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Operation Ivy was an American punk rock band from Berkeley, California formed in May 1987. The band was stylistically important as one of the first bands to mix the elements of hardcore punk and ska into an amalgamation called "ska punk" and was critical to the emergence of Lookout Records and the so-called "East Bay Sound." The band name was derived from the Operation Ivy series of nuclear tests. Although the band released just one full-length album Read Full BioOperation Ivy was an American punk rock band from Berkeley, California formed in May 1987. The band was stylistically important as one of the first bands to mix the elements of hardcore punk and ska into an amalgamation called "ska punk" and was critical to the emergence of Lookout Records and the so-called "East Bay Sound." The band name was derived from the Operation Ivy series of nuclear tests. Although the band released just one full-length album, Energy, before breaking up in May 1989, Operation Ivy is known as the antecedent of the band Rancid and for its stylistic influence over numerous later bands.

Jesse Michaels – vocals
Tim Armstrong – guitar
Matt Freeman – bass
Dave Mello – drums

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01Sound System Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

02Knowledge Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

03Unity Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

04Take Warning Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

05Bombshell Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

06Jaded Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

07The Crowd Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

08Bad Town Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

09Bankshot Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

10Freeze Up Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

11Vulnerability Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

12Artificial Life Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

13One of These Days Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

14Gonna Find You Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

15Caution Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

16Room Without a Window Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

17Smiling Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

18Here We Go Again Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

19Big City Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

20Hoboken Operation Ivy

Operation Ivy

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Sound System
Operation Ivy Lyrics

Sound system gonna bring me back up
One thing that I can depend on

Try to describe to the limit of my ability
It's there for a second, then its given up what it used to be

Contained in my music somehow more than just sound
This inspiration coming and twisting things around
Because you always know that it's gonna have to go
You always know that you'll be back in the cold
Point of departure sublimated in a song
It's always coming to give me that hope
For just a second then its gone but

Static pulse inside of music bringing us escape
It's always temporary changing nothing in its wake
Just a second where we're leaving all this shit behind
Just a second but its leaving just this much in mind
To resist despair that second makes you see
To resist despair because you can't change everything
To resist despair in this world is what it is to be free

Wake up turn my box on
Bust the shade let the sun in
Times getting tougher bout time to start running
Box in my hand music by my side
Skanking to the rhythm of the music by my side

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DAVID M MELLO, JESSE MICHAELS, ROGER MATTHEW FREEMAN, TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

dandy.

3y↑40

Sound system gonna bring me back up
Yeah one thing that I can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up
Yeah one thing that I can depend on

Try to describe it to the limit of my ability
It's there for a second then it's giving up what it used to be
Contained in my music somehow more than just sound
This inspiration coming and twisting things around

Because you always know that it's gonna have to go
You always know that you'll be back in the cold
Point of departure sublimated in a song
It's always coming to give me that hope for just a second then it's gone, but

Sound system gonna bring me back up
Yeah one thing that I can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up, yeah
Yeah one thing that I can depend on

Static pulse inside of music bringing us escape
It's always temporary changing nothing in its wake
Just a second where we're leaving all this shit behind
Just a second but it's leaving just this in my mind

To resist despair that second makes you see
To resist despair because you can't change everything
To resist despair in this world is
What it is what it is what it is to be free

Sound system gonna bring me back up
Yeah one thing that I can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up
Yeah one thing that I can depend on

Sound system
Sound system
Sound system

Wake up, turn my box on, bust the shade, let the sun in
Times are getting tougher 'bout time to start running
Box in my hand, music by my side
Skanking to the rhythm of the music by my side

Sound system gonna bring me back up, right
Yeah one thing that I can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up, yeah
Yeah one thing that I can depend on

Sound system gonna bring me back up, right
Yeah one thing that I can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up, yeah
Yeah one thing that I can depend on

Sound system
Sound system

Alif A E

32w↑1

👅👅👅

Sound system gonna bring me back up (yeah)
One thing that i can depend on
Sound system gonna bring be back up (right)
One thing that i can depend on

Try to describe it to the limit of my ability
Its there for a second then its givin up what it used to be
Contained in my music is somehow more than just sound
This inspiration coming and twistin things around
Cuz you always know that its gonna have to go
You always know that youll be back in the cold
Point of departure sublimated in a song
Always comin and givin us hope for a second then its gone but

Sound system gonna bring me back up (right)
One thing that i can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up (yeah)
One thing that i can depend on

Static pulse inside of music bringing us escape
Its always temporary changing nothing in its wake
Just a second while were leaving all this things behind
Just a second but its leaving just this much in mind
To resist despair that second makes you see
To resist despair cuz you cant change everything
To resist despair in this world is
What it is what it is what it is to be free

Sound system gonna bring me back up (right)
One thing that i can depend on
Sound system gonna bring be back up (yeah)
One thing that i can depend on

Oh, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up...

Sound system!
Sound system!

Wake up turn my box on bust the shades let the sun in
Times are gettin tougher bout time to start runnin
Box in my hand
Music by my side
Skankin to the rhythm of the music by my side

Sound system gonna bring me back up (yeah)
One thing that i can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up (right)
One thing that i can depend on

Sound system gonna bring me back up (yeah)
One thing that i can depend on
Sound system gonna bring me back up (right)
One thing that i can depend on

Sound system!
Sound system!

All comments from YouTube:

BlazeLE

11y↑120

how many rude boys does it take to change a light bulb? 4. 1 to drop it and 3 to PICK IT UP! PICK IT UP! PICK IT UP!

punkfan97

16w

this one never gets old

Will Solomon

21w

Ha!

Ken Kovar

24w

make it 4

Ken Kovar

25w

woo

Michael Murray

7y↑184

Punk/ska blend at its finest. Pioneers.

ja50n

10w

@Alberto,Herman Parmigiano Clash , the Ruts , fish bone to name a few

Ken Kovar

24w

@Alberto,Herman Parmigiano the pioneers pioneers

Ken Kovar

24w

@George Prowse clash wasn't ska tho

KaySquay

47w↑1

@Rodrigo Martínez Hernández you couldn't afford it. Why do people argue about what bands are better? The true spirit of punk is being your own person, you're not going to change someone's taste in music by shitting on it

Marshall Dew

1y↑1

@Kameron Naeole they were still pioneers in 3rd Wave Ska though

4 More Replies...

dandy.

3y↑40

Kuro Temprano

5y↑80

I think I must've seen these guys a dozen times at Gilman. Amazing that this little, fleeting band we used to watch with 50 of our friends became such a legend. Then again, not surprised at all. :)

Skunk69 x

2y↑1

They were at some sort of HOMOCORE benefit back in the late 80's, I don't remember though if it was at Gilman.

Manic Mental

5y↑2

Did you really? No offence but a lot of folks clain that and im like how old are you kid? haha Seriously you lucky tho I cant imagine. I got this old vhs of em but its potato quality.

Kuro Temprano

5y↑5

My Getaway - Nah, it just means I'm old! ;)

My Getaway

5y↑3

dude| You seen them at gilman? Man, you lucky!

steve O

35w↑4

On the real this is one of the best albums ever made!!!!!!

dedknedy

It's amazing how influential they were considering they were only together for two years and only had 1 album. 1 19-song album where every song is solid fucking gold! IMO Energy is one of the greatest works in punk history.

Project Delta

3y↑25

a year ago, a guy gave my friend a jacket. she then gave it to me. this jacket has bunch of sewn-on patches on it. one of them says Operation Ivy. I asked, "wtf is that anyway" and here i am. This shits amazing.

Phillip Gillett

8y↑4

9 years later and this song still doesnt get old :)

jims110

10y

Loving this song makes me feel old. Love OP :) Especially Tim, great voice, great beat, great music.

Brandon Herrera

4y↑2

2K17 n this album still vibes n makes my body feel the meaning of wat it's like to be free!!!!

Kizzeret

10y↑3

THE most underrated band of all time

holden2381

10y↑1

I'm 30 now and have been listening to this op album for 15 years now and it never gets old!

Joe Drummer

5y↑1

Hell yes. One the first songs i learned on the drums. Absolutely love these guys

Matt Waller

This album helped make me who I am. It will forever & always be a part of me.

Fuentes Méndez Karen Mariana

6y↑362

i remember when i didn't want to listen to this album because i disliked the cover.
Ladies and gentleman, prejudice is ignorance

InsanityOnABunExtras

41w

This album cover is awesome how is this a turnoff? To each their own, I just can’t relate lol

Emmett Simon

52w

Honestly had a similar thing with the band jellyfish

mauropso

how could u dislike that sexy cover

Consciousness

@John Crafton damnit you guys I love the cover lol

Consciousness

@Rosie ha yeah dude fugazi kicks ass

19 More Replies...

Hootser95

10y

i remember the weekend i bought this album.. i waited all day for fedex to deliver it to my house. ( i miss that feeling when i got it ) and listened to it non-stop that whole entire weekend. op ivy 4 life.

Ash Thompson

Just heard Sound System played live by The Interrupters... and it was pure magic to hear Op Ivy lyrics being belted out in unison by a skankin' crowd. ^.^

James West

2y↑1

One album, one legendary presence.

Alif A E

32w↑1

electric fetus

2y↑2

i'm a pretty old dude these days but i remember in high school listening to this shit on my disc man when going to a hockey game with my pops back in the 90's and it was awesome

Ninja Sniper

5y↑92

Best Operation Ivy song of all time

InsanityOnABunExtras

41w

That one bassline in Jaded is comparable lol

Theneash

5y↑8

Ninja Sniper best band of all time

Ellen Cox

This was my favorite band hands down!

SamuraiTacos

5y↑43

i love playing this at bars and mind fucking people people are like wtf is this

SamuraiTacos

24w

@Ken Kovar yep playing ska at bars is fun

Ken Kovar

24w↑1

I outta try dat

BLUEbalerbals

7y↑205

why does everyone think Tim Armstrong is the front man of Op Ivy? It's Jesse Michaels people; credit where credit it due..

Roland Deschain

52w

HA. You don't know shit. I left work to go to the mini golf/arcade nextdoor to see Common Rider play live. Drunk as shit and high on crack. Kudos.

John Crafton

@Magnaniman He was for sure on the horse for a long time

Biscuit89

No one said that

Kameron Naeole

2y↑1

Penis

MifBif

Jesse's songs also have so much more substance than rancids entire discography.

18 More Replies...

Lauren Emerson

7y↑28

This was one of my favorite bands...twenty five years ago. Shit, I feel old.

Magik Fingers

2y↑1

We are getting old aren't we?

ModMokkaMatti

Same here...used to regularly play this album, along with Rancid, on our Design studio stereo system, back in my Uni daze.

KingdomCome Videos

5y↑1

And they performed this shit. Imagine how they feel...besides beeing rich and...you know.

Brad Arliss

9y↑1

Nothing like a bit of Operation Ivy when you're feeling low :)

tonecot89

Still have this album, on vinyl!!

My name is Tim, I'm a lesser known character

8y↑11

This brings back my childhood/early teen years. So many memories and all good ones.

Anthony Durantine

2y↑2

The song my brain plays before I know either A I’m definitely picking more than I can chew. Or B holy fuck. I got all my teeth... but that sound system always brought me back up

Andre Mercado

4y↑1

a damn classic! love Operation ivy

chillout333222111

10y↑8

i like how they use all their voices instead of one person

o¿o

Wow. So many memories from highschool. I LOVE THIS!

LilKim2772

10y

Gotta be one of my favorites by Op Ivy for sure.

Reese Cee

10y↑1

Billie Joe of Green Day played in Rancid for a show when they first started up. Tim Armstrong asked Billie if he wanted to do more with them, and he declined saying he wanted to stay with Green Day. They came from the exact same place, if anyone has even taken the time to research any of it. What they became is ultimately what they wanted to do. Tim wanted to stay with the more raw, hardcore punk. Green Day, from the beginning, adapted their sound from the more poppy British punk bands.

Matthew Sommerville

6y↑2

Yep, I'm 14 all over again! Punk rock was my first teacher. Love it still.

tripletrash

9y↑1

getting every lyric right feeling like a beast then remembering I'm almost 30...

SHALOM

3y↑2

2019 calling, we want real music to make a comeback.

Jimena B

10y

Badass Band!! Why do us punks gotta be in "hiding" when all were doing is expressing what we believe!?

Amy J

5y↑67

Played this non-stop in the 90s.

xoBlitz

I wasn't alive then and I play this non-stop sometimes, so I think this music held up pretty well. Can't be happier then when I go to the bigger festivals like musink and find teenagers about my age shouting along to all the old punk bands :)

ArsonRaven Garcia

damn same here!! would have said marry me but i'm sure you are..haha.peace! Op Ivy to Rancid!!

Eternal Branches

MEl mel same, but I doubt I would be invested in this band if I was born back then, the internet has come so far since the 90’s I’d probably not even like grunge or ska back then, probably listen to only indie rock, grunge, and hip-hop

Melina Müller

Amy J I wish I would have been born before the 90's:(

honey crisis

4y↑1

big same

1 More Replies...

Ευγένιος Κιορίδης

11y

i love it! I listen it 5 times a day

Sheila Murphy

3y↑1

Would be great to see armstrong make a ska album . Just one more please

edward rutledge

6y↑62

Armstrong has a big sound, but operation ivy is nothing without Michaels

wearethelimitsmd

6y↑4

hell yeah, michaels is where its at

Follower of Christ

6y↑3

+edward rutledge No they just would have had a different sound. Tim would have had a band no matter what.

Josiah Webb

6y↑2

+edward rutledge Word

Jules L

6y↑4

+edward rutledge go back to reddit

Stealth Bobber

No matter what bad things happen in my life. sound system is always there. It's one thing I can depend on.

eltriher

Love this song! <3

Primus Sucks

8y↑44

songs like this make me miss my oversized plaid cut-off old man pants.

INGLAMEO

Primus Sucks when you could buy your all school clothes at a Boy Scout rummage sale for $10

lsammy1313

Punk is in your heart, it's who you are. When people can mature beyond the developmental age of 14 then they will realize that music is only a part of it and when it comes to music, sound and guitar riffs, drums, etc are not solely what it's based off of. Enjoy the song, ignore the comments <3

Blauritis

8y↑63

CALL FOR REUNION! CALL FOR REUNION OF OPERATION IVY!

Don't Be Silly

2y↑1

@Skunk69 x HAHAHAHA yessir!

Skunk69 x

2y↑4

Sometimes Dead is better - Pet Sematary

Skunk69 x

2y↑5

Nope, better dead. There would be way too many asshole youngsters/Rancid fans.

Aut0

4y↑3

the singer doesn't want to come back tho :(

Solid StaleFry

6y↑1

God man I'm 17 and I've been listening to good ol Op Ivy since freshman year, it gives me goosebumps but yet in a great way. OP Ivy will be the best ska/punk band forever.

Solid StaleFry

5y↑1

+PunkzNotDead Peter English please brother

Hidde Batterink

@Dallas the leader Het is nu wel gelukt...

Solid StaleFry

6y↑1

+PunkzNotDead Peter well I'm not trying here to get your attention....

Hidde Batterink

6y↑2

+Dallas the leader i'm 16 so what? you're not special...

Juggling Zero

9y↑2

I always heard the answer as four; simpler - "1 to drop it and 3 to pick it up, pick it up, pick it up. Alternating jokes included "Punks to change a lightbulb? 0 Punks couldn't change anything." Or "Skinheads to change a light bulb? 100. 1 to change it and 99 to watch his back." etc etc.

Grifter

10y

Static pulse inside of music bringing us escape!!!! Its always temporary, changing nothing in its wake!!! Just a second where we're leaving all this shit behind Just a second but its leaving just this much in mind: To resist despair, that second makes you see To resist despair, because you can't change everything To resist despair, in this world is What it is What it is What it is to be free

Zzy

10y

Operation Ivy. No matter how many years go by, this still never stops being meaningful. We will live and die through music, they had it right

William Hinson

5y↑1

Most unappreciated and least "shown love" of all the keep it real ers of the early mid 90 punk. Why do the best guys finish so far last it takes 25 yrs to get just that many views. Why bc they DIDNT SELL OUT!!!' You know what at one time before Green Day punk bands took as one stepPAST 💀 selling out it just didn't happen it was a catch 22 if you were punk you didn't label up. All the ppl that posted their stuff a true thank you to us NOFX MINOR THREAT FUGAZI and even as late as early RANCID but esp the LA Tramps and THESE guys were the best.

nedsammy

11y

Every so often I come back to Operation Ivy, they don't age

Ben Merz

10y

this is the CD that got me into good music if it was not for bands like this i would be a shitty emo kid Satan bless operation ivy and rancid

Collin Hanes

9y↑2

bringing him up as in being happy, it's a metaphor for music being all you need, it'll help you when you're down

Rocker 420

He is preaching the words of truth.

Kaiserkeller

6y↑8

Why are most songs like, 2:00 minutes and a few more seconds? It's soooooo good! Can't it last forever?

Craptainfalcon100

6y↑2

+Queen of Loserville (Karylle Alamon) I always wondered this myself until I started writting my own punk/ska songs. The thing is that it has the same amount of music as a 3 or 4 minute song, but life won't wait for punk rockers so we gotta play it fast.

John Redcorn

6y↑5

+Queen of Loserville (Karylle Alamon) People have shit to do. The concept of punk rock is NO FILLER

Sleazus Christ

+Queen of Loserville (Karylle Alamon) Because that's how op ivy was, fast and great lyrics.

Usheen Coleman

I think how immediate and fast-paced the album is is part of its charm, but that's just my opinion

pigg squigg

6y↑1

+Queen of Loservillie (Karylle Alamon) it will

luis sores

12y

I love this song.it's their best

Intruder Blue

11y↑1

I love both Operation Ivy AND Green Day, and just because alot of people like them dosen't mean they sold out, it just means their hard work is paying off...why are you talking about Green Day on here anyway? stop talking about their popularity and listen to their music, isn't that why your here?

ShinAkuma420

10y

I listen to this song when I try and find the inspiration to express my Talents :)

TFrills

6y↑5

My dad used to play this album for me off of the original white vinyl record back in 2009 when I was 12. The nostalgia brings me to tears.

Eric Ray

The moment you realize OP Ivy is... Dad's Music

KingdomCome Videos

NOW I feel old!

TFrills

6y↑1

@***** johnny Yuma. Was a rebel. He roamed. Through the west. Johnny Yuma. The rebel. He wandered alone.

Adam Rees

6y↑1

+TFrills I was the only kid in my school to listen music like this. Everyone was listening stuff like slipknot or limpbizkit if they wanted to be cool or dr dre and Eminem if they wanted to be even cooler. Some people listen to punk but more stuff like the offspring or greenday. I was the only kid listening to NOFX, rancid, descendents, misfits, sham 69, snuff, mxpx, operation ivy.... the list goes on.

TFrills

6y↑2

@Adam Rees I felt like such a cool kid at that age. Everyone else listened to generic pop music or mainstream rap and Bob Marley if they wanted to pretend to be a stoner, lol. For me it was ska and the Grateful Dead. Because of my dad, of course.

1 More Replies...

Kyle Reid

this was my high school jam!

John Sesame

32w

I was friends with punk rockers in high school and this played all the time

Un sane

2019 and I’m bumping this shit like I’ve never heard it before

Happyjuice

4y↑1

Makes me so happy brings me back to middle school, simpler times back before all the bullshit

Javier Conde

5y↑5

This is the best ska song ever written

achenar caligula

10y↑2

we used to cover some of there songs wayback in early 90's in an underground punk gigs..

Hunter Brady

Where has this ska-punk jam been my whole life?

Skyler Christensen

10y

No Flash Photography is working to keep punk like this alive!!!

s0cal714

11y

Fucking LOVE SKA! god how i miss it iv been falling in to Electronic dance music and this morning i woke up and Sound system was playing in my mind AHHHH imiss it!!!!! Skankin' to the rhythm of the music by my side

Peter Boccaccio

8y↑1

punk was about being angry and we needed music to express that anger and so punk rock did just that

Caroline Russell

11y↑1

I listened to this song because Joseph Gordon-Levitt likes it... it's good xD

sloshvictim

10y↑1

Stay true to yourself and stand up for what u believe in and u will be fine...oh yeah and enjoy some of the best music in existence that most people will never even pay fucking attention to!!!

Søren Rimbaud

So... This is one of your all time favorite Albums. You've listened to it for years... Without Googling it: WHAT IS THE NAME OF THIS ALBUM?

AnimatedDisc

@Kieran Harper I know. why do u think I put "Kappa" at the end...

Kieran Harper

+AnimatedDisc ENERGY

AnimatedDisc

+Drew Hall American Idiot

Kappa

Skunk WR

5y↑46

this is one thing I can depend on

xXxLegendWolfxXx

love this shit. that cool chick showed me this band and i loved it

rafiq burhan

always love operation ivy ska punk music

Martin Hyizna

6y↑1

Wow that's who did this song I fucking loved it AND love it

Anna Dominguez

8y↑1

Man I missed this song

TheMarineReenactor

2y↑1

They’re best song by far

Matthew Cockburn

So happy I grew up in the 90's

septemberfire

11y

these guys were something very very special

Betty Lumpkins

26w

static pulse inside of music bringing us escape
its always temporary changing nothing in its wake
just a second where we are leaving all this shit behind
just a second but we are leaving just this much in mind :
to resist despair that second makes you see
to resist despair because you can't change everything
to resist despair in this world is what it is to be free

Bhairavi

10y

sooooooooooooooo damn good everytime!!!

Matt Lumpkins

10y

static pulse inside of music bringing us escape, its always temporary, changing nothing in its wake. Just a second where we leave all this shit behind, just a second but it leaves this much in mind. to resist despair, what it is to be free...

casereboi66

This song is pure ska and I love it

Dan Brown

38w

Is it possible to listen to this without skanking? I've never managed it...

incomprius

11y

@Djambel what do you mean man? I mean, this speed and execution is an accomplishment. Especially since OP IVY laid the ground work for the so called ska core genre which, in my opinion but with few exceptions should have started and ended with them. they were pretty original. well, as original as you can get when really all music has common roots. you could say "man thats not original ska started in the 50's." but then look at ANY ROCK METAL OR PUNK BAND. all tracable back to blues and shit.

Zac G

this song always brings me back up

Craptainfalcon100

+Jules L Why don't you just let people enjoy their music? Ugh little stupid posers like you who think they're so superior just need to stay out of youtube comments

Zac G

+Jules L i love you

Jules L

+Zak GodisDead go back to reddit

hunter s

Well that changes my mood with a throw back

Jeff Edington

8y↑1

this song reminds me of high school!

pottersbrother1000

ah, the good old days!!!!!!!

Jordi Smulders

11y

STEVIE WONDER IS GREAT!!!! but I fucking love this song. punk/oi/ska!

jaderadar

14w

TO RESIST DESPAIR IN THIS WORLD IS WHAT IT IS TO BE FREE.

Fadedlegend

8y↑3

listened to this while skitching on the back of cars

red fury91

2y↑1

ska punk rock did not exist until these guys invented it and no one ever did it better since

Basard100

i forgot all about this joke, lol.... i remember reading it on the net about 10+ years ago..... thx dude!

Garrett Walker

this is my childhood

Samuel Albert

36w

Punk rock changed my life

TFrills

11y

my dad knew this guy in high school and helped them fight the skinheads at the monte Rio theatre. : )

Corina Guerra

💖✨NOTHING CAN BE CHANGED EXCEPT OURSELVES!!!!

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