Fishbone first assembled with John Norwood Fisher (bass), his brother Philip "Fish" Fisher (drums), Angelo Moore (vocals, saxophones and theremin), Kendall Jones (guitar), "Dirty" Walter A. Kibby II (vocals, trumpet), and Christopher Dowd (keyboards, trombone, vocals). They achieved their greatest success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, after which they went through many personnel changes. From 2003 to 2010, John Norwood Fisher and Angelo Moore were the last remaining original members of the band. In the 2010s, all the other original members except Kendall Jones rejoined the band for various reunions and anniversary activities.
Unyielding Conditioning
Fishbone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tune out from all that`s happening
Nobody deserves empathy
Nobody feels for me
We`ve all been trained by our worlds
I cannot see no one but me
No one can feel my emptiness
There is no openness
We`ve all been claimed by our worlds [X2]
But I have heard of ways
That say there`s light beyond the darkness
And everyone can keep their children warm
And togetherness will guide us safely
Through all Storms
Unyielding Conditioning
Remove all trace of memory
No one needs justice anymore
No voices raised in anger
We`ve all been tamed by our worlds [X2]
But I have heard of ways
Where people topple all injustice
No one lives their lives on bended knees
And all bigotry is like a disease
Drowned in the sea
And all can hold their head up high!
The lyrics to Fishbone's "Unyielding Conditioning" suggest a sense of disillusionment with the world and the systems that govern it. The opening lines advise the listener to "tune out from all that`s happening", seemingly indicating that the problems of the world are too great to bear, and perhaps even that we have been conditioned to be apathetic towards them. The lines "nobody deserves empathy / nobody feels for me" convey a sense of isolation and loneliness, suggesting that the singer feels as though they cannot relate to others or be understood.
The next section of the song suggests that this sense of isolation has been created by the world we live in. The lines "we've all been trained by our worlds / I cannot see no one but me / no one can feel my emptiness" indicate that the world around us has conditioned us to focus solely on ourselves, to the point where we can no longer empathize or connect with others. This is reinforced by the line "everybody must fend for themselves / there is no openness", which suggests that our society is one where individualism is valued over communalism.
However, the final section of the song offers hope that this conditioning can be overcome. The lines "but I have heard of ways / that say there's light beyond the darkness / and everyone can keep their children warm / and togetherness will guide us safely / through all storms" suggest that there are alternative ways of living and being that offer hope and connection. The final lines of the song "where people topple all injustice / no one lives their lives on bended knees / and all bigotry is like a disease / drowned in the sea / and all can hold their head up high!" suggest that a world where we can live in harmony with one another is possible, but only if we are willing to challenge the conditioning that keeps us apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Unyielding Conditioning
The idea that people have been ingrained with certain beliefs and behaviors that are difficult to relinquish.
Tune out from all that`s happening
Ignoring events taking place to focus on oneself.
Nobody deserves empathy
People do not warrant compassion or pity.
Nobody feels for me
The feeling that empathy and understanding do not exist.
We`ve all been trained by our worlds
People have been conditioned by their experiences and surroundings.
I cannot see no one but me
A sense of self-centeredness, where one is only capable of solely focusing on their own perspectives.
No one can feel my emptiness
The idea that nobody else can understand one's emotional vacancy.
Everybody must fend for themselves
Individuals are responsible for their own well-being and safety.
There is no openness
Lack of transparency or communication.
We`ve all been claimed by our worlds [X2]
Repetition of earlier lyrics, emphasizing the idea of being conditioned by one's environment.
But I have heard of ways
That say there`s light beyond the darkness
And everyone can keep their children warm
And togetherness will guide us safely
Through all Storms
Despite the bleak outlook, the singer has heard of hope and unity that can improve life and provide safety for future generations.
Remove all trace of memory
The desire to erase the past and start anew.
No one needs justice anymore
The sense that there is no point in pursuing justice or fairness.
No voices raised in anger
Apathy towards issues, as nobody is speaking out or getting upset about them.
We`ve all been tamed by our worlds [X2]
Repetition of earlier lyrics, emphasizing the idea of being subjugated by one's surroundings.
But I have heard of ways
Where people topple all injustice
No one lives their lives on bended knees
And all bigotry is like a disease
Drowned in the sea
And all can hold their head up high!
Despite the sense of hopelessness, there are ways for people to fight against injustice and discrimination, and ultimately gain a sense of pride and self-respect.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CALUP AND PALS
Unyielding Conditioning
Tune out from all that`s happening
Nobody deserves empathy
Nobody feels for me
We`ve all been trained by our worlds
I cannot see no one but me
No one can feel my emptiness
Everybody must fend for themselves
There is no openness
We`ve all been claimed by our worlds [X2]
But I have heard of ways
That say there`s light beyond the darkness
And everyone can keep their children warm
And togetherness will guide us safely
Through all Storms
Unyielding Conditioning
Remove all trace of memory
No one needs justice anymore
No voices raised in anger
We`ve all been tamed by our worlds [X2]
But I have heard of ways
Where people topple all injustice
No one lives their lives on bended knees
And all bigotry is like a disease
Drowned in the sea
And all can hold their head up high!
CALUP AND PALS
Unyielding Conditioning
Tune out from all that`s happening
Nobody deserves empathy
Nobody feels for me
We`ve all been trained by our worlds
I cannot see no one but me
No one can feel my emptiness
Everybody must fend for themselves
There is no openness
We`ve all been claimed by our worlds [X2]
But I have heard of ways
That say there`s light beyond the darkness
And everyone can keep their children warm
And togetherness will guide us safely
Through all Storms
Unyielding Conditioning
Remove all trace of memory
No one needs justice anymore
No voices raised in anger
We`ve all been tamed by our worlds [X2]
But I have heard of ways
Where people topple all injustice
No one lives their lives on bended knees
And all bigotry is like a disease
Drowned in the sea
And all can hold their head up high!
: o )
Makes me want to cry 😢
nowayout
A band that teaches how to live with dignity. FB are amazing writers and musicians
Chris Transistor
These guys aren't just a ska band.Their music has had everything in it like jazz,funk,swing,soul,metal,punk,and ska! If you are having a bad day just put on some fucking FISHBONE!
Nza420
Best Fishbone album was In Your Face.
Dr L q
Fishbone does reggae, blues, funk, R&B, Rock and metal!! The best live band ever!!
Joe Flatley
Plus a little ska... Haha
Gabriel Botsford
Where is the lie??????????
legomyego
Totally agree! I was down in 1987 and have seen them more than a few times. And saw them on the "Give A Monkey....." tour stop when half their band was "not able to be at the show" sad story to me, they were losing their brother to mental issues. But what an amazing, exuberant, and original plus savagely underrated musical family Fishbone is...just really one of the great things in life, is Fishbone! What!???
sadetwizelve
Better than Dave Matthews Band?