Dirty Projectors is an experimental pop group led by singer/songwriter and … Read Full Bio ↴Dirty Projectors is an experimental pop group led by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist David Longstreth which formed in 2002 in Brooklyn, New York, United States.

The current lineup of Dirty Projectors is Dave Longstreth (vocals, guitar, other instruments), Nat Baldwin (bass), Mike Johnson (drums), Maia Friedman (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Felicia Douglass (percussion, keyboards, vocals), and Kristin Slipp (keyboards, vocals).

Based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn with connections to the Portland, OR music scene, the group has produced a distinctive sound of electronic experimentation, melded with traditional instruments and harmonically complex vocals. Their recordings range from Prince-style one-man-recording-studio productions (The Glad Fact), to arranged orchestrations (the "Slaves' Graves" half of Slaves' Graves & Ballads), to basic voice over nylon-string guitar (the "Ballads" half of the aforementioned) to an amalgamation of all these tactics (the 'glitch opera' of The Getty Address and the mixed nature of New Attitude EP). Throughout, Longstreth's aggressively melodic vocals provide a consistent identity for otherwise widely divergent approaches to pop music. Longstreth claims influences ranging from Don Henley to Mariah Carey. The former's influence is most easily seen in The Getty Address album, which is a conceptual opera written from the point of view of Henley as a Spanish Conquistador, though the latter's vocal gymnastics clearly provide a clue to Longstreth's approach. Rise Above is an attempt to re-imagine the lyrics of Black Flag's DamagedDamaged album from memory over complex music that sees influence from the contemporary African blues and funk of such artists as Ali Farka Toure and Konono No. 1.

Members of Dirty Projectors collaborated with Björk to perform an original composition by Longstreth, written for five voices and acoustic guitar, as part of a charity concert to benefit Housing Works, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter for homeless men, women, and children suffering from AIDS.

Rise Above
Dirty Projectors Lyrics

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Jealous cowards try to control
They distort what we say
Try to stop what we do
When they can't do it themselves

We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, but it's no use

Society's arms think they're smart
I find satisfaction in what they're lacking 'cause
We are born with a chance
And I'm gonna have my chance

Rise above

Overall Meaning

In Dirty Projectors' song "Rise Above," the lyrics interrogate the idea of control with an especially critical eye turned toward those who are jealous and cowardly. The song starts with a bold statement, "Jealous cowards try to control," implying that rather than engaging in dialogue or democratic exchange, these particular individuals rely on subterfuge and distortion to manipulate their victims. They are threatened by what others say or do, so they try to stop them from acting or speaking out. However, their efforts always fall short, and the targets of their abuse are no longer going to be complacent.

The chorus "Rise Above" alludes to the common saying, "Rise Above the noise. Focus on your work." The Dirt Projectors' song encourages listeners to oppose the negative influences and overcome the obstacles in their life. To do this, one must understand the source of their power, and their ability to create and express themselves. The lyrics are defiant, and the tone is empowering. Ultimately, the song is a call to action to stand up to those who seek to manipulate and control and to be relentless in pursuing one's dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

Jealous cowards try to control
We are being influenced by those who are envious and afraid.

They distort what we say
They manipulate our words to serve their own agenda.

Try to stop what we do
They attempt to prevent us from taking action.

When they can't do it themselves
They are unable to accomplish it on their own.

We are tired of your abuse
We are exhausted by the maltreatment we receive.

Try to stop us, but it's no use
They may make an effort, but it will not be effective.

Society's arms think they're smart
The broader community believes they are intelligent and well-informed.

I find satisfaction in what they're lacking 'cause
I am pleased with the things they are missing.

We are born with a chance
We are born with opportunities and potential.

And I'm gonna have my chance
I am going to seize my opportunity.

Rise above
We will overcome these challenges and achieve our aspirations.