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.
Famous
Fifteen Lyrics
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I want all my old friends to hate me
I don't wanna be able to walk down the street
In this town I won't be around
And you can read all about my life on the newspaper stand
My agent says you can't call me back but you understand
Hey now I'm famous and it really sucks
Hey now I'm famous can you lend me five bucks
Hey now I'm famous and I need a friend
The lyrics to Fifteen's song Famous seem to delve into the psyche of an individual who craves fame and the perils that come with it. The first two lines of the song— "I wanna be famous and have my face on TV, I want all my old friends to hate me"—highlight a tension between a desire for fame and a rejection of ordinary life where people might be content with the status quo. The lyrics convey a sense of dislocation and alienation from regular life, replaced by the trappings of success such as paparazzi coverage and press attention.
The next few lines "I don't wanna be able to walk down the street, In this town I won't be around, And you can read all about my life on the newspaper stand, My agent says you can't call me back but you understand" reinforce this theme of disconnection and reveal the downsides of fame, addressing how the songwriter experiences the loss of privacy and autonomy. The lyrics give a clear sense of the loneliness that can come with fame, where the songwriter's agent tells people they can't call her back, demonstrating a loss of direct contact with people.
The chorus of the song "Hey now, I'm famous and it really sucks, Hey now, I'm famous can you lend me five bucks, Hey now, I'm famous when will this all end, Hey now, I'm famous and I need a friend" paints a picture of the songwriter's ambivalence at having finally achieved success, suggesting that fame comes at a price beyond the luxuries of wealth and power. The lyrics highlight the discomforting feeling of needing friends at a time where everyone around the songwriter might want something from her, be it money, influence, or status. Notably, the lyrics resonate with those who have experienced success, portraying that fulfillment and contentment does not necessarily follow.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna be famous and have my face on TV
I desire to gain fame in the entertainment world and have my face broadcasted on television.
I want all my old friends to hate me
I wish for my former companions to resent my newfound stardom.
I don't wanna be able to walk down the street
I do not desire the ability to walk casually down roads, as fame would deprive me of such simplicity.
In this town I won't be around
I will no longer be present in this locality, as success would propel me towards bigger things.
And you can read all about my life on the newspaper stand
My life story and accomplishments will be readily available for the public to read and learn about through publications.
My agent says you can't call me back but you understand
My representative informs individuals that contacting me is not possible, but that they should comprehend the reasoning behind it.
Hey now I'm famous and it really sucks
I am presently renown, but it is far from ideal or enjoyable.
Hey now I'm famous can you lend me five bucks
Despite my success, I still face financial difficulties and require a small loan of five dollars.
Hey now I'm famous when will this all end
I question when my fame and the struggles that accompany it will come to an end.
Hey now I'm famous and I need a friend
Amidst the chaos of my celebrity status, I can't help but feel lonely and yearn for companionship.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIM MCGORMAN, MARISSA JACK, MARISSA RENEE SHIPP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind