What's The Frequency Kenneth?
B.R.A.K.E. Lyrics
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I was brain-dead, locked out, numb, not up to speed
I thought I'd pegged you an idiot's dream
Tunnel vision from the outsider's screen
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh
Richard said, "Withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy"
A smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth
You said that irony was the shackles of youth
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
"What's the frequency, Kenneth?" is your Benzedrine, uh-huh
Butterfly decal, rearview mirror, dogging the scene
You smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth
You said that irony was the shackles of youth
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
You said that irony was the shackles of youth, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
I couldn't understand
I never understood, don't fuck with me, uh-huh
"What's the frequency, Kenneth?" is a song by American rock band B.R.A.K.E, and the lyrics are said to have been inspired by an incident that happened in New York City in 1986, where two muggers attacked CBS news anchor Dan Rather while shouting "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" The band's lead singer, Michael Stipe, had read about the incident and was fascinated by it, considering it a conceptual metaphor for communication breakdown in society. The song talks about being disconnected or out of touch with someone or something, represented by the misunderstood phrase, "What's the frequency, Kenneth?"
The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to connect with someone, and maybe even himself. The character is described as brain-dead, numb, and out of touch with the culture. He thought he understood the person he's talking to, but he no longer does. The phrase "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" is heard multiple times throughout the song and acts as a kind of refrain. It's a question that the singer can't answer, despite his best efforts to connect with the other person.
Overall, the lyrics are about the struggle to connect with people and the culture, feeling disconnected and misunderstood. At its core, the song is an expression of the frustration of difficulty with communication and the attempt to find understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the frequency, Kenneth? is your Benzedrine, uh-huh
Asking about the thing that drives and motivates Kenneth like Benzedrine, a drug that increases focus and alertness.
I was brain-dead, locked out, numb, not up to speed
The singer was feeling disconnected and not keeping up with the world around him.
I thought I'd pegged you an idiot's dream
The singer expected Kenneth to be foolish or unrealistic, like a dream that doesn't make sense.
Tunnel vision from the outsider's screen
The perspective of an outsider who is limited by what they see and understand.
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh
Kenneth was burdened by the expectations of others, like he was wearing a protective suit that was weighing him down.
I'd studied your cartoons, radio, music, TV, movies, magazines
The singer had tried to learn about Kenneth by consuming the same media as him.
Richard said, "Withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy"
A quote by Richard Linklater, suggesting that caring enough to be disgusted is not the same as being indifferent.
A smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth
Kenneth had a cartoonish, exaggerated smile that could be interpreted as aggressive or vengeful.
You said that irony was the shackles of youth
Kenneth believed that using and depending on ironic humor was limiting and immature.
You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh
Kenneth wore a shirt that was green and aggressive, like the feeling of envy and resentment.
Butterfly decal, rearview mirror, dogging the scene
Kenneth had a butterfly-shaped sticker on his mirror, following and observing what was happening around him.
You wore our expectations like an armored suit, uh-huh
Repeated line, emphasizing once more that Kenneth felt burdened by what others thought of him.
You said that irony was the shackles of youth, uh-huh
Repeated line, reminding the listener of Kenneth's belief that using irony was limiting and immature.
I never understood the frequency, uh-huh
The singer never quite grasped what motivated or drove Kenneth.
I couldn't understand, don't fuck with me, uh-huh
The singer is frustrated and defensive that he didn't understand Kenneth's perspective or motivations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind