The Powers That Be
Read The Powers That Be lyrics by Roger Waters on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
The Powers That Be
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
The powers that be
They like a tough game
No rules
Some you win, some you lose
Competition's good for you
They're dying to be free
They're the powers that be
They like a bomb proof cadillac
Air conditioned, gold taps,
Back seat gun rack, platinum hub caps
They pick horses for courses
They're the market forces
Nice car Jack
They like order, make-up, lime light power
Game shows, rodeos, star wars, TV
They're the powers that be
If you see them come,
You better run - run
You better run on home
Sisters of mercy better join with your brothers
Put a stop to the soap opera right now
They say the toothless get ruthless
You better run on home
You better run - run
You better run on home
The powers that be
They like treats, tricks, carrots and sticks
They like fear and loathing, they like sheep's clothing
And blacked-out vans
Blacked-out vans, contingency plans
They like death or glory, they love a good story
They love a good story
Sisters of mercy better join with your brothers
Put a stop to the soap opera state
They say the toothless get ruthless
Run home before it's too late
You better run - run
You better run on home
Billy: Goodnight, Kim.
Jim: Goodnight, Billy.
Uncle David's Great Dane: Woof, woof, woof!
The canyon - daytime.
Billy plays with
Great Uncle
David's Great Dane.
Paraquat Kelly:
Bull heads, three red snapper,
one pink snapper and your pacific coastal
trench hosemonster fish.
Cynthia Fox: Ohhh!
At Sky David's juke joint
of joy reports,
forty under the console giggle stick link cod
twenty-three purple perches four
sledgehammerhead sharks
And what a surprise,
eightyfour crabs
And no red snappers.
Paraquat Kelly:
Hey and that'll do
for the triumphant return of the fish report with a beat.
Jim:
We think of it as mainstreet
But to the rest of the country
It's Sunset Strip.
You're listening to KAOS in Los Angeles.
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The Powers That Be"?
Roger Waters performs "The Powers That Be", and this lyric page sits inside the Roger Waters catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Powers That Be"?
Yes. The related section below points to It's a Miracle and One Of My Turns with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Roger Waters?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Roger Waters's lyric pages.
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
What people are saying
No listener comments on The Powers That Be yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.