The band broke up in 2023 following sexual assault allegations against Sane and their social media accounts being deleted. Various sources close to the band state that the breakup was made exclusively by Sane, with the other band members being unaware of the allegations until after.
Wake Up!
Anti-Flag Lyrics
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With some oily rags
Is that what it'd take
To wake you from your sleep?
Woke up from your american dreams
To be surrounded
Surrounded in flames!
To make your voice heard!
And I won't stop screaming
Until mine is heard!
Wake up!
Wake up!
To the world around you
Wake up!
Wake up!
To the world around you
Wake up!
Wake up!
To the world around you
Wake up!
Wake up!
Yeah!
And if we blocked the streets
Everyday
Face down on the pavement
As we lay
You're angered
'cause you're five minutes late.
What happens next time
When we will stop you all day?
Yeah, next time
When we will stop you all day?
You got to scream
To make your voice heard!
And I won't stop screaming
Until mine is heard!
Wake up!
Wake up!
To the world around you
Wake up!
Wake up!
To the world around you
Wake up!
Wake up!
To the world around you
Wake up!
Wake up!
To the world around you
And it's the same song, sung
Sung at the top of our lungs
Screaming for freedom
Pleading for liberty
Screaming for freedom
Pleading for liberty
Screaming for freedom
Pleading for liberty
Freedom!
In "Wake Up!" by Anti-Flag, the band asks what it will take to stir people from their slumber-caused by the American Dream, or in other words, the idea that America is the land of opportunity and the "good life" is achievable by anyone who works hard enough. They suggest that maybe it would take an actual fire - something tangible and destructive rather than the metaphorical fires of poverty, inequality, and injustice - to snap people out of their complacency. The song also touches on the idea of protest, particularly blocking streets to make a statement. The band wonders what would happen if they (the protestors) started to inconvenience people more directly by holding them up for longer periods of time.
The chorus of the song is a rallying cry, urging people to wake up and pay attention to the world around them. The repetition of the "wake up" phrase is intended to be forceful and empowering. The verses, meanwhile, are more about suggesting actions that could be taken to achieve change. The song ends with a call for freedom and liberty, indicating that the band is speaking to a country that is supposed to provide both but is currently falling short.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had a lighter in hands
Imagining the possibility of resorting to extreme measures to wake you up.
With some oily rags
Considering the act of causing damage to property in order to get your attention.
Is that what it'd take
Questioning whether drastic actions are necessary to make you aware.
To wake you from your sleep?
Wondering if you're too oblivious to notice what's happening around you.
Woke up from your american dreams
Realizing that the American Dream isn't as it seems, and waking up to harsh realities.
To be surrounded
Feeling trapped and helpless, as if there's no escape.
Surrounded in flames!
Literal or figurative flames of destruction and chaos surrounding you.
You got to scream
Encouraging you to make your voice heard and speak out against injustice.
To make your voice heard!
Asserting that shouting and protesting are necessary to bring about change.
And I won't stop screaming
Determined to keep speaking out and protesting until there's real change.
Until mine is heard!
Won't stop speaking out until your voice is heard and validated.
Wake up!
Urging you to become aware of the world around you and take action.
To the world around you
Becoming aware of the problems that affect people globally.
And if we blocked the streets
Imagining a scenario where people disrupt everyday life in order to get attention.
Everyday
Indicating that these aren't isolated incidents, but rather, everyday occurrences of struggle.
Face down on the pavement
Visualizing the image of people laying down on the ground, obstructing traffic.
As we lay
Describing the act of protesting as a passive activity, with people lying down on the ground.
You're angered
Anticipating the frustration that will arise from people who are inconvenienced by protests.
'cause you're five minutes late.
Highlighting that people prioritize their own schedules and needs over the important issues at hand.
What happens next time
Suggesting that things will escalate if change isn't brought about soon.
When we will stop you all day?
Further emphasizing the power and determination of protestors to disrupt everyday life.
Yeah, next time
Confirming that the situation won't stay the same if people continue to ignore the issues.
And it's the same song, sung
Noticing that protests and calls for change are not a new phenomenon, and have been sung for generations.
Sung at the top of our lungs
Reiterating the message that shouting and protesting are necessary to bring about true change.
Screaming for freedom
Calling out for liberation from all forms of oppression.
Pleading for liberty
Asking for basic human rights and the freedom to live without fear.
Freedom!
The ultimate goal of protests and activism: to achieve freedom and equality for all.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: YOKO ONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind