[Intro]
Count it in, one-two-three-four!
[Verse 1]
Grab a cheap guitar and turn the small amp loud
Find three stubborn chords that can cut through the crowd
Write a little problem on the back of your hand
Then make every downstroke sound like a marching band
[Pre-Chorus]
No polished plan, no waiting for a sign
Make the rough edges fit the line
[Chorus]
Write it fast, play it loud, say the thing you mean
Short sharp verse, big dumb hook, make the floorboards scream
If the first take falls apart, tape the pieces to the wall
That’s how you make a punk rock song
That’s how you make a punk rock song
[Verse 2]
Put the kick on four and let the snare crack back
Keep the bass on course like a runaway train track
Give the singer words that can survive the night
Something folks can yell before they get it right
[Pre-Chorus]
No velvet rope, no sacred shrine
Leave a little room for the mess to shine
[Chorus]
Write it fast, play it loud, say the thing you mean
Short sharp verse, big dumb hook, make the floorboards scream
If the first take falls apart, tape the pieces to the wall
That’s how you make a punk rock song
That’s how you make a punk rock song
[Bridge]
Cut the intro, kill the solo, keep the chorus on its feet
Turn the doubt into a backbeat, turn the panic into heat
When somebody says it’s simple, tell them simple takes nerve
Four loud minutes, no detour, give the people what they deserve
[Instrumental]
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Whoa-oh-oh!
[Final Chorus]
Write it fast, play it loud, say the thing you mean
Short sharp verse, big dumb hook, make the floorboards scream
If the first take falls apart, tape the pieces to the wall
That’s how you make a punk rock song
That’s how you make a punk rock song
[Outro]
Count it out, let the last chord hang
No perfect ending, just a battered amp clang
Write it fast, play it loud, then do it all again
That’s how you make a punk rock song
That’s how you make a punk rock song