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.
Circles
Fifteen Lyrics
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His mom beat him up so bad
There was nothin' we could do about it
It happened to his brothers too
As we got older his brothers
Started acting just like his mom
Somehow he knew
He didn't want to be like that
We saw Fang and the Ramones
We saw Violent Coercion over and over
I have him some acid
I thought it might do him some good
As it already shown me
I didn't want any part of this sick society
But It didn't seem to work
I heard he's training at the police academy
I heard he's training at the police academy
I heard he's one of the CONCORD police
Life goes in circles I know,
I just wish they weren't so ugly
Life goes in circles I know,
I just with they weren't so stupid
Life goes in circles I know
I just wish they weren't so brutal
Life goes in circles I know
I just wish they weren't so fatal
The lyrics of Fifteen's song "Circles" tell a story that is both heartbreaking and insightful. The song tells the story of a boy named Dennis, who is raised in an abusive household. His mother beats him and his brothers, and as they grow up, the abuse continues. However, Dennis is determined not to become like his mother and tries to find a way out.
The singer takes Dennis to see some punk shows, hoping that it will help him escape from the toxic environment he grew up in. He gives him acid, hoping that it will open up new perspectives for him. However, despite his best efforts, Dennis eventually joins the police academy. The song stresses that life goes in circles, and although this may be inevitable, it is difficult to accept when those circles are so brutal and fatal.
The song is a testament to the fact that sometimes, no matter how hard we try to break the cycle, the past has a way of pulling us back in. It paints a vivid picture of the dangers of living in a world that can be both cruel and unrelenting. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing the power of influence – how the right kind of people and experiences can change our lives for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up with a kid named Dennis
This person is introducing the character named Dennis with whom they grew up.
His mom beat him up so bad
Dennis was abused by his mother in a severe way.
There was nothin' we could do about it
The singer and others around Dennis could not stop the abuse from happening.
It happened to his brothers too
Dennis' brothers also suffered from their mother's abuse.
As we got older his brothers
As time went on, Dennis' brothers began to act like their abusive mother.
Started acting just like his mom
The behavior of Dennis' brothers became similar to that of their abusive mother.
Somehow he knew
Dennis was aware of the negative impact of his family's abuse and didn't want to follow in their footsteps.
He didn't want to be like that
Dennis did not want to become like his abusive mother or brothers.
Later on, I took him to some shows
The artist brought Dennis to some live music performances.
We saw Fang and the Ramones
The artist and Dennis attended performances by musicians named Fang and the Ramones.
We saw Violent Coercion over and over
The singer and Dennis repeatedly saw a band called Violent Coercion.
I have him some acid
The artist gave Dennis a psychedelic drug called acid.
I thought it might do him some good
The singer believed the drug could benefit Dennis in some way.
As it already shown me
The singer had a positive experience with the psychedelic drug themselves and thought it could help Dennis too.
I didn't want any part of this sick society
The singer is critical of society and does not want to be involved in it.
But It didn't seem to work
The experiment with the psychedelic drug did not seem to have a positive effect on Dennis.
I heard he's training at the police academy
The artist heard that Dennis is now training to become a police officer.
I heard he's one of the CONCORD police
Dennis is a member of the police force in CONCORD.
Life goes in circles I know,
The singer acknowledges that life has a cyclical nature.
I just wish they weren't so ugly
The artist wishes that the cycles of life were not so full of violence and negativity.
I just with they weren't so stupid
The artist wishes that people were not so ignorant and that society wasn't permeated by stupidity.
I just wish they weren't so brutal
The artist wishes that life did not involve so much brutality.
I just wish they weren't so fatal
The singer wishes that the cycles of life did not lead to so much death and suffering.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Americant
One of my favorite Fifteen songs. I love the story telling.