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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.

4y↑56

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

2y↑3

👅👅👅

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

12y↑182

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!

Montiebekkit

38w

Literally the greatest comment

punkfan97

this one never gets old

Will Solomon

Ha!

Ken Kovar

make it 4

2 More Replies...

Michael Murray

8y↑204

Punk/ska blend at its finest. Pioneers.

Darius Reed

39w

Dont get me wrong Op Ivy is really fucking good but Sublime are still the kings of ska/reggae and punk

ja50n

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

Ken Kovar

@Alberto,Herman Parmigiano the pioneers pioneers

Ken Kovar

@George Prowse clash wasn't ska tho

KaySquay

2y↑1

@Rodrigo Mtz. 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

5 More Replies...

Kuro Temprano

6y↑91

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

3y↑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

6y↑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

6y↑6

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

My Getaway

6y↑4

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

dandy.

4y↑56

Project Delta

4y↑34

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.

Alif A E

2y↑3

Kizzeret

11y↑6

THE most underrated band of all time

dedknedy

10y

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.

Brandon Herrera

5y↑2

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

Phillip Gillett

9y↑4

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

holden2381

11y↑5

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

Alexandria Farkas

40w

Now you’re 40.

Bang Daddy Paddy

50w

Are you still listening

steve O

2y↑5

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

Matt Waller

4y↑1

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

Alex Chase

6y↑1

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

Hootser95

11y

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.

Brady S

50w↑2

Awesome song. Credit the heavy with Andrew and Don podcast for helping me get out of my Blink 182 bubble

Kennedy Ivy

50w↑1

Blink is still good, especially enema of the state and earlier

nozrep

35w

man this is cool. Just discovered them while watching a video about Green Day history. Fascinating! I was briefly “into” skapunk when it was “on its way out” in the late 90’s, youngster that I was. I hope a new “ska craze” happens again. lol.

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. ^.^

Ninja Sniper

6y↑95

Best Operation Ivy song of all time

FetusSupreme

1y↑1

Screeching weasel p dope too🤙

InsanityOnABunExtras

2y↑1

That one bassline in Jaded is comparable lol

Theneash

6y↑7

Ninja Sniper best band of all time

Matthew Sommerville

7y↑2

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

James West

3y↑1

One album, one legendary presence.

electric fetus

3y↑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

Brad Arliss

10y↑3

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

Fuentes Méndez Karen Mariana

7y↑359

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

InsanityOnABunExtras

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

Emmett Simon

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...

tonecot89

Still have this album, on vinyl!!

Ellen Cox

This was my favorite band hands down!

Anthony Durantine

3y↑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

jims110

11y

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

My next shot won't miss

9y↑11

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

Andre Mercado

5y↑1

a damn classic! love Operation ivy

Lauren Emerson

8y↑29

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

Magik Fingers

3y↑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

6y↑1

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

o¿o

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

SHALOM

4y↑2

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

tripletrash

10y↑1

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

LilKim2772

11y

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

Reese Cee

11y↑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.

Jimena B

11y

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

William Hinson

6y↑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.

chillout333222111

12y↑8

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

Grifter

11y

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

Sheila Murphy

4y↑1

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

Primus Sucks

9y↑45

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

eltriher

10y

Love this song! <3

Juggling Zero

10y↑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.

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

Ευγένιος Κιορίδης

12y

i love it! I listen it 5 times a day

Intruder Blue

12y↑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?

Amy J

6y↑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!!

Blue Solace

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

5y↑1

big same

1 More Replies...

edward rutledge

7y↑63

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

wearethelimitsmd

7y↑4

hell yeah, michaels is where its at

Follower of Christ

7y↑3

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

Josiah Webb

7y↑2

+edward rutledge Word

Jules L

7y↑4

+edward rutledge go back to reddit

John Sesame

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

SamuraiTacos

6y↑46

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

SamuraiTacos

@Ken Kovar yep playing ska at bars is fun

Ken Kovar

1y↑1

I outta try dat

nedsammy

12y

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

s0cal714

12y

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

luis sores

13y

I love this song.it's their best

Un sane

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

BLUEbalerbals

8y↑204

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

John Crafton

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

Biscuit89

No one said that

MifBif

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

20 More Replies...

Collin Hanes

10y↑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.

Kyle Reid

10y

this was my high school jam!

degenerozzdentorandrozzidsynthclairwhatever

37w

i miss being addicted to this

Ben Merz

11y

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

Happyjuice

5y↑1

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

ShinAkuma420

11y

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

Skyler Christensen

11y

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

Blauritis

9y↑63

CALL FOR REUNION! CALL FOR REUNION OF OPERATION IVY!

Don't Be Silly

3y↑1

@Skunk69 x HAHAHAHA yessir!

Skunk69 x

3y↑4

Sometimes Dead is better - Pet Sematary

Aut0

5y↑3

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

1 More Replies...

incomprius

12y

@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.

Hunter Brady

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

Kaiserkeller

7y↑8

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

Craptainfalcon100

7y↑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

7y↑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

7y↑1

+Queen of Loservillie (Karylle Alamon) it will

achenar caligula

11y↑2

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

RoachDoggJr

This song is pure ska and I love it

Betty Lumpkins

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

Kris Kurz

Almost everyone in my Jr. High and High School liked these guys. Back in the mid to late 90s I'd see their shirts everywhere.

Matthew Cockburn

So happy I grew up in the 90's

Skunk WR

6y↑46

this is one thing I can depend on

xXxLegendWolfxXx

10y

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

septemberfire

12y

these guys were something very very special

Bhairavi

11y

sooooooooooooooo damn good everytime!!!

rafiq burhan

always love operation ivy ska punk music

Matt Lumpkins

11y

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...

Javier Conde

6y↑5

This is the best ska song ever written

Dan Brown

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

red fury91

3y↑1

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

Corina Guerra

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

Samuel Albert

Punk rock changed my life

Jordi Smulders

12y

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

pottersbrother1000

10y

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

Caroline Russell

12y↑1

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

Jeff Edington

9y↑1

this song reminds me of high school!

sloshvictim

11y↑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!!!

Stealth Bobber

10y

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

Bloesem Bedrosian

43w

Come back to listen 😋

xYouthAttackx

5y↑1

man i miss my youth.. :(

Basard100

10y

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

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

1 More Replies...

Anna Dominguez

9y↑1

Man I missed this song

Hermunkle

10y

On the off chance... Hey Matt and C-Bass thanks much for turning me on to this!

sloshvictim

11y

My sound system is bringing me up...this song speaks the truth!

PoliceCarFreak609

9y↑50

This is probably the nicest comment box on any video here. Good stuff.

BurnBlackBetty BlackHOLE

10y

...I hadn't heard this song in like 15 yrs, n for what ever reason I HAD to hear it. (some douche melted my album lol- not kidding.) Thanks so much 4 posting ;-) XO "Betty"

Adriana Marcandalli

No tik tok, no corona virus ... Good times

B-rad Boxing

8y↑260

damn i cant believe this has oveer half million views. and here i thought this was my little secret haha

unamor

@Martin Hyizna You're lacking a zero (and 300 more people, four years later), but it's a great phrase, haha

the

M&M boxing Hotty productions damn, now it’s at 1.6million views

RantsandRambles

5y↑1

This band was my jam when I was a teen! Now I'm about 30 and wow it feels so nostalgic.

notyoursavior78

When I got the music, I got a place to go.

JDBoots

Jeffrey Keathley ?

14 More Replies...

hunter s

Well that changes my mood with a throw back

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