Come Original -21century
311 Lyrics


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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
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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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Kevin Leonartus A

Got to
Got to
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
That's full range of emotion full range of styles
When you come to town you'll have them comin' for miles
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
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 I guess you will get shot
Down by the kids neglectin' your art, the stuff you did
Eventually it get so bad puts you to bed
Cuz 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
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
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 the 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 mediation
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 of them whine and some of 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 entertainters 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



SkaMasta097

I know SA emphasizes the word "SHOT" so it's easy to misunderstand him as simply saying shot and that's it. In fact, I thought that when I first heard the song.

But, it's a mid-sentence rhyme. He's saying "shot down by the kids", metaphorically speaking. As in, the kids won't like it because they will see your music is derivative and you won't be a popular or successful artist. Here's the whole verse for context:

"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 / dissing your art, the stuff you did / eventually, it gets so bad, it puts you to bed / but when light flashes, sweet electricity / all the world is there revealed with the clarity / a raw voltage, briefly we see and the hope is / you'll be able to tell just what dope is".

Now obviously in real life, this doesn't ring true. Plenty of derivative sounding bands have become popular: such as The Strokes and especially Greta Van Fleet.

Before anyone cries foul, I'm not saying those are bad bands. They are good bands, but they are derivative of a style that has already been done before and in GVF's case, a direct copy/tribute that is almost indistinguishable from the original band. Yet, they are very popular.

I think "Come Original" is more expressing their philosophy and flexing on their (at least at the time) original mix of styles.



All comments from YouTube:

Madison Apps

This song gets stuck in your head and never leaves

Alex Shirow

Leggit af

Ryan Griffith

It's a explosion of released dopamine avoiding the feeling of feeling up your wife's Dramamine bottle again.

The Sun Behind The Sun

@Ryan Griffith lol wtf feeling up your wife's Dramamine so fuckin random but thank you I needed that 😂

Emanuel Veintimilla Pereira

you are in MTV BUZZ!!!

1 More Replies...

Ducky Studios

This is why the 90’s were a wonderful time in our lives. This music marked one of the happiest and memorable decades in pop culture, growing up and the quality of life. The 90’s will always be my hearts home.

Not you

@nafo420 the war on drugs was started in the 80s by Reagan my guy.
The laws are much more lax now than they were in that time.
Still got a ways to go before the realize prohibition kills more than any war ever could

SergeTheBlerge

You said it. Being born in 81, the 90s were the entirety of my teen years. Only our tvs, game systems, real life friends, bikes, skates, and Portable CD players to give us joy. No social media technology political bullsh*t tearing everything apart.

Granville Sexton

Thats in large part to the creativity of the music industry at its end. Solo artist/auto drum & greedy music executives killed it worse than ever now.

Silvana Su

Definitely 🖤

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