Push
Common Market Lyrics

Suffocated by the pressure to perform
Feeling overwhelmed and constrained by the intense expectations placed upon oneself to excel and succeed.

And the pressure to produce and the pressure to conform to the norms
Feeling an immense obligation to meet standards and expectations predicted by societal norms and expectations.

Animated by the pressure to succeed
Becoming motivated and driven by the intense pressure to accomplish and thrive in one's endeavors.

And the pressure to succumb and the pressure to believe in a cause
Feeling the weight of obligations to submit to the influence of dominant ideologies and beliefs, even if they do not align with one's personal convictions.

Predicated on the pressure to accept
Established upon the expectation to acknowledge and agree with prevailing opinions regardless of their validity to one's personal beliefs and perspectives.

And the pressure to explain and the pressure to perfect
Bearing the weight of explaining and justifying one's thoughts, opinions, and actions alongside an overwhelming obligation to follow conformity and constantly improve.

What is inherently flawless, in all this
Questioning the idea of perfectionism and attempting to discern the value system and logic that underpins such a perspective.

Recognize your right to push back…
Acknowledging and understanding that one has the liberty to resist and not conform to outside pressure and expectations.

See accountability to me is a whole 'nother theory
Viewing accountability through a different lens, acknowledging one's personal reliance on science and intellect, rather than authority or faith.

So my obedience is not to ever be mistaken
Ensuring that the obedience they show is not mistaken or confused as faith, but is a response to a higher sense of self-awareness and consciousness.

For faith in the creation, but in the fact I am conscious
Emphasizing that their devotion is not based on beliefs in the creation, but instead in their inherent sense of consciousness and self-awareness.

Of my reliance on the inability of science
Emphasizing their dependence on science and intellect, yet also acknowledging its limitations and inability to explain everything in the world.

To justify sound on the grounds of profound silence
Highlighting the challenge of explaining concepts and phenomena that cannot be measured or perceived by the senses or science.

Why then is the molecular configuration labeled 'secular'
Questioning the label of 'secular' that is given to certain molecular structures and compounds.

When it's relegated to a genre?
Questioning why science is often categorized and compartmentalized into genres and specialties.

That which is from the mortal order's not built to last
Acknowledging that things that are from the mortal order or man-made may not stand the test of time or be sustainable in the long run.

Irrespective of the measure of skill crafted
Emphasizing that even with great measure of skill and effort, things that are not built to last will not endure over time.

So what Jah bless let no one curse
Asserting that whatever blessings one has received should not be criticized or belittled by others.

I coerce the clergy, showin' no mercy to the pontiff
Taking a strong stance and not accepting religious authority, asserting oneself as an authority figure over religious figures.

Yes - and the muezzin's understandably upset by the clamor
Acknowledging that religious figures, such as the muezzin, may not agree with one's views or actions and may respond negatively.

I climbed and tied the banner to the minaret
Asserting one's authority and staking claim to one's belief system or ideology.

Don't forget the pact, and
Reminding oneself and others of the agreement or pact that has been made with oneself and others who share one's beliefs and values.

Overwhelmed by the pressure to defer
Feeling immense stress and pressure to comply and acquiesce to outside individuals, groups, or institutions.

And the pressure to concede and the pressure to concur with the words
Feeling obligated to agree with the arguments presented by others or concede to their demands or expectations.

Illustrated by the pressure to comply
Expressing how one's willingness to comply and conform to outside pressure is often expressed through action and behavior.

And the pressure to appease and the pressure to apply more pressure to your peers 'til the pressure puts them
Feeling that one must constantly appease others or apply pressure to their peers to meet expectations or conform to societal norms, even if this pressure is harmful to themselves or others.

Under pressure to defend why they choose not to amend
Acknowledging how others may feel obligated to justify their decisions to not conform to expectations, which can be a source of great pressure and stress.

What is inherently gorgeous, in all this
Questioning the beauty and value in the immense amount of pressure and expectations imposed on individuals by society.

Lest ye judge and deem the position extremely biased
Advising others to not judge or criticize one's views or opinions as being overly biased or subjective.

Identify me as 'self righteous' and 'pious'
Expecting that some may judge or label one as arrogant or overly religious in one's views and opinions.

I assail even the stale efforts of the Baha'is
Critiquing the lack of effort or progress made by a religious group or ideology.

Endeavors have failed to make available Hiphop
Highlighting the failure of certain groups or institutions to promote or make accessible certain creative expressions such as hip hop.

To the youth at large, when in truth it's hard to refute God
Questioning the idea that it is difficult to reject or refute God's existence, while also criticizing religious groups who fail to make hip hop accessible to younger generations.

Music is conducive to producin' art
Celebrating the ability of music to be an effective medium for creative self-expression and producing art.

Between you and me, I'm through with stringin' beads
Expressing disinterest and dissatisfaction with passive or non-creative pursuits such as beadmaking.

And singin' of flowers and waves and leaves - it's not
Critiquing the banality and superficiality of certain creative pursuits that do not reflect deeper cultural issues and social problems.

That I'm a separatist, my suggestion is: we address the risk
Clarifying that one's views should not be interpreted as divisive or separating, and recommending a collective effort to address potential risks and problems.

Of giving the impression we missed the point
Acknowledging the possibility that the group or movement may not be accurately expressing or addressing the true issues or problems.

To progress with the kids - not in spite of 'em
Advocating for progress that is inclusive and takes into consideration the perspectives and experiences of younger generations.

By request, invited 'em to bless this spot
Actively seeking the opinions and input of younger generations and asking them to contribute to the growth and development of the movement or group.

So when it must be justice, we clutch this (mic)
Asserting that when justice needs to be served or progress needs to be made, one must hold onto the microphone and speak out.

Clingin' to the cord - they cannot afford to ignore the value
Emphasizing the importance and value of one's voice and perspectives, and how they cannot be ignored or dismissed by those in power or authority.

And when they doubt you
Acknowledging the possibility that those in power or authority may doubt or question one's views and opinions.

Recognize your right to push back…
Echoing the earlier sentiment and reminding oneself and others to always recognize their right to resist and push back against outside pressure and expectations.

Aggravated by the pressure to mature
Feeling annoyed and frustrated by the expectation to grow and mature in a certain way or at a certain pace.

And the pressure to endow and the pressure to endure criticism
Feeling a strong obligation to provide value and benefits to society, while enduring criticism and feedback from others.

Generated by the pressure to be numb
Feeling pressured to suppress one's emotions and feelings in order to conform to societal and cultural expectations.

To the pressure of the thumb of the one holdin' you down not allowin' you to run
Feeling restrained and held back by those in power or authority, who do not allow one the freedom to pursue their dreams or goals.

From the pressure to be fine
Feeling immense pressure to present oneself as put-together and fine, even if one is struggling or experiencing difficulty.

With the pressure to align with the pressure to abide by the rules
Feeling obligated to conform to the expectations and rules set forth by society and those in power or authority, even if they do not align with one's personal beliefs and values.

Of the lawless, in all this
Highlighting the contradiction of being expected to follow rules and expectations set forth by those in power, when those rules may be unjust or unfair.