Check Out Your Mind

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a curious sales pitch for an intangible "thing" that promises self-acceptance and freedom from judgment. Introduced as something that "slid in on an oily rag" yet comes in a "brand new bag," the speaker presents an unconventional offering. It's pitched as unique, something "nothin' like you ever saw," and crucially, "not against the law." The core tension lies in the contrast between external searching and internal discovery. The lyrics suggest people often feel "took" or "over looked," having "never found the missing link." They've seemingly "forgot they had a mind to think," missing the inherent power of their own intellect, which has "been with yer all the time." The repeated refrain, "Why don't you check out your mind," functions as both an invitation and a gentle rebuke. This insistent call to introspection, coupled with the initial commercial imagery for an internal concept, creates a striking paradox. The almost hypnotic repetition of the phrase by the end transforms it from a question into an undeniable, empowering truth. The lyrics become effective by first setting up an external solution, then pivoting to reveal the inherent, always-present power of one's own thoughts. The speaker's personal declaration of self-worth – "I'm doing me for all I'm worth" – further grounds this message. It makes the call to "check out your mind" feel less like an order and more like an empowering truth, modeled by the speaker themselves.