What Approved Language is about
About being told to say things nicer. The song takes aim at the filters and careful phrasing that soften anger until it means nothing ("Say concerned, don't say mad") and at institutions that only praise rebels once they're safely in the past tense.
Approved Language lyrics
They gave me a list of words
I’m allowed to use
Said say it nicer
Like truth improves
Every feeling needs a filter
Every thought needs a frame
They don’t fear the anger
They fear who you name
Slow it down
Think it through
Don’t say anything
That sounds like you
Use approved language
Keep it vague
Wrap your fury in something safe
They don’t mind what you feel inside
Just don’t let it sound alive
Use approved language
Tone it down
Don’t upset the room right now
If honesty breaks the rules
Then maybe the rules are useless
They love rebellion in past tense
They love it framed and dead
They quote the fighters after
They’ve cut off what they said
Every edge gets rounded
Every scream gets trimmed
They don’t ban the message
They just soften it till it’s thin
Say concerned
Don’t say mad
Say learning curve
Not this is bad
Use approved language
Stay polite
Anger’s fine if it’s dressed up right
They’ll nod along, they’ll let it pass
As long as it doesn’t punch back
Use approved language
Don’t accuse
Call injustice a different view
If truth needs training wheels
I’ll crash before I kneel
I don’t want volume
I want weight
I don’t want slogans
I want stakes
You can keep your seminars
And your careful breath
I’ve said more truth
With my teeth clenched
Use approved language
I refuse
I won’t dilute the damage done to you
No filter left, no clean disguise
Just blunt force words and open eyes
Use approved language
I’m out
I’d rather be wrong than watered down
If silence is how this survives
Then I’ll be the problem every time
Hey