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.
Evolve
Fifteen Lyrics
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I didn't smoke nothing today
I didn't get in a car today,
I rode my bike on the freeway
I'm not your savior today,
I'm not your lover today
I'm not your object today,
I'm your brother today
I didn't pay no rent today, just so I could lie on the ground
I went and picked a house out,
I kicked the door down
I didn't shoot no dope today, just put on my guitar and play
I get on my knees and pray, that we're gonna find a way
Revolution
I don't need to kill anyone, 'cause it's all in my head, do I believe
And abide by the rules of property
Do I submit myself to the never ending wage slavery
I don't need to kill anyone, 'cause it's all in my head, do I believe
That the women and the children, and the animals, the skies and the seas, are my property
I don't need to kill anyone, 'cause it's all in my head, do I believe
That to get through the today I need nicotine, I need caffeine, I need speed Evolve, love
In "Evolve," Fifteen sings about his realization that he doesn't need to use drugs or alcohol to find purpose in life. Instead, he has found a new passion in music and committing to a wider cause. He uses his bike on the freeway instead of a car, and instead of laying around or taking drugs, he chooses to play his guitar and pray. He no longer submits to the rules of property or wage slavery, but instead recognizes the need for revolution in society. He questions his beliefs about the ownership of people, animals, and the environment and realizes that he needs to work towards a world where all life is respected and valued. The overall message of the song is that evolving as a person is important and it is necessary to look beyond oneself to create a better, more just society.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't take a drink today,
I abstained from alcohol consumption today,
I didn't smoke nothing today
I refrained from smoking anything today,
I didn't get in a car today,
I avoided the use of a car today,
I rode my bike on the freeway
I used a bike to travel on the freeway,
I'm not your savior today,
I am not your rescuer today,
I'm not your lover today
I am not your romantic partner today,
I'm not your object today,
I am not your possession today,
I'm your brother today
I am your sibling today,
Revolution
This is about making a radical change,
I didn't pay no rent today, just so I could lie on the ground
I deliberately chose not to pay rent so I could rest on the ground,
I went and picked a house out,
I selected a house,
I kicked the door down
I broke the door down,
I didn't shoot no dope today, just put on my guitar and play
I refrained from using drugs today and chose to play guitar instead,
I get on my knees and pray, that we're gonna find a way
I pray for a solution,
Revolution
This is about making a radical change,
I don't need to kill anyone, 'cause it's all in my head, do I believe
I don't have to harm anyone because it's just my thoughts, do I truly believe that,
And abide by the rules of property
To conform to the concept of possession,
Do I submit myself to the never ending wage slavery
Do I become a participant in the endless cycle of working for wages,
That the women and the children, and the animals, the skies and the seas, are my property
That I have ownership over women, children, animals, skies, and seas,
That to get through the today I need nicotine, I need caffeine, I need speed
That to survive today, I depend on nicotine, caffeine, and speed,
Evolve, love
This song is all about transformation and love.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind