Blues March
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Lyrics
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109 in the sky but the pigs wont quit
You’re here with me
Dr. DeathDefying
I’ll be you surgeon, your proctor, your helicopter
Pumping up the slaughtermatic sounds to keep you live
A system failure for the masses
Anti-matter for the master plan
Louder than god’s revolver and twice as shiny
This ones for all you rock and rollers
All you crash queens and motivators”
'LISTEN UP!
THE FUTURE IS BULLETPROOF!
THE AFTERMATH IS SECONDARY!
It’s time to do it now and do it loud
KILLJOYS, MAKE SOME NOISE!”
NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NANANANANANA
NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NANANANANANA
NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA
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NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA
For My Security (NA-NA-NANANA)
(NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA)
To to every enemy (NA-NA-NANANA)
(NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA)
We’re on their property (NA-NA-NANANA)
Stand-ing-in-a-V-for-mat-ion
NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NA
NA NANANA NANANA
Drop like a bullet shell (NA-NA-NANANA)
NA NANANA NANANA
Just like a sleeper cell(NA-NA-NANANA)
NA NANANA NANANA
Id rather go to hell (NA-NA-NANANA)
Then be in a purgatory
Cut my hair
Gag and bore me
Pull this pin
Let this world
Ex-plode
The lyrics of this song are filled with rebellious and revolutionary energy. The opening lines served as an announcement that something big is about to happen, as if the singer is waking up the world to a new day with a sense of urgency. The reference to “pigs” is likely a nod to law enforcement, suggesting that they are blocking something from happening. The singer identifies themselves as Dr. DeathDefying, a character who appears in the concept album “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys” by My Chemical Romance, from which this song takes its name. Dr. DeathDefying is portrayed as a pirate radio DJ who rebels against a dystopian society. Significantly, the singer positions themselves as someone who can heal and fly, by using medical terms, and comparing themselves to a helicopter. The “slaughtermatic” sounds that they pump up are evocative of a call to arms. The lines “Anti-matter for the master plan, Louder than god’s revolver and twice as shiny” further underscore the message that they are going against the dominant powers, with a fierce determination.
In the chorus, the singer calls on their audience to take action, make noise, and stand up against the enemy. The repetition of the phrase “NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NANANANANANA” serves as a chant for the resistance, a unifying rallying cry to encourage all to join. They suggest that the future is bulletproof, that nothing can stand in the way, and that it is time to be bold and loud. The idea that the aftermath is secondary reinforces the notion that action must be taken now, regardless of the consequences. The phrases “Drop like a bullet shell” and “Just like a sleeper cell” refer to the idea of being explosive and incognito, respectively, in the context of a revolution. The final stanza implies that the singer would rather go to hell than continue living in a world of oppression. They ask to be physically restrained because the idea of exploding is more preferable. The lines “Cut my hair, Gag and bore me, Pull this pin, Let this world, Ex-plode” can be interpreted as a desire to shed the old self, to silence the voices of oppression, and to take action to bring about a revolution.
Line by Line Meaning
Look Alive Sunshine*
Wake up and pay attention!
109 in the sky but the pigs won't quit
It's hot outside and the police are still active/working.
You're here with me
You are listening and engaging with this music.
Dr. DeathDefying
The DJ/host of this radio show brings a dangerous and exciting atmosphere.
I'll be your surgeon, your proctor, your helicopter
I'll give you everything you need and more to experience this music fully.
Pumping up the slaughtermatic sounds to keep you live
Playing intense and energetic music to keep you engaged and feeling alive.
A system failure for the masses
This music goes against the norm and disrupts the status quo.
Anti-matter for the master plan
This music is rebellious and goes against the controlling forces in society.
Louder than god's revolver and twice as shiny
This music is powerful, attention-grabbing, and captivating.
This one's for all you rock and rollers, all you crash queens and motivators
This music is for everyone who enjoys and needs it for inspiration, escape and empowerment.
LISTEN UP!
Pay attention and listen!
THE FUTURE IS BULLETPROOF!
We're strong enough to face anything that comes our way in the future.
THE AFTERMATH IS SECONDARY!
What happens after the fact is not as important as taking action in the moment.
It's time to do it now and do it loud
We need to take action boldly and with conviction.
KILLJOYS, MAKE SOME NOISE!
People who suppress others should be silenced and the people who want to make a change should be vocal.
NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NANANANANANA
A vocalization to hype up and energize the audience.
For My Security (NA-NA-NANANA) (NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA)
Taking action to protect oneself from harm and danger.
To every enemy (NA-NA-NANANA) (NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA)
Directly addressing and confronting those who pose a threat or challenge.
We're on their property (NA-NA-NANANA) Stand-ing-in-a-V-for-mat-ion
We take a strong stance on our beliefs, even if it means challenging those who hold power over us.
NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NA-NA-NA NA NANANA NANANA
A vocalization to hype up and energize the audience.
Drop like a bullet shell (NA-NA-NANANA) NA NANANA NANANA
Protesting with force and conviction, like a bullet shell.
Just like a sleeper cell(NA-NA-NANANA) NA NANANA NANANA
Stealthily and secretly taking action to cause change.
I'd rather go to hell (NA-NA-NANANA) Than be in a purgatory
I'd rather face great challenges and adversity than live in a state of uncertainty and waiting.
Cut my hair Gag and bore me Pull this pin Let this world Ex-plode
I'd rather take radical and explosive action than live a boring and unfulfilling life.
Contributed by Michael P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Liudmila Pupo
Art Blakey (Drums)
Lee Morgan (Trumpet)
Benny Golson (Tenor saxophone)
Bobby Timmons (Piano)
Jymie Merritt (Bass)
school/style of jazz: Hard Bop
form: 12-bar blues
Reason for inclusion: Nice combination of 12-bar blues played in march.
Audrey Jennings
I had a chance to see Benny Golson at Jazz Showcase in Chicago yesterday. He took time out from the performance to tell us the story of how this tune came to be. Golson was trying to address some of Art Blakey's frustrations by highlighting his drumming and felt the best way to do that was to channel some of the marching bands he'd seen in the south, particularly at Howard University, and pulling them into a song that allowed Blakey the playing time he was looking for. I think it worked.
Mitch Cole
ONE OF THE SWINGINEST BE-BOP AND POST-BOP DRUMMERS THERE EVER WAS----PLUS HE NURTURED GENERATIONS OF NEW TALENT WITH THE MESSENGERS A TRUE ICON AND GENIUS, GOD BLESS HIM
Garrett Cummins
Had this tune stuck in my head for the last three hours.
james webb
This is just one of the many fine compositions by Benny Golson.
Artie Solomon
+James webb i love Benny Golson on Blues March but can't find a single decent CD with him on it. Anything to recommend?
james webb
+Artie Solomon : Artie, Benny made some fine recordings with the - Art Farmer & Benny Golson Septet. Many of which are on Utube. Happy listening.
Lucio Cornejo
"Domingo" is the CD you are looking for. It has some great tunes, like "Moment to moment" and "Domingo".
John Arevalo
The groove runs deep with this one.
Autumn Aarilyn
One of the few jazz songs that ends in a fade.
JazzManLaf
Love this record so much! Nobody "marched" like Art Blakey. And Bobby Timmons' piano solo is the bomb! There's so much to learn from this record about the blues!