According to Empire, "Digital Hardcore initially meant the final questioning of everything, of the whole. The next step was a shorter one. The absolute negation, even to answer one's own existence with a "No". If "No" is true, then suicide can be as much as an event as pressing the buttons on your remote control." (MEAN Magazine, July 1999)
The group was founded as an attack on the increasingly neo-Nazi influenced German techno scene and consisted of three Berliners - Alec Empire, Hanin Elias and MC Carl Crack. ATR's early releases (which included songs like "Hetzjagd Auf Nazis!" / "Hunt Down the Nazis!") were surrounded by controversy in Germany due to the prevailing "no politics on the dance floor" attitude.
After signing to Phonogram, a major European label, in 1993 the band received an unusually large financial advance which they duplicitously used to set up their own record label: Digital Hardcore Recordings or DHR. ATR never delivered a commercially viable demo to Phonogram.
In 1997 ATR was joined by Nic Endo, a Japanese-American noise/soundscape artist during the Beck tour.
In 1999 ATR released 60 Second Wipe Out, an album that phased out all use of sampling and brought on board New York City rappers the Arsonists. According to Magnet Magazine, "Empire's guitar-playing values speed-thrash malevolence, and when paired with Endo's painful skronkage, the album is decidedly denser than its predecessor."
The group decided to effectively disband in 2000 and to not consider the band's future until 2003. Carl Crack died a few months later of a drug overdose. His death caused Empire some anguish and made any reformation less likely. Since the collapse of ATR the surviving members have all pursued separate and successful careers. Nic Endo and Empire have collaborated since but relations between Elias and Empire appear to remain strained despite their mutual business interests. This is because, as she states in interviews, Hanin Elias decided to set up her own record label, where she did not feel oppressed by the mostly male artists. Her record label is named Fatal Recordings.
In March 2002, ATR's album Future of War (1997) was banned in Germany. According to Alec Empire, Future of War was noteworthy because of its "left-rooted critique of the 'modern' high-tech-war, as we had seen it all some years previously during the Gulf War."
In July 3rd 2006, ATR released greatest hits compilation called Atari Teenage Riot (1992-2000).
ATR reformed in 2010 with CX Kidtronik joining the line-up for live dates and a single Activate! scheduled for release in May.
Paranoid
Atari Teenage Riot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we want to see
what we want to do
we want to see
F**K YOU!!
no originals
you-want me to be like the worlds (??)
you want me to be like the worlds (??)
but i won't do it for you!
paranoid!
u tried to take me over!
and i want more in my life
what are you willing to sacrifice?
(??)
i'm not as paranoid as you
i'm not as paranoid as you
i'm not as paranoid as you
i'm not as paranoid as you-ANYMORE!
Paranoid!
(you tried to take me) paraniod
(you wanna break me) paraniod!
(you tried to make me) paranoid!
but don't feel paranoid..
The lyrics of this song by Atari Teenage Riot, "Paranoid," seem to be about the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. The singer expresses their desire to live their life on their own terms, rejecting the idea of being like "the worlds." They declare their unwillingness to sacrifice their individuality for the sake of fitting in. The repeated use of the word "paranoid" gives the impression that the singer feels like they are constantly being watched and judged by others, leading to a sense of unease and anxiety. However, by the end of the song, the singer asserts that they are no longer as paranoid as they once were, suggesting that they have found a sense of peace and acceptance in their decision to be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Paranoid!
Feeling of great fear or suspicion that something bad is going to happen.
we want to see
We desire to observe and engage in certain activities.
what we want to do
We want to fulfill our desires and complete our goals.
we want to see
We desire to observe and engage in certain activities.
F**K YOU!!
Expression of anger and frustration towards someone.
no originals
There are no unique or original ideas or concepts.
no originals
There are no unique or original ideas or concepts.
you-want me to be like the worlds (??)
You expect me to conform to societal norms and standards.
you want me to be like the worlds (??)
You expect me to conform to societal norms and standards.
but i won't do it for you!
I refuse to change myself to meet your expectations or conform to societal norms.
u tried to take me over!
You attempted to control and manipulate me.
and i want more in my life
I desire to have greater meaning and purpose in my existence.
what are you willing to sacrifice?
What are you willing to give up or lose in order to achieve your goals?
i'm not as paranoid as you
I am not as fearful or suspicious as you are.
i'm not as paranoid as you
I am not as fearful or suspicious as you are.
i'm not as paranoid as you
I am not as fearful or suspicious as you are.
i'm not as paranoid as you-ANYMORE!
I used to be as fearful or suspicious as you, but I have overcome it.
Paranoid!
Feeling of great fear or suspicion that something bad is going to happen.
(you tried to take me) paraniod
You attempted to control and manipulate me and it made me paranoid.
(you wanna break me) paraniod!
You desire to dismantle my sense of self and it makes me paranoid.
(you tried to make me) paranoid!
You attempted to instill fear and suspicion in me.
but don't feel paranoid..
Do not succumb to feelings of fear and suspicion.
Contributed by Grayson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.