The band's first single, Sail debuted at #30 on the U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs chart on the chart week of February 10, 2011. The band released their debut album Megalithic Symphony digitally on March 15th, 2011, and the physical CD was released March 29th, 2011 on Red Bull Records. The album features 15 tracks with iTunes and Amazon featuring the bonus tracks "Swinging from the Castles" and "Shoestrings" respectively.
Official site found here: awolnationmusic.com
THISKIDSNOTALRIGHT
Awolnation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuck
Troubles coming for the freeman
We shake them shaken with the free hand
So stand tall, shout out, with me
Do your dirty work without me
Say your best when no one can see
(This kids, this kids, this kids, this kids, this kids, this kids)
This kid's not alright
This kid's not alright
This kid's not alright
But this kid's not alright
I've been sleeping with these
I've been sleeping with these thoughts, man
I've been contemplating singing them
So stand up, catch fire, with me
(This kids, this kids, this kids, this kids, this kids)
You can fight all that now
This kid's not alright
This kid's not alright
This kid's not alright
But this kid's not alright
I'm scared, I may derail
You can follow them to hell
You can follow them to hell
You can follow them to hell
You can follow them to hell
You can follow them to hell
This kid's not alright (you can follow them to hell)
This kid's not alright (you can follow them to hell)
This kid's not alright (you can follow them to hell)
This kid's not alright
The lyrics to AWOLNATION's song THISKIDSNOTALRIGHT are about a person acknowledging their personal struggles and dissatisfaction with their life, while also expressing a sense of defiance and determination to not be defeated by their struggles. The verses speak to the various internal and external issues that this person is dealing with - troubles that are coming their way, dirty work that needs to be done, and dark thoughts that they're struggling with. Despite all of this, the chorus is a resounding declaration that "this kid's not alright," but that they won't be brought down by their fears and doubts.
The repeated phrase "this kids, this kids" gives the impression that this person is not alone in their struggles, and is perhaps speaking to a larger sense of disillusionment or dissatisfaction amongst their peers. By encouraging others to "stand up, catch fire" with them, the singer is calling for solidarity and active resistance against whatever it is that's bringing them down. The song ends on a somewhat ominous note, with the suggestion that the singer is somewhat self-destructive and afraid of derailing.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck
Trouble is coming and things are not going to be good
Troubles coming for the freeman
The hardships of life are on the way to hit those who live life their own way
We shake them shaken with the free hand
We confront the adversities of life head-on fearlessly and with a lot of courage
So stand tall, shout out, with me
So let's put up a strong and united front that will help us face the problems more effectively
Do your dirty work without me
Do all the immoral and unethical things that you wish to do, but don't involve me in them
Say your best when no one can see
Pretend to be someone who you're not or do things in secret that you wouldn't want others to know about
Stand up, catch fire, with me
Stand up and show your true potential to the world and let's face the challenges together
(This kids, this kids, this kids, this kids, this kids, this kids)
Repetition of the fact that there are many people who are not doing well in life and are facing various problems
This kid's not alright
I am not doing well and need help to tackle my problems
But this kid's not alright
I am really not doing well and need someone to help me through this tough time
I've been sleeping with these
I have been thinking about these problems a lot and they are causing me to lose sleep
I've been contemplating singing them
I have been thinking about expressing my problems through music or performing arts
You can fight all that now
You have the strength and courage to face all the problems head-on
I'm scared, I may derail
I am worried that my problems might become too much to handle and I might break down
You can follow them to hell
You can follow the people who brought these problems into your life directly or indirectly, and face their wrath
(you can follow them to hell)
Repetition of the idea that you can confront your problems and the people who caused them
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aaron Bruno
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JackDoyleJD
Does anybody else think the "FUCK" just makes the song
@50calmaster1
YES!!
@goldenmantis499
definitely
@kimpalmateer1648
what other word wakes you up? definitely fucking not shake it off...how about fuck off? good, same page
@ghost_trip
I think the song is perfect the way it is.
@shadow1956aer
Gotta love a song that starts with FUCK!! LOL
@sassysauron2426
"I still don't know what I'm doing."
Politicians all around the world can relate.
@Project0061
And you can follow them to hell
@jeremyrobinson5834
Oh make no mistake friend, they ( Politicians) "Know exactly" what they are doing. And everything is scripted and thought out many years, even decades in advance.
@Project0061
@Jeremy Robinson No it's not