Five Iron Frenzy started as a local side-project of Reese, Keith, Micah, and Scott's band Exhumator. Although the original intent was for the band to stay local and help support the local music scene, Five Iron Frenzy (FIF, or Five Iron) signed to Frank Tate's 5 Minute Walk records in 1995 and was touring nationally within a year. They reached the peak of their fame around 2000, with the release of All The Hype That Money Can Buy. They were known for dressing up in wacky costumes and fundraising for social causes. In December 2002, they announced that they would be breaking up after a final tour. They played the final show of the tour on November 22, 2003 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, which was recorded for The End Is Here (disc 2) (this disc features that show in its entirety and was sold with the band's album, The End is Near). This show had an attendance of over 4,000 people.
On November 22, 2011, they announced via social media outlets and a week-long online scavenger hunt that they were recording a new album. The entire project was crowd funded in under an hour and met with a reunion show and touring. The results of the endeavor, Engine of a Million Plots, was released on November 26th, 2013. All members of the 2003 lineup participated in the project, with the exception of bassist Keith Hoerig, who was replaced by original guitarist Scott Kerr (who had left the band in 1998).
One Girl Army
Five Iron Frenzy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breaking the mold with,
Truth to take away the trickery.
Twenty centuries of progress,
Suffer slowly as we regress,
Losing headway to ourselves.
Behold the covers, the sisters, the mothers,
The daughters, and spouses, on the magazines.
How could she fill those shoes?
Propaganda meant to fuel their schemes.
She is strong but never silent,
Sure of where her truth/strength comes from.,
One day, one girl army will overcome.
Treading the current, issues at hand,
Shifting, we sway, from justice and then back again.
What we once broke, He has made right,
Lifting her up, giving birth to Jesus Christ.
The lyrics to Five Iron Frenzy's song, One Girl Army, speak to the distorted portrayal of women in the media and society at large. The opening lines, "Here lies the old myth, breaking the mold with, truth to take away the trickery," suggest that the song will challenge a preconceived notion or stereotype; in this case, it is the "myth" that women are inferior to men. The following lines, "Twenty centuries of progress, suffer slowly as we regress, losing headway to ourselves," acknowledge that despite certain advancements in gender equality, society has not necessarily progressed as much as it may seem.
The subsequent lines, "Behold the covers, the sisters, the mothers, the daughters, and spouses, on the magazines. Truth has been abused. How could she fill those shoes? Propaganda meant to fuel their schemes" emphasize the means by which women are diminished in today's society. By showing the images of women on magazine covers, Five Iron Frenzy is indicating the typical portrayal of women in mass media -reduced to nothing more than objects of sexual desire. They question how women can be expected to aspire to or live up to unrealistic standards when the truth has been distorted in the name of propaganda - which is meant to keep women suppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Here lies the old myth,
Referring to the myth that women are weaker than men and deserve less respect, which is being challenged by this song.
Breaking the mold with,
Challenging the traditional view of women and their place in society.
Truth to take away the trickery.
Exposing the lies and deceit that often surround discussions of women's rights and roles.
Twenty centuries of progress,
Acknowledging the progress that has been made in women's rights over the past 2000 years.
Suffer slowly as we regress,
Noting that despite this progress, there are still instances where women are not treated equally and are held back.
Losing headway to ourselves.
Recognizing that we are the ones who are holding ourselves back and limiting our progress.
Behold the covers, the sisters, the mothers,
Drawing attention to the media's portrayal of women in a narrow and limited way.
The daughters, and spouses, on the magazines.
Pointing out that even women who are in important roles are often presented in a trivialized and sexualized way.
Truth has been abused.
Stating that the message of women's strength and worth has been lost in the media's portrayal of them.
How could she fill those shoes?
Questioning why women are expected to be 'like men' in order to be considered strong and powerful.
Propaganda meant to fuel their schemes.
Arguing that media messaging about women is meant to keep them in traditional roles and maintain the status quo.
She is strong but never silent,
Affirming that women can be powerful without having to conform to male norms.
Sure of where her truth/strength comes from.,
Recognizing that women have their own sources of power that don't have to come from men.
One day, one girl army will overcome.
Expressing hope that women will continue to gain power and recognition and that someday they will fully overcome the limitations placed on them.
Treading the current, issues at hand,
Dealing with the problems that women face in the present and not just looking to the past or future.
Shifting, we sway, from justice and then back again.
Recognizing the ups and downs of progress and the need to continue fighting for women's rights.
What we once broke, He has made right,
Referring to a belief that God supports women's equality and will help to correct the injustices they have faced.
Lifting her up, giving birth to Jesus Christ.
Celebrating the idea that women can be lifted up and honored as spiritual leaders and equals to men.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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