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.
Statue of Liberty
Descendents Lyrics
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The thing on an island very far from here
They pay it homage like a god
And they paint it on each and every year
A sign for all it was given to us
And we all appreciate this bomb
The toursits don't know and never will
It has no use it's meaning is gone
And for united we stand
We all agree it's a mystery
But why'd they give it to us?
We still don't know just why it came
A present from god or by the rain
The crowds swarm wildly to see it's peak
When I watch I go insane
Why is it so important to them
What is the beauty they see in it
I don't know why I just accept it
I don't want it cause it makes me sick
The lyrics of Descendents' "Statue of Liberty" shed light on the complex relationship between the American people and one of the nation's most iconic landmarks. Although the statue stands as a symbol of hope and freedom, it seems to have lost its original meaning over time. The lyrics describe how people from all over the world visit the statue and treat it like a revered god, and how every year it becomes the subject of more and more paintings, postcards, and other forms of tribute. Despite this widespread popularity, the singer of the song questions the true value of the statue and wonders why it was given to the United States in the first place.
The song suggests that the Statue of Liberty has become more of a tourist attraction than a meaningful icon of American values. The singer seems to feel a sense of disconnect with the worshipful crowds that flock to the statue each year, questioning why it holds so much importance to so many people. He also seems to suggest that the statue's original significance has been lost in the years since it was given to the United States, implying that people have forgotten why the statue was originally created and what it was supposed to represent.
Overall, "Statue of Liberty" is a thought-provoking commentary on the ways in which symbols can lose their meaning over time, as well as a critique of America's tendency to place symbolic value above actual value. It forces the listener to question what real significance the Statue of Liberty holds in modern society and raises important questions about American culture and identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the people walk all around
People go around the Statue of Liberty which is located on a faraway island.
The thing on an island very far from here
The Statue of Liberty is situated on an island that is distant from their current location.
They pay it homage like a god
The Statue of Liberty is worshipped and revered like a deity.
And they paint it on each and every year
The people annually coat the statue with paint.
A sign for all it was given to us
The statue was a gift to the United States which represents freedom for all.
And we all appreciate this bomb
Although it was a gift, it is also seen as a threat (or a 'bomb').
The tourists don't know and never will
Visitors may never understand the significance of the statue.
It has no use it's meaning is gone
The statue no longer retains its original symbolic meaning due to exploitation and overuse.
The Statue of Liberty
A monument dedicated to freedom and independence.
And for united we stand
The statue represents unity and solidarity for the American people.
We all agree it's a mystery
The true meaning and purpose of the statue remains unclear.
But why'd they give it to us?
The intention behind the gift remains unknown.
We still don't know just why it came
The reason why the statue was gifted is yet to be fully understood.
A present from god or by the rain
The gift may have been from a divine being or due to luck.
The crowds swarm wildly to see it's peak
Masses of people come to see the top of the statue.
When I watch I go insane
The artist becomes overwhelmed by the crowds and how seriously they take the statue.
Why is it so important to them
The artist cannot understand the intense attachment people have with the statue.
What is the beauty they see in it
The singer is perplexed by what people find beautiful about the statue.
I don't know why I just accept it
The singer doesn't comprehend the significance, but acknowledges it anyway.
I don't want it cause it makes me sick
The artist is repulsed by the obsession with the statue.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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