Shortly after forming they enlisted Milo Aukerman and made what started out a surf band into a full fledged punk unit. Descendents have diverged from their punk peers, perhaps because of the Beach Boys influences, and sang about topics that touched many young punks' lives like parents, food, girls and being rejected.
This band separated due to Milo actually going to college (he attended the University of California, San Diego) just like the title of their debut. This and other constraints have made them famous for their long hiatuses, which are sometimes a decade span in length. The band has now spread out across their country of origin and their future is somewhat uncertain.
Lead singer Milo Aukerman currently resides in Newark, Delaware. He was a biochemist for the internationally known DuPont Chemical company, which is based out of Delaware. However, whenever the end of Descendents seemed to be approaching, Milo popped up again and the band released a new record. Aukerman then later returned to his academic duties in teaching biochemistry. He then quit his academic life to pursue a career in music fulltime.
M-16
Descendents Lyrics
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I'm not going to live your American Dream!
"Army life is right for me
Kill to save democracy
Got a rebel in my sights
Money's worth more than his life."
So kill. . .it's fun!
Shoot him you're better than him
Shoot him it gives you as thrill
Just like as a kid only now it's for real
The song "M-16" by Descendents is a scathing commentary on the glorification of violence and militarism in American culture. The repeated refrain "Go shoot your M-16" is a direct challenge to those who believe in the so-called "American Dream," which often includes the idea of serving in the military and fighting for one's country. The lyrics contrast this idealized image of military service with the brutal reality of war, as the singer describes the cold-blooded killing of a "rebel" in the name of "saving democracy." The song suggests that for some people, the thrill of violence and the desire for power and money can override any sense of morality or humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Go shoot your M-16 (x 4)
Encouraging the listener to use their gun and emphasizing the repetition of the phrase to emphasize the act of shooting.
I'm not going to live your American Dream!
Rejecting the idea of the American Dream and not wanting to follow the traditional path of success.
Army life is right for me
Expressing a desire to join the army and become a soldier.
Kill to save democracy
Believing that killing is necessary to protect and preserve democracy.
Got a rebel in my sights
Referring to having an enemy or target in sight, possibly indicating a desire to harm or kill them.
Money's worth more than his life.
Valuing money over human life, potentially reflecting a cynical view of the world.
So kill. . .it's fun!
Encouraging the listener to find joy and pleasure in taking the life of another person, which is a disturbing and harmful sentiment.
Shoot him you're better than him
Imbuing the listener with a sense of superiority over their target and justifying the act of shooting them.
Shoot him in the eye
Offering a specific target for the listener to aim for and suggesting a level of violence or cruelty.
Shoot him it gives you as thrill
Reinforcing the idea that taking another person's life can be a source of excitement, which is harmful and destructive thinking.
Just like as a kid only now it's for real
Drawing a comparison between the excitement of killing to the feeling of playing as a child, but now with actual, deadly consequences.
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