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.
Lucky
Fifteen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said I hate to be the one to tell you this
My beloved sister called me on the phone today
She said Lucky Dog shot himself in the head today
My beloved brother called me on the phone today
He said I saw them take his body away
He said I found a note next to a rock of speed
Got me to thinking how we used to drive around
Listen to NWA and steal people's recycle
Got me to thinking how we cut up every door
In the house, burn them up in the fireplace
Got me to thinking how we used to hang out the window
Fish for pigeons and little black girls
Got me to thinking how we used to do dumb shit
And think it was so cool
Hey kid I hope you know sometimes life is gonna suck
Hey kid I hope you know sometimes everything is gonna be fucked up
Hey kid I hope you know the only way around your problems is straight through them
Nothing is insurmountable,
Nothing is undoable,
Nothing is unbeatable,
Nothing is impossible
The song "Lucky" by Fifteen is a heartfelt tribute to a friend who has died under tragic circumstances. The song opens with the singer receiving a phone call from their sister, who tells them that their friend, who they refer to as Lucky Dog, has shot himself in the head. The singer's brother also calls to inform them of the details of the friend's death. The lyrics then proceed to reminisce about the times the singer spent with Lucky Dog, engaging in reckless behavior and doing things that seemed cool at the time but are now seen through a lens of nostalgia and regret. The chorus offers some words of wisdom to the listener, acknowledging that life is full of hardships, but that there is always a way through.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, which are full of emotion and raw feeling. The phone calls that the singer receives convey a sense of shock and despair, with their sister and brother informing them of the horrific news about their friend. The references to NWA and stealing people's recyclables, cutting up doors and burning them in the fireplace, and fishing for pigeons and black girls all evoke a sense of youthful rebellion and defiance that is tinged with sadness and loss. The final lines of the chorus offer some hope and encouragement, reminding the listener that no obstacle is too great to overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
My beloved sister called me on the phone today
My dear sister contacted me today over the phone
She said I hate to be the one to tell you this
She conveyed she had an unpleasant news to share
My beloved sister called me on the phone today
My dear sister contacted me today over the phone
She said Lucky Dog shot himself in the head today
She informed me that Lucky Dog committed suicide by shooting himself in the head
My beloved brother called me on the phone today
My dear brother phoned me today
He said I saw them take his body away
He told me that he witnessed them taking away Lucky Dog's dead body
He said I found a note next to a rock of speed
He found a note near the stash of drug speed
It said "give my dog to my folks, Sell my shit I cant trust anyone" "goodBye"
The note contained an instruction- to give his dog to family, sell his belongings as he did not trust anyone and bid farewell
Got me to thinking how we used to drive around
Reminded me of the times when we used to roam around in a vehicle
Listen to NWA and steal people's recycle
Recalled the fun moments of listening to NWA music and stealing recycling materials belonging to others
Got me to thinking how we cut up every door
Made me ponder about how we destroyed each door in the house
In the house, burn them up in the fireplace
How we burned the doors inside the house in the fireplace
Got me to thinking how we used to hang out the window
Revived memories of sitting by the window
Fish for pigeons and little black girls
Recollected how we tried to catch pigeons and young African-American girls from the window
Got me to thinking how we used to do dumb shit
Made me think how we did imprudent things in the past
And think it was so cool
Although silly, we felt it was interesting
Hey kid I hope you know sometimes life is gonna suck
A sincere message to a young individual, warning that life does not always bode well
Hey kid I hope you know sometimes everything is gonna be fucked up
Conveying the idea that occasionally, everything would seem to be disarrayed
Hey kid I hope you know the only way around your problems is straight through them
Encouraging someone that there is no alternative path to follow to overcome obstacles but confrontation
Nothing is insurmountable,
An assertion that there is no problem too overwhelming to overcome
Nothing is undoable,
Suggesting that with hard work, nothing cannot be achieved
Nothing is unbeatable,
Conveying the message that there is no challenge that cannot be defeated
Nothing is impossible
Persuading others that every goal or task is achievable
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JEFFREY OTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@subiesteve2578
Payback Is Beautiful:
Mama it's been seven long years since I came and talk to you
Mama you said don't worry son this whole world is here for you.
Mama you told me people who claim to own the Earth are fools.
Mama you told me its only human arrogance that claims to make all the rules
And surely there's only one law
What goes around comes around
Mama lately I've been thinking about how us people tend to think
That Nature is here, or nature is there or nature is one place but not everywhere
Mama I guess we're just too afraid to admit
That streets are violence,
Buildings are violence,
Our lives are violence.
And surely there is only one law
What goes around comes around
Hey mister Conquistador,
500 years, of pillage and plunder, it will crush you
Hey mister Missionary, 500 years, of kidnapping and brainwashing, it will destroy you
Hey mister Military, 500 years, of rape and murder, it will crush you.
Hey mister CEO, 500 years, of pillage and plunder it will destroy you.
What goes around comes around
@skycatlive1576
Oh thank you sooooo much. THis is maybe the most important punk album ever cut, mustn't fade due to it's underground DIY nature, must be experienced by modern punkers too.
@brettmiller5443
Schuyler Smith Yes...it very well could be!
@subiesteve2578
+Schuyler Smith (Sky) This album and Operation Ivy's Energy
@briansmith2234
Thanks for the upload! I have this one on vinyl and it always amazes me.
@jeremyknifley
This is a very important album to me! Thank you Brandon Lien!
@mikekristin7201
My friend me too. I'm 38. I didn't understand how much I would relate with this man when I was 16.
@jeremyknifley
@@mikekristin7201 Awesome! That so great! Listen to this album alot while working as a cook at nursing home!
@mikekristin7201
@@jeremyknifley I'm almost afraid to ask because I feel so deeply for this dude do you know what has become of him? His daughter? I have a four-year-old now and I relate so hard to the way he talks about his kid and the values I want to leave for us
@jeremyknifley
@@mikekristin7201 No I dont but my buddy Brandon knows the dude. He was in Modesto California years ago?and went to spme of their shows. I?asl him?and see
@mikekristin7201
@@jeremyknifley that's excellent to hear. Like I said I was too young to know him when the songs were written but now that I've lived those years I've lost some good buddies that were in situations just like his and some of us have made it though not without scars. I'm so happy to hear it