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Shoplifter Lyrics

Shoplifter, you'll never learn
When you commit the crime
Shoplifter, you're getting burned
And now you gotta do the time

It's a 1 2 3 on the felony
Well, not everything is free
Now that you served the community
It's the life of a petty thief

It's not considered stealing
Unless you're getting caught
But it isn't called stealing
Tryin' to take something you haven't got

Shoplifter, you'll never learn
What lies behind your back
Not a burglar or a bank robber
Just a kleptomaniac

It's not considered stealing
Unless you're getting caught
But Jimmy caught stealing
Tryin' to take something you haven't got

Shoplifter, you'll never learn
When you commit the crime
Shoplifter, you're gettin' burned
And now you gotta do the time
Oh, now you gotta do the time
Oh, now you gotta do some time
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22 Meanings

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Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

I think it's about St. Jimmy (aka the Jesus of Surburbia) having to steal things to survive on the streets.

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

I think this one is self-explanatory. It's a pretty good song.

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

post the correct lyrics:

Shoplifter, you'll never learn When you commit the crime Shoplifter, you're getting burned And now you gotta do the time

It's a 1 2 3 on the felony Well not everything is free Now that you've served the community It's the life of a petty thief

It's not considered stealing Unless you're getting caught But you've been caught stealing Tryin' to take something you haven't got

Shoplifter, you'll never learn What lies behind your back Not a burgler or a bankrobber But a kleptomaniac

It's not considered stealing Unless you're getting caught But you've been caught stealing Tryin' to take something you haven't got

Shoplifter, you'll never learn When you commit the crime Shoplifter, you're getting burned And now you gotta do the time And now you gotta do the time And now you gotta do some time

if anyone has any other correction please correct where needed

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

corrected version up now, sorry about the wrong lyrics before

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

is it me, or is the melody behind

It's not considered stealing Unless you're getting caught But you've been caught stealing Tryin' to take something you haven't got

VERY VERY familiar? I can't put a finger on where I've heard it before....

It sounds like Brat.

Not Valid

@orang55 The melody of the song in general sounds like The Clash's "Bankrobber."

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

I heard that this song had relation to the rest of the "American Idiot" story. It's about how Jesus of Suburbia and Jimmy have to steal things to get by when they are living on the streets.

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

littleermingdude is right about this song, it's about how when Jesus of Suburbia has taken on the identity of rebellious St. Jimmy, he has to steal.

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

orang55, It sounded familiar to me too. I think the line "Tryin to take something you haven't got" has the same melody as "For blood, sex, and booze you give me." However, I don't have my iPod with me right now so I'm not sure. I agree with fruitonpie as to the meaning.

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

little correction:

Shoplifter, you'll never learn What lies behind your back Not a burgler or a bankrobber JUST a kleptomaniac

Nyways...not something big...

Cover art for Shoplifter lyrics by Green Day

This song sounds like it was originally part of Homecoming on the American Idiot. Apparently, Homecoming was supposed to be 10 minutes long, and it falls just short. It probably went in between The Death of St. Jimmy and East 12th Street, because in E 12th St., Jimmy/Jesus is caught for doing something, and it would definitely complete the story. Anyways...I kinda like this song. It's not great, but it's catchy and the lyrics are funny.