Bob Seger - 2+2=? Lyrics






Yes it's true I am a young man
but I'm old enough to kill
I don't wanna kill nobody
but I must if you so will
And if I raise my hand in question
you just say that I'm a fool
Cause I got the gall to ask you
Can you maybe change the rules
can you stand and call me upstart
Ask what answer can I find, I ain't sayin' I'm a genius
2+2 is on my mind

Well I knew a guy in high school
just an average friendly guy
And he had himself a girlfriend
and you made them say goodbye
Now he's buried in the mud
over foreign jungle land
And his girl just sits and cries
she just doesn't understand
So you say he died for freedom
well if he died to save your lies
Go ahead and call me yellow
2+2 is on my mind

All I know is that I'm young and your rules they are old
If I've got to kill to live
then there's something left untold
I'm no statesman I'm no general
I'm no kid I'll never be
It's the rules not the soldier
that I find the real enemy

I'm no prophet I'm no rebel
I'm just asking you why
I just want a simple answer
why it is I 've got to die
I'm a simple minded guy
2+2 is on my mind





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Bob Seger 2+2=? Comments
  1. J.... S....

    funny how I never heard this on 94.7 rock in Detroit , or Lucifer, Bob Seger System is the best

  2. T.... S....

    Cause I got The Balls to ask You "Why it is I've got to die"

  3. B.... E....

    "If I've got to kill to live, then there's something left untold"


    Such powerful lines

  4. R.... M....

    This is one of the most intense anti war songs ever written. There is a reason for the silence at the end of the song. You need to catch a breath, while listening to it. Damn its powerful. Pure genius. Seger will always be one of the truest artists ever. Rock on Bob

  5. J.... J....

    Dan Honaker on bass.

  6. M.... G....

    For me, this is the best and most chilling, anti-war songs ever recorded! And I did know a guy in high school...RIP Bobby Sabatini

    M.... G....

    I was a nerd. Had a locker partner in high school who was the star of the basketball team. Loved by everyone. He went to vietnam. Never came back. 1 minus 1 is on my mind. Seger is part of the reason I'm alive today.

  7. R.... M....

    Tarantino!! Why didn't you use this in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood?!

  8. D.... D....

    Took my girlfriend to see him at Trenton High School in January 1971. There were only about 10 people there. Unbelievable. They played three songs and left. I’m quite sure this was one of them.

  9. P.... W....

    Today 2+2=0

  10. J.... B....

    Why are so many of the most important words on this version of this song muffled or not even heard?

  11. a.... ....

    I remember back when I was in high school, this song came out and people all across this country protesting Viet-Nam; Nixon had this song banned from the airwaves. The draft and the war ended. Thank GOD!

    a.... ....

    Since when did an US president have such power to ban a song from the airwaves? I'm sure it was the individuals stations themselves.

  12. l.... ....

    I was just a teenager in junior high school when this song came out. This is one of the guys whom I believe inspired me, who came outta Detroit. We had some of the best rock musicians that came out of it!
    Ted Nugent and Amboy Dukes, MC5, Frigid Pink, The Frost, Grand Funk Railroad, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop and The Stooges....then..in addition...Motown and all their contributions.

    l.... ....

    Detroit births great Artists to this day. One reason i wanna visit some day :-)

  13. N.... C....

    This is the best early Seger song NOT on "Live Bullet"

    N.... C....

    Why are you mentioning an LP that was from 7 years later?

  14. J.... W....

    The draft took my cousins Joey and Augie to that fucked up Vietnam. I am still angry. They were beautiful boys, my grandma cried all the way to heaven.

    J.... W....

    so sad. this is terrible. so sorry

  15. T.... T....

    Seger repents here, wildly and beautifully, for his earlier tune "The Ballad of the Yellow Beret" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pBdL8chkuM], specifically in the line "go ahead and call me yellow, 2 + 2 is on my mind." A lot changed between 1966 and 1969....

  16. A.... N....

    I don’t like this sorry homie

  17. B.... K....

    haven't heard it in decades but remember every word and nailed the break at the end!

  18. M.... M....

    this one of the best soldiers music of all the century

  19. m.... ....

    killer song....

  20. R.... E....

    that's sum cold ass shit, the govt. calls ya up, to fight a war when you can't even buy a fuckin' beer...….……….

  21. m.... b....

    good heavy psych hard rock ilove it rock on rock hard

  22. S.... ....

    Mp 45 was here ?

    S.... ....

    508@rize

  23. A.... H....

    Brillant!!!

  24. J.... B....

    Back when Seger mattered.

    J.... B....

    maybe you havent noticed, but he still does

  25. c.... ....

    2+2 = you don't have to be a genius to go fighting in Vietnam is pointless.

  26. P.... ....

    Astonishing track. Like The Yardbirds backing up a real-life kid with a low draft-number who's pouring out his terror and confusion to the world. Seger has NEVER been stronger or more soulful than he was on this track.

    P.... ....

    Agree 100%!!!!

  27. f.... ....

    Bring it !!

  28. S.... R....

    We played this album in Vietnam all the time, Doors, Hendrix, Rare Earth, and Eric Burdon. Those were the days my friend.

  29. C.... s....

    Listen to The Yellow Beret, Bob had a totally different mindset about the Vietnam war back then. Love this song though

  30. T.... ....

    Two plus two is four,
    Minus one that's three,
    Quick maths

  31. I.... H....

    4 - 1 thats 3 quick mafs

  32. G.... M....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wkr_vf18cw

  33. c.... t....

    The intro sounds like Eric Burdon. Great track. Every bit as good as Fortunate Son

    c.... t....

    Better, IMHO

  34. P.... ....

    Yo is this shit on spotify or what

  35. j.... r....

    great anti war song

  36. B.... S....

    Michigan backwards in ice at her feet.

    B.... S....

    Stephen paraski what are you talking about? I don't get you. and i'm from Michigan.

    B.... S....

    John,Look at the album cover art. Michigan is backwards at her feet

  37. P.... L....

    Saw Bob Seger do this song live at Rondeau Pavillion south of Chathan Ontario ... 1968 or 69. Do you remember Bob Seger and the Last Heard? Cover charge was $ 1.50 tax in. not $ 150 like I paid two years ago in St John NB (Harbour Station) Google it!

  38. B.... M....

    How the fuck have I never heard this?

    B.... M....

    Think you're the only one? It's seldom played.

  39. k.... ....

    What meaning.......

  40. s.... 1....

    Can someone help me I can't find it on anything else other than YouTube

  41. S.... E....

    'War never changes'

  42. E.... I....

    Yes it's true I am a young man
    but I'm old enough to kill
    I don't wanna kill nobody
    but I must if you so will
    And if I raise my hand in question
    you just say that I'm a fool
    Cause I got the gall to ask you
    Can you maybe change the rules
    can you stand and call me upstart
    Ask what answer can I find, I ain't sayin' I'm a genius
    2+2 is on my mind

    Well I knew a guy in high school
    just an average friendly guy
    And he had himself a girlfriend
    and you made them say goodbye
    Now he's buried in the mud
    over foreign jungle land
    And his girl just sits and cries
    she just doesn't understand
    So you say he died for freedom
    well if he died to save your lies
    Go ahead and call me yellow
    2+2 is on my mind

    All I know is that I'm young and your rules they are old
    If I've got to kill to live
    then there's something left untold
    I'm no statesman I'm no general
    I'm no kid I'll never be
    It's the rules not the soldier
    that I find the real enemy

    I'm no prophet I'm no rebel
    I'm just asking you why
    I just want a simple answer
    why it is I 've got to die
    I'm a simple minded guy
    2+2 is on my mind

  43. L.... ....

    listen to this before every math test

    L.... ....

    😂😂 1+0 is on my mind

    L.... ....

    @Familienfreundlich :D 1+0 = e^(2i*pi)

  44. M.... M....

    Sad this isn't on apple music... Easily one of my favorite songs. I'm 18 and I absolutely love it, can't imagine how it was when it first came out

  45. J.... D....

    Bob never held anything back, no hidden meaning

    J.... D....

    John Driscoll I'm a "baby boomers" (53); grew up watching the war every night on the news & listening to Bob on the radio. I'm an idiot!! i just really listened to the lyrics & i never realized what this song was about--my God I love it even more now!!!!✌💜👣

  46. m.... ....

    Trump made me think of this song

    m.... ....

    hillary for prison

    m.... ....

    Listen to 'Masters of War' if you REALLY want to think of Trump.

  47. P.... B....

    amezing song...

  48. N.... ....

    This song actually has no copyright or patten anymore so it's practically royalty free at this point.

    N.... ....

    Bob Seger is still alive, he wrote it, how does he not own it?

    N.... ....

    isn't seger dead?

    N.... ....

    You're thinking of Pete Seger, Bob Seger is alive and well.

    N.... ....

    Even then, it's a 75 year wait after they're dead until it goes royalty free AFAIK.

  49. J.... S....

    I was 19 when this song came out. I am happy it is still relevant and appreciated by some.

    J.... S....

    The song is so deep and real it is frighting, nice greetings from Vienna, Austria.

  50. R.... A....

    One of the coolest and truest songs I ever heard,totally bad ass!!!!

  51. m.... m....

    Why can't I find a place to buy this?? Anyone here know a place?

    m.... m....

    Bob Seger for some reason really hates his first 5 records and said he will never reissue them. Ebay or discogs are the way to go.

  52. F.... ....

    Yes it's true I am a young man
    but I'm old enough to kill
    I don't wanna kill nobody
    but I must if you so will
    And if I raise my hand in question
    you just say that I'm a fool
    Cause I got the gall to ask you
    Can you maybe change the rules
    can you stand and call me upstart
    Ask what answer can I find, I ain't sayin' I'm a genius
    2+2 is on my mind

    Well I knew a guy in high school
    just an average friendly guy
    And he had himself a girlfriend
    and you made them say goodbye
    Now he's buried in the mud
    over foreign jungle land
    And his girl just sits and cries
    she just doesn't understand
    So you say he died for freedom
    well if he died to save your lies
    Go ahead and call me yellow
    2+2 is on my mind

    All I know is that I'm young and your rules they are old
    If I've got to kill to live
    then there's something left untold
    I'm no statesman I'm no general
    I'm no kid I'll never be
    It's the rules not the soldier
    that I find the real enemy

    I'm no prophet I'm no rebel
    I'm just asking you why
    I just want a simple answer
    why it is I 've got to die
    I'm a simple minded guy

    2+2 is on my mind

  53. F.... ....

    lol What is that ? That's really good, such energy !

  54. B.... B....

    My all time favorite Bob Steger song.

  55. r.... ....

    Absolutely gear... - the one & only Truth about War (Greetings from Germany to the Artists). :-/

  56. M.... ....

    Uncle Bob you knew this song was the best, I could never understand why Vietnam war had to be so bad

    M.... ....

    We were soldiers, wraps it up nicely, with, I think, a clear point of view on the hell it was there.

  57. J.... H....

    2 + 2 = 5

    J.... H....

    Oh hey, bro. Good surprise to see somebody from Livethunder here. Great song, isn't it?

    J.... H....

    +LuckyleprechaunGER is perfect

    J.... H....

    2 + 2 = fish

    J.... H....

    la li lu le lo

    J.... H....

    No 2+2 = "Medium size." piranha. 2+2+1 = fish. XD you need to learn from me, i actually used this idea to do math correctly when i was in Elementary and Jr High, Because i suck at Math. :P XD

  58. c.... g....

    this song is fucking brilliant and it is the best anti war song bar none.

    c.... g....

    Hate the hippy bullshit but this song is badass

    c.... g....

    I thought so too, until I heard "And the band played waltzing Matilda" by the Pogues.

    c.... g....

    Edwin Starr!

    c.... g....

    "An Untitled Protest" by Country Joe and The Fish i pretty damn good. Haunting.

    c.... g....

    Sky pilot by Eric Burden is a great one too!

  59. H.... O....

    so sicj

  60. L.... P....

    The best antiwar song ever.

    L.... P....

    Masters of War is up there, too.

  61. v.... ....

    I know I have no clue what it was like back when the draft was active and wondering if you were going to be sent to 'Nam, but this song seems to apply to every war we have been in since then. Really makes you think, at least it does with me.

    v.... ....

    +videowatcher495 i was #2 on the list 1969... went to canada . lol

    v.... ....

    I remember what it was like to come everyday and look into that damn mail box, just waiting for the draft notice, fortunately, it never did come for me, but I had a lot of friends that were not so lucky. This is the song that made me hate that damn war.

    v.... ....

    We welcomed in many of you with open arms. Some may be pissed off you dodged the draft however vietnam was pointless. Nothing changed, still communist which is the reason for the war to begin with. Years of war, billions spent, tens of thousands dead and just like that over...

  62. B.... 7....

    that bass line man

  63. M.... G....

    écouté en 1968, pas de rides, génial

  64. E.... N....

    I shelled out 28 bucks for the 7" 45 from discogs, worth every penny compared to this POS mix that ended up on the album.

  65. j.... ....

    Recorded back when stereo was stereo.

    j.... ....

    Mixing by Epileptic Rag Doll.

  66. C.... F....

    i played this on 2 tabs by mistake
    i liked it

  67. D.... S....

    One of the best songs ever written!

  68. D.... N....

    Seriously one of the greatest recordings ever...

  69. r.... ....

    One of the greatest GARAGE-PUNK (and Anti-War-)Tracks there ever was... ;-)

    r.... ....

    I've often thought that this might be the quintessentially ORIGINAL garage song.

    r.... ....

    @Mike Leflar : Yep!! - - And me... - Me, I think you're quite RIGHT!!! - (reverential Greetings from Germany). - - "Old Ritterle" ;-)

    r.... ....

    This would make such a great punk song

    r.... ....

    @Al Viera : Yep!!! - You're right, absolut surely!!! :-)

  70. M.... R....

    Still gives me a chill......Love is so hard for some to know.

  71. J.... F....

    whoa  flash backs

  72. c.... w....

    supernatural

  73. G.... F....

    Alguien sabe donde la puedo descargar ,porque en itunes no la encuentro

  74. b.... b....

    What a GREAT flash back!

    b.... b....

    +Dak Lamerbusch Bob Seger is NOT a guitar God........great writer and good vocalist but "guitar god should be reserved for Robin Trower, or Joe Satriani, or Eddie Van Halen ect.........Bob isn't in the same league.

    b.... b....

    Oops! Did I say that? I certainly must have been thinking of someone else when I wrote that! I think Eric Clapton:^/ (And for the record, Van Halen has great guitar, but it's a pretty sucky band in my opinion.)

    b.... b....

    Check out my personal guitar god :) Tommy Bolin! He's from the 70's and sadly no longer with us! Check out my favorite "Post Toastee".  

    b.... b....

    +barb balaska Can do!:D

    b.... b....

    @Dak Lamerbusch Are you in 716? 

  75. c.... ....

    Yes it's true I am a young man
    But I'm old enough to kill
    I don't want to kill nobody
    But I must if you so will

    And if I raise my hand in question
    You just say that I'm a fool
    Cause I got the gall to ask you
    Can you maybe change the rule

    And you stand and call me up-start
    Ask what answer can I find
    I ain't sayin I'm a genius

    [Chorus]
    Two plus two is on my mind
    Two plus two is on my mind
    [Chorus]

    Well I knew a guy in high school
    Just an average, friendly guy
    And he had himself a girlfriend
    And you made them say goodbye

    Now he's buried in the mud
    Of a foreign jungle land
    And his girl just sits and cries
    She just doesn't understand

    So you say he died for freedom
    Well he just died to save your lies
    Go ahead and call me yellow

    [Chorus]

    All I know is that I'm young
    And your rules say I'm old
    If I've got to kill to live
    Then there's something left untold

    I'm no statesman, I'm no general
    I know that I'll never be
    It's the rules, not the soldier
    That are my real enemy

    I'm no prophet, I'm no rebel
    I'm just asking you why
    I just want a simple answer
    Why it is I've got to die

    I'm a simple minded guy
    Two plus two is on my mind
    Two plus two is on my mind
    Two plus two is on my mind

    c.... ....

    Thanks for posting the words..Many of the important lyrics you can't understand on this version. Intentional?

  76. d.... ....

    Pretty sure this song is still banned from average radio stations….it's the truth

  77. A.... G....

    what a burner

    A.... G....

    what the

  78. b.... ....

    Fantastic tune

  79. p.... s....

    Original name of the album was "Tales of lucy blue

    p.... s....

    you are correct,nice.

    p.... s....

    That'd make more sense considering the album cover

  80. T.... A....

    Just barely Junior High.  Idolized Bob Seger, and this song unequivocally defined the war for me.  This was one of his best along with his Greatest song, Ramblin' Gamblin' Man.   

  81. A.... E....

    I was a Jr in H.S. when this album came out... My draft number was a dismal 56 and I knew I would go.....so 2 + 2 was on my mind!  Also the Doors "Five to One" both epic Vietnam Era songs. Happy to have survived and still have my ears to listen to these classics... Peace Out to All!

    A.... E....

    I feel you. My number was 5.

    A.... E....

    Thank you for your service, sir!

    A.... E....

    my gramps was in this war, (before he died in 2009) he said that he was wigging all the time.

    A.... E....

    My draft number was 5. Thankfully the draft ended before I was called up

  82. G.... C....

    Think deeply of simple things.

  83. H.... L....

    FIGGY NUGE FIGGY NUGE

  84. W.... N....

    Dawg city, it too deep, got lost ducking Agent Orange, incoming, incoming, transmission lost, transmission lost, over, over. Can you copy? Over, copy? Dawg city, dawg city, read me? Over. Dawg city out.

  85. W.... Z....

    that's the only bob seger song which is remotely similar. He meant that "2+2" is on his mind

  86. W.... Z....

    and this isn't two plus two?

  87. p.... ....

    I quit listening after the Last Heard broke up, but these guys made me proud to be from Detroit. The song remains the same,

  88. O.... ....

    Bass & drums really start layin' into it about 1:31. Cheers, '62 Mathew St. (Total Retro Rock)

  89. p.... ....

    such a great song!

  90. r.... ....

    The greatest anti Vietnam war song that most people have never heard .... Michigan Rocks

  91. J.... W....

    jack white

  92. T.... ....

    Does anyone remember the Roadhouse Exit Band ???? Or the Joey Baker Blues Band.

  93. T.... ....

    How about one of the best rock and roll bars ,,,West Side Six ??? 6 Mile and Telegraph.

    T.... ....

    Remember Bobby's at 5 and Telegraph ?

  94. T.... ....

    If you all remember the early bob , then who remembers Road House Exit or the Joey Baker Blues Band or the Full Tilt Boogie Ball Room in Monroe ?????

  95. p.... ....

    allen park civic arena....first concert...$2.50 a ticket...saw ted nugent there for 3 bucks....