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.
Intentions
Fifteen Lyrics
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Invalidate the words of the man so much wiser than myself
Tells me how to work my life away, so that I may someday
Die, knowing that I compromised
My intentions, and let my dreams turn to dust and fade away
leaving nothing, just so I can say
I've been a good boy mamma, played the part that I was assigned
But it's been eighteen years now
Of having my intentions drilled in the ground
It's been too many years now
Of having my dreams beaten down
I remember all the crazy dreams we had when we were younger
All ending finalized, by the prospect of working 9 to 5
And we believed it then, and we believe it now, but now I'm so much stronger
And I just can't see how we can sell ourselves short any longer
It don't mean much, much to me
I'm content, Human Being
The lyrics of Intentions by Fifteen talk about the conflict between societal expectations and personal dreams. The singer expresses how the sight of the rising sun invalidates the advice of a wiser man who tells him to work his life away so that he can die knowing he compromised his dreams and intentions. The singer laments how he played the part assigned to him without questioning anything or stepping out of line. He feels that his intentions have been drilled into the ground for eighteen years and his dreams have been beaten down.
The singer then remembers the crazy dreams he had when he was younger, which were eventually suppressed by the prospect of working a 9-5 job. He believes that it was an idea they believed back then and still believe now, but he is now stronger and cannot sell himself short any longer. He is content being a human being and implies that the societal pressure to compromise one's dreams is not worth it.
Overall, the lyrics of the song express the frustration of the singer with societal expectations and the pressure to compromise one's dreams. He implores the listener not to sell themselves short and pursue what truly matters to them.
Line by Line Meaning
At the sight of the sun, rising, seems to
The sunrise makes me question the wisdom of someone who tells me how to spend my life working towards a meaningless end.
Invalidate the words of the man so much wiser than myself
The person who tells me to follow a certain path is not necessarily wiser than me, and his words may not be meaningful or valuable.
Tells me how to work my life away, so that I may someday
The person in question instructs me to work my life away, hoping that I will one day achieve something, without considering my true intentions or desires.
Die, knowing that I compromised
If I don't follow my own intentions and dreams, I will have lived a compromised or unfulfilled life and died without truly living.
My intentions, and let my dreams turn to dust and fade away
If I let others decide my intentions and fail to pursue my own dreams, they will fade away into nothingness.
leaving nothing, just so I can say
I will have nothing to show for my life, except for being able to say that I followed someone else's instructions and expectations.
I've been a good boy mamma, played the part that I was assigned
I have followed society's expectations and played the role that was assigned to me, rather than making my own decisions.
Never questioned anything, never stepped out of line
I have never questioned authority, or thought for myself, or gone my own way, preferring to stay safe and within the established boundaries.
But it's been eighteen years now
I have lived my life for eighteen years following others' expectations.
Of having my intentions drilled in the ground
I have had my own intentions repeatedly suppressed and ignored or invalidated by those around me.
It's been too many years now
I have lived too long being unfulfilled and controlled by others.
Of having my dreams beaten down
I have repeatedly been discouraged or disregarded when it comes to my dreams or aspirations.
I remember all the crazy dreams we had when we were younger
I recall the wild and exciting dreams that my peers and I had in our youth, before we were told to conform.
All ending finalized, by the prospect of working 9 to 5
Those dreams were all cut short by the prospect of a mundane job and a routine life.
And we believed it then, and we believe it now, but now I'm so much stronger
We believed that we had to follow that path then, and some still believe that now, but I have grown stronger and wiser since then.
And I just can't see how we can sell ourselves short any longer
I can't accept the idea of settling for less than I'm capable of, or sacrificing my dreams any longer.
It don't mean much, much to me
Material possessions or social status don't hold much value to me, compared to a fulfilling life.
I'm content, Human Being
I am happy and fulfilled as a human being, and I reject external expectations or limitations on my happiness or success.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JEFFREY OTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind