Atari Teenage Riot is a German digital hardcore group formed in Berlin in 1… Read Full Bio ↴Atari Teenage Riot is a German digital hardcore group formed in Berlin in 1992. Highly political, they fused left-wing, anarchist, anti-fascist views with punk vocals and the newly emerging techno sound that was called digital hardcore, which is a term Alec Empire later used in the name of his record company.

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.

You Can't Hold Us Back
Atari Teenage Riot Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stick the needle in your vein
And the drum beat goes like this...

We live day by day and you never gonna hold us back!
I can see the sky turn white
and you gonna take it out for more!
Are you gonna take it out for more?
Are you gonna take it out for more?

Are you gonna take it out for more?
Are you gonna take it out for more?

And that is the way it's always gonna be
That is the day when they all gonna see
flames and fire, Burning business buildings
Fuckin' politicians Your smile on your nice face makes me spit blood!

And you walk across the line and you start talking behind my back
You start looking for another
Another day to waste my time!
Another day to waste my time!
Another day to waste my time!
And you will wait for a lifetime to spend your life in sunshine

You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You will never gonna hold us back!

I start walking through the sun...
Yen for soul!
Power me up with wires! Cut them through my body!
Pay me out for nothing...
And I'm gonna keep my smile on my face!

There's nothing you can do...
Just watch me going mad!
Destroy each other to survive!
The whites get nervous and they feel insecure!

You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You will never gonna hold us back!

I've got nothing more to say! It's the end end of your era....
I really want to see you craving in the streets
With your christian belief! You little fuck!
Fuck, Fuck you!

You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You will never gonna hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!
You will never gonna hold us back!
Lower, Lower, Lower
You will never gonna hold us back!

You can't hold us back!
You can't hold us back!

Overall Meaning

Atari Teenage Riot's song "You Can't Hold Us Back" is a hard-hitting and politically charged track that talks about the band's defiance towards societal norms and their determined attitude towards not letting anyone hold them back. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, talking about injecting a needle into one's vein and the drumbeat that follows. The song's lyrics then go on to talk about living day by day and not letting anyone hold them back, no matter what.

As the song progresses, the lyrics become more aggressive, talking about burning buildings, corrupt politicians, and the insecurities of white people. The song ends with a powerful statement about how the band will never be held back, no matter what society tries to do.

The lyrics of "You Can't Hold Us Back" are a clear reflection of Atari Teenage Riot's anger towards authority and their desire to break free from societal norms. They urge listeners to resist the status quo and fight against oppression. The song's aggressive and fast-paced sound also reflects the band's punk roots and their overall style.

Line by Line Meaning

Stick the needle in your vein And the drum beat goes like this...
Introducing the song with a provocative line about drug use and emphasizing the musical pulse that drives the message forward.

We live day by day and you never gonna hold us back!
The band will not be restrained or prevented from living their lives as they see fit, motivated by a sense of defiance.

I can see the sky turn white and you gonna take it out for more! Are you gonna take it out for more? Are you gonna take it out for more? Are you gonna take it out for more? Are you gonna take it out for more?
An observation about destructive behavior that is repeated throughout the song, questioning the motives of those who seek to harm themselves or others.

And that is the way it's always gonna be That is the day when they all gonna see flames and fire, Burning business buildings Fuckin' politicians Your smile on your nice face makes me spit blood!
A prediction of future violence and chaos, directed at the societal order and political leadership that the band views as corrupt and unresponsive.

And you walk across the line and you start talking behind my back You start looking for another Another day to waste my time! Another day to waste my time! Another day to waste my time! And you will wait for a lifetime to spend your life in sunshine
An indictment of those who engage in petty gossip and idle pursuits, contrasted with the band's goal-oriented mindset and determination to achieve their goals no matter the cost.

You can't hold us back! You can't hold us back! You can't hold us back! You can't hold us back! You will never gonna hold us back!
The central refrain of the song, reiterating the band's resistance to external control and expressing a sense of personal autonomy and freedom.

I start walking through the sun... Yen for soul! Power me up with wires! Cut them through my body! Pay me out for nothing... And I'm gonna keep my smile on my face!
A description of the band's spiritual and physical journey, infused with a sense of electricity and energy, juxtaposed with the idea of an empty and meaningless existence.

There's nothing you can do... Just watch me going mad! Destroy each other to survive! The whites get nervous and they feel insecure!
An acknowledgment of the futility of trying to control others and an encouragement to embrace one's own madness and destructive impulses, with a nod to the racial tensions that exist in many societies.

I've got nothing more to say! It's the end end of your era.... I really want to see you craving in the streets With your christian belief! You little fuck! Fuck, Fuck you!
A final declaration of defiance and an exhortation to overthrow the existing social order, infused with anger and disdain for those who seek to impose their beliefs on others.

Lower, Lower, Lower You will never gonna hold us back! You can't hold us back! You can't hold us back!
A repeated chant expressing the band's determination to reject authority and establish their own path in life, with an emphasis on the power of music to motivate and inspire.

Lyrics © CACOPHONY LIMITED
Written by: WILKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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