311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska, United States by singer/guitaris… Read Full Bio ↴311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska, United States by singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, singer S.A. Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and bassist P-Nut. The band now resides in Los Angeles, California.

311 mix rock, rap, reggae and funk into their own unique sound. After years of consistent touring, 311 have developed a reputation as one of the hardest working, most influential and most entertaining live bands in the U.S.

311 have released ten studio albums, one live album, one greatest hits album and three dvd's - and have sold over 8.5 million albums in the U.S. Seven of their albums have reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Sales Chart...and 9 of their singles have reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Alternative Rock Radio Chart (including the #1 singles Down, Love Song & Don't Tread On Me. Along with Amber, All Mixed Up, Come Original, Creatures For Awhile, Hey You, and Sunset in July).

311’s newest album, Universal Pulse, released in Summer 2011, was produced by Bob Rock, mixed by Chad Sexton and debuted at #7 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart.

The band's celebratory live shows & incessant touring schedule have earned them a massive grassroots following nationwide. Since its inception in 2004, 311’s annual summer headlining amphitheatre run, Unity Tour, has become one of the largest modern rock concerts of the summer. Support acts on previous Unity Tours have included Sublime with Rome, The Offspring, Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Papa Roach, The Wailers, O.A.R., Matisyahu, and Ziggy Marley. Unity Tour 2012 will feature support from Slightly Stoopid.

311 BIO/HIGHLIGHTS:

* 311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska by vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, vocalist/dj SA Martinez, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and bassist P-Nut. The band now resides in Los Angeles.

* 311 has sold over 8.5 million units in the U.S.

* 311 has had 8 albums reach the Top 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Top 200 Sales Chart

* 311 has had 9 singles reach the Top 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Alternative Chart (including the #1 singles “Down”, “Love Song” & “Don’t Tread On Me” along with “Amber”, “All Mixed Up”, “Come Original”, “Creatures (For a While)”, “Hey You” and "Sunset in July")

* 311’s new album, Universal Pulse, debuted at #7 in July 2011 and was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Aerosmith).

* 311’s new album, due summer of 2011, was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Aerosmith).

* 311’s sound is a unique hybrid of rock, reggae, hip-hop & funk. A balance of hard rocking anthems and melodic reggae grooves - with an underlying message of unity & positivity.

* After years of incessant touring, 311 has developed a reputation as one of the most influential & most entertaining live bands in the U.S.

* With their celebratory live shows, 311 has earned a massive grassroots following. For the past nine years, 311 has headlined their summer “Unity Tour” in ampitheatres across the U.S.- drawing crowds of 10,000 to 18,000 people in Atlanta, Boston, DC, New Jersey, Los Angeles, St. Louis, West Palm, Charlotte, VA Beach, Denver, etc. The tour is consistently one of the largest modern rock concerts of the summer in the U.S.

* Past 311 tours have included an impressive array of opening acts. Bands such as No Doubt, Korn & Incubus all supported 311 on U.S. tours before they became headliners.

* Support acts on 311’s Unity Tour have included :
Sublime With Rome, The Offspring, Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Papa Roach, The Wailers, O.A.R., Matisyahu and Ziggy Marley.

* 311 has always stayed true to their own approach and their underlying message of unity and positivity. That message still rings true for them today…in their lyrics and at their celebratory live shows. Singer Nick Hexum typically ends each show with the words, “Stay Positive and Love Your Life.”

• Every other year on March 11th (“3-11 Day”), 311 holds a special concert event that attracts thousands of 311 fans from around the world. The show includes an extended setlist (5 hours / 60+ songs) and state of the art production. Last year the band sold-out the Mandalay Bay Arena and tickets were sold to fans in all 50 U.S. states and 13 different countries. 311 fans traveled from around the globe to meet each other and to celebrate 311 Day together.

02 Come Original
311 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come original

You got to
You got to

[Chorus]
You got to come original, you got to come original
All entertainers come original

You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers
Hear why

To come original it ain't nothin' strange
You got to represent you got come full range

Full range of emotion full range of styles
When you come to town you'll have them
Comin' for miles

[Chorus]

Black Eyed Peas they comin' full range and
NOFX they comin' full range and
Roni Size he's comin' full range
The one Mr. Vegas you know it ain't easy

A warning to the crews out there who think they're hot
If you're not original rockers you will get shot
Down by the kids neglectin' your art, the stuff you did
Eventually it get so bad puts you to bed
'Cause when the lightning flashes sweet electricity
All the world then stands revealed with the clarity
Of raw voltage, briefly we see and the hope is
You'll be able to tell just what dope is

[Chorus]

Funk slap bass mixed with the dancehall and
Hip-hop beats and punk guitar and
Deadly on the mic is the one SA
The name is 311 and you know it ain't easy

This is not a test there's no time to mope
How you gonna cope with radioactive isotope
And boss dj illness upon you now quickly
Infecting you fast upon the airwaves
This message brought to you by the so large system
Activate and attune yourself with meditation
And green plants they've got mad life they're sentient
They're beautiful as you and they like to dance

Everything we do we gotta come original
Put your hand up in the air and prepare for battle
Sit upon the rhythm like a tire upon a rim
We do it non-stop and then we do it again
Some a them whine and some a them bitch
They can not do it never switch
Comin' up from the heart and
Delivered with a wild pitch
Sit up on top the rhythm like a wild stallion
This is the ruling system

Come original you got to come original
All entertainers come original
You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers come original
You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers come original
You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers

Come original

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 311's song "Come Original" encourage artists to be themselves and showcase their unique style and emotions. The chorus repeats the phrase "you got to come original" to drive home the message that being authentic is the key to success. The verses mention different entertainers who have found success by embracing their full range of emotions and styles. The lyrics also serve as a warning to those who try to imitate others, as they will not be able to compete with those who are original.

Overall, the song is a call to action for artists to be true to themselves and not be afraid to stand out. The use of various genres, such as funk, hip-hop, and punk, in the music emphasizes the importance of diversity and originality. The lyrics advise listeners to stay true to their unique artistic vision and not try to conform to others' expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

Come original
Be unique and true to yourself

You got to
It's necessary or vital to do so

You got to come original, you got to come original
Urge to be authentic and genuine

All entertainers come original
Call for all performers to be original

Hear why
Reason for the call explained below

To come original it ain't nothin' strange
Being original is not something unusual or weird

You got to represent you got come full range
Express and display everything you've got

Full range of emotion full range of styles
Present an extensive variety of emotions and styles

When you come to town you'll have them
When they come around, people will flock to see them

Comin' for miles
Traveling from afar to see them perform

Black Eyed Peas they comin' full range and
Black Eyed Peas are presenting everything they've got

NOFX they comin' full range and
NOFX are presenting everything they've got

Roni Size he's comin' full range
Roni Size is presenting everything he's got

The one Mr. Vegas you know it ain't easy
Mr. Vegas finds it challenging to be original

A warning to the crews out there who think they're hot
Address to groups who think they're popular and successful

If you're not original rockers you will get shot
If you're not authentic, you will not succeed

Down by the kids neglectin' your art, the stuff you did
Kids won't pay attention to your art if it's not authentic

Eventually it get so bad puts you to bed
Over time your lack of originality will lead to your downfall

'Cause when the lightning flashes sweet electricity
When inspiration strikes

All the world then stands revealed with the clarity
The world becomes clear and transparent

Of raw voltage, briefly we see and the hope is
The raw, genuine version is what we hope to see

You'll be able to tell just what dope is
Distinguish between what is genuine and what is fake

Funk slap bass mixed with the dancehall and
Combining different genres and styles

Hip-hop beats and punk guitar and
Incorporating elements from different genres

Deadly on the mic is the one SA
SA is an exceptional performer on the microphone

The name is 311 and you know it ain't easy
311 finds it challenging to be original

This is not a test there's no time to mope
Urging listeners to take action now

How you gonna cope with radioactive isotope
How are you going to handle difficult situations

And boss dj illness upon you now quickly
Dealing with immediate problems

Infecting you fast upon the airwaves
Spreading through the media or communication channels

This message brought to you by the so large system
This message is supported by the larger community

Activate and attune yourself with meditation
Connect with yourself and focus through meditation

And green plants they've got mad life they're sentient
Highlighting the life and sentience of plants

They're beautiful as you and they like to dance
Plants are just as wonderful as people and enjoy movement

Everything we do we gotta come original
It's important to be authentic in everything we do

Put your hand up in the air and prepare for battle
Get ready to fight for originality and authenticity

Sit upon the rhythm like a tire upon a rim
Become one with the music, ride the rhythm like a tire on a rim

We do it non-stop and then we do it again
We keep the originality going, over and over again

Some a them whine and some a them bitch
Some people complain and criticize

They can not do it never switch
They cannot be original, or change their ways

Comin' up from the heart and
Coming from the soul

Delivered with a wild pitch
Presented with passion and excitement

Sit up on top the rhythm like a wild stallion
Ride the rhythm like a wild stallion

This is the ruling system
This is how we run things, with originality and authenticity

Come original you got to come original
Urge to be authentic and genuine

All entertainers come original
Call for all performers to be original

You got to come original you got to come original
Urge to be authentic and genuine

All entertainers come original
Call for all performers to be original

You got to come original you got to come original
Urge to be authentic and genuine

All entertainers come original
Call for all performers to be original

You got to come original you got to come original
Urge to be authentic and genuine

All entertainers
All performers

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: AARON WILLS, DOUGLAS MARTINEZ, NICHOLAS HEXUM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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