there
Then maybe they
Will all go away
Walk right on by
Cold as the night
Only the strong
Can survive
You broke your window of opportunity
No culpability

There's another two on Pacific Avenue
Can't understand why they choose to live how they do
Avoid eye contact as I briskly walk past
With my shopping bags full of useless crap

If you're going to beg, then you might as well
Tell me a joke or look a little more thankful
Here's my last dime, hey, I feel better already
Time to hit the Mall and spend some money

We need fences, we need borders
Privatize and prevent disorder (REPEAT)

Don't give a shit if there's no public restroom around
Get on the bus and get the fuck out of town
Force 'em out to preserve the American Dream
From San Francisco to New Orleans

Criminalize their means of sustenance
To maximize redevelopment
Giving every hard-working capitalist the right
To the pursuit of property and life

If we pretend
That we're immune
And this cannot
Happen to us
Give it some time
Fiscal decline
You may just cross
The poverty line

Don't break a window 'less you plan to pay the price
Our quality-of-life

Don't go burning bridges 'less you're ready for a fire
Your civil rights expire

© 2008 Walter Campbell/NVS Music, all rights reserved.

credits

from Save California, released April 20, 2011

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all rights reserved

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about

NVS San Jose, California

Started in 1999, NVS is a high-energy band from San Jose, CA blending various influences to create music and lyrics encouraging thought and feeling while embodying the best aspects of late '80s/early '90s alternative rock.

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