Today’s post is about Body Count’s remake of the Suicidal Tendencies classic song “Institutionalized.”  The song is from Body Count’s 2014 album entitled “Manslaughter” and features Ice T on vocals.  Although the lyrics in Body Count’s version are much different than in the original version, the theme of the song stays the same.  The protagonist of the song is pissed off by bullshit and is labelled as insane (and better off being institutionalized) by others who can’t accept the fact that some people get pissed off when exposed to shit that, well…pisses them off.

The original Suicidal Tendencies version

In the original version of Institutionalized, released in 1983, the lead singer Mike Muir voices his frustrations about how things don’t always turn out the way he plans and how he needs time to think about things.  This makes his mom think he is on drugs.  Later in the song he sings about how he would like a Pepsi, but his mom would not let him have one, still insisting he was on drugs and how he needed professional help.

Institutionalized by Body Count (2014 Remake)

The 2014 remake, sung by rapper, actor, veteran, badass, etc. Ice T, has more modern, up-to-date lyrics.  In this version, instead of one story being told, there are three shorter stories.  In the first, Ice T sings about his wife getting all up in his shit about playing too much Xbox (based on some bullshit she saw on “Oprah.”)  In the second part of the song, he sings about dealing with internet tech support and the bullshit he has to go through getting his email password recovered over the telephone.  Finally, the last part of the song is about a vegan coworker giving Ice T shit about eating a ham sandwich and his other food choices.

Institutionalized Suicidal Tendencies vs Body Count

For those of you who are familiar with the original version should have no problem with the remake even those the lyrics are different.  One of the best things about the remake, in fact, is the changed lyrics.  In fact this whole album kicks ass.  What do you think about this song and how it compares with the original?  Click here to leave your comments or look for the box below.