Released: June 12, 2020

Songwriter: Bruce Springsteen

Producer: Jake Pitts

[Verse 1]
41 shots
And we'll take that ride
Across the bloody river
To the other side
41 shots
Cut through the night
You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life

[Pre-Chorus]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret, my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin

[Chorus]
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots

[Verse 2]
41 shots
Mary gets her son ready for school
She says, "On these streets, Alex
You've got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you
Promise me you'll always be polite
And that you'll never ever run away
Promise Mama, you'll keep your hands in sight"

[Pre-Chorus]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret, my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin

[Guitar Solo]

[Bridge]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)

[Verse 3]
41 shots
And we'll take that ride
Across the bloody river
To the other side
41 shots
I got my boots caked with this mud
We're baptized in these waters
And in each other's blood

[Pre-Chorus]
Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
That ain't no secret (That ain't no secret)
It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret)
No secret my friend
You get killed just for living in your American skin

Black Veil Brides

Black Veil Brides (ca. 2006-present) is an American rock band that originally formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, by Andy Biersack. According to bassist Ashley Purdy, Black Veil Brides is a Roman Catholic term to describe a woman who marries into the church and gives up all the pleasures of life to devote her life to God. Purdy explained in an interview that this is “Sorta similar to a rock band where you have to give up many things in pursuit of what you’re passionate about or believe in… It all tends to fit really well for a dark and heavy rock band.”

The band’s lyrics often carry messages aimed at those who feel like outcasts in society. In an interview, Purdy said of the message the band sends to its listeners:

We carry a message of believing in yourself and letting no one tell you otherwise…Anything strange, odd, or unique…we embrace that. So basically standing up for yourself; have fun and live your life how you choose. You only have one life, make the most of it.

From the album
Black Veil Brides popular songs