The song "Contribution" by Guttermouth is a commentary on the concept of restitution to society and the artist's personal perspective on it. The lyrics convey a strong sense of defiance and refusal to apologize or take responsibility for societal issues. The first verse suggests that the artist's idea of giving back to society is to stay away from it. They believe that any effort to make amends or contribute would be pointless and only result in wasted time and empty gestures. The mention of "empty grants of time" implies that the artist sees any attempts at restitution as simply going through the motions without any real impact. The next few lines criticize the act of cleansing one's conscience through moments of fleeting empathy. The artist suggests that privileged individuals, referred to as "well-to-do's," use this petty empathy as a means to alleviate guilt and sleep soundly at night. This implies a lack of genuine concern for those in need. The chorus further emphasizes the artist's defiance and refusal to apologize or make amends. They bring attention to society at large and question whether it truly cares about their lack of remorse. The lines "Not gonna volunteer my time, to cracked out mothers, all the others" are a direct rejection of offering help to individuals who have wasted opportunities given to them. The artist asserts that they will not say sorry because they simply do not care. The following verse expresses the artist's personal journey and how they have overcome their own struggles and achieved self-sufficiency. They believe that discipline and hard work were paramount in their success. Consequently, they feel that any offerings or contributions they may make should be reciprocated or rewarded in some way, rather than being given freely to those who constantly rely on handouts. In summary, "Contribution" is a song that challenges the traditional concept of restitution to society. The artist refuses to apologize, volunteer their time, or offer any assistance without expecting something in return. Their lyrics convey a sense of self-sufficiency and express a strong disdain for individuals they believe have wasted opportunities.
