Fifteen released their first record in 1991 on Lookout records. It was singer/guitarist Jeff Ott's vision to create music that didn't just rock, but had something important to say as well. After four records on Lookout, two on Grass Records, three on Sub City Records, and three more on indefinite self-published labels, Fifteen were viewed as the leaders in the political-punk music scene. They tackle such burning issues as homelessness, drug abuse, needle exchange, environmental destruction and the government's use of counterintelligence measures to violate activist's civil rights. Fifteen first broke up in 1996 after the self-released "extra medium kickball star."
They reformed in 1998 and released Hush and Survivor then disbanded 2000 with Jeff Ott stating that the anti-commercial DIY ethics of punk rock made it too expensive for him to have a band while raising a family.
The band had a total of fifteen members during its existence: Jeff Ott, Jack Curran, Mikey Mischief, Mark Moreno, Jean Repetto, Lucky Dog, Chris Flanagan, John Ogle, Jessie Wickman, Joe Cable, John Quintos, Scott Pierce, Jim Prior, Lisa D. and Vanessa Bain.
Alienation
Fifteen Lyrics
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Soviets and Americans - Brothers and
Sisters
Iraqis and Iranians - Parents and Children
Mexicans and Americans - Brother, are you an alien?
No brother I'm from the planet Earth
And we got
White man and Black man - Brothers and Sisters
Brown man and every man - Brother, what's your Race?
No Brother I'm from the Human Race
Separation, division, it's so easy to find a reason
But it all means nothing, when the end comes crashing down
I've heard a million reasons why we should hate each other
I ain't heard no reasons why we should get along
We should get along
And we got
Rich man and Poor man - Brothers and
Sisters
Right wing man and left wing man -
Parents and Children
Businessman and Everyman - What's your Classification?
No Brother I think we're all the same
Yeah Brother I Know we're all the same
I saw, I saw we're all the same
And we got
Protestants and Catholics - Brothers and
Sisters
Jews and Hindus - Parents and Children
Christians and Muslims - Hey man what's your Religion?
No Brother We're all God's Children
We're all God's Children
The lyrics of Alienation by Fifteen are a powerful message about the importance of unity and breaking down the barriers that divide us as human beings. The song highlights the absurdity of categorizing people based on their nationality, race, or religious affiliation when at the end of the day, we are all just human beings.
The first verse of the song mentions several different groups of people that are often pitted against each other in political or social conflicts, like the Soviets and Americans, Iraqis and Iranians, and Mexicans and Americans. However, the chorus reminds us that these divisions are meaningless in the grand scheme of things, as we are all just inhabitants of planet Earth.
The song then goes on to address other forms of separation, like the divide between rich and poor or right-wing and left-wing political ideologies. No matter how we try to classify ourselves, the song suggests that we are all fundamentally the same and should find unity in our shared humanity.
Overall, Alienation is a call for peace and understanding, asking us to look beyond our differences and come together as a global community.
Line by Line Meaning
And we've got
The following are different groups of people.
Soviets and Americans - Brothers and Sisters
Russians and Americans can be seen as family.
Iraqis and Iranians - Parents and Children
Iraq and Iran can be seen as a family.
Mexicans and Americans - Brother, are you an alien?
Mexicans question Americans' belongingness in America.
No brother I'm from the planet Earth
Individuals identify with the human race.
And we got
The following are different groups of people.
White man and Black man - Brothers and Sisters
Race does not affect brotherhood.
Yellow man and Red man - Parents and Children
Race does not affect family ties.
Brown man and every man - Brother, what's your Race?
Even with different ethnicities, individuals should be seen as family.
No Brother I'm from the Human Race
Categorization by ethnicity is not necessary.
Separation, division, it's so easy to find a reason
It is simple to find differences.
But it all means nothing, when the end comes crashing down
At the end of it all, we are all human.
I've heard a million reasons why we should hate each other
There are numerous excuses for segregation.
I ain't heard no reasons why we should get along
There are not enough reasons to encourage unity.
We should get along
Peaceful coexistence.
And we got
The following are different groups of people.
Rich man and Poor man - Brothers and Sisters
Economic status does not affect brotherhood.
Right wing man and left wing man - Parents and Children
Political affiliation does not affect family ties.
Businessman and Everyman - What's your Classification?
Categorization by profession is not necessary.
No Brother I think we're all the same
No one person is superior to another.
Yeah Brother I Know we're all the same
The value of each person is equal.
I saw, I saw we're all the same
There is no point in emphasizing differences.
And we got
The following are different groups of people.
Protestants and Catholics - Brothers and Sisters
Different religions should not impact familial ties.
Jews and Hindus - Parents and Children
Different religions should not impact familial ties.
Christians and Muslims - Hey man what's your Religion?
There should be no questions concerning religious affiliation.
No Brother We're all God's Children
Every individual deserves respect and love.
We're all God's Children
A reminder of our shared humanity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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