Their music initially featured many influences from 60s psychedelia, played with a rough lo-fi abandon. They self-released several EPs and albums between 2007 and 2011, including "30 track space opera" Jurassic Exxplosion Philippic, most of which are by now scarcely available. In 2011, they met producer/songwriter Richard Swift after handing him one of their EPs, and Swift would go on to work with them for some subsequent albums. After being signed to Jagjaguwar Records, Take the Kids Off Broadway, was released as their debut album on July 24, 2012. On January 22, 2013, they released their second album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic. This album was produced by Richard Swift and recorded at his National Freedom studios.
For each album Foxygen 'chooses' a different era in music history to focus themselves on. We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic is based on the sixties, ...And Star Power was seventies and their newest release Hang is based on the forties.
Album discographyJurrassic Exxplosion Phillipic (2007)Take the Kids Off Broadway (2011)We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic (2013)...And Star Power (2014)Hang (2017)Seeing Other People (2019)
We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
Foxygen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, it really isn't even too hard to be
In the twenty, twenty, twenty-first century
We are the twenty-first century
It really isn't even too hard to be
(Say it again)
We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace and magic
(Fish man)
See the big orange slug in the purple grass
Well, if you ain't ready for it to pass
If you're really really really really not ready to pass
Well, the twenty-first century's gonna kick your ass, boy
(Say it again)
We're the twenty / lots of money /
Philosophers / ambassadors of peace & magic
But if you're not in class then you cannot answer
You can't be funny if you want to make money now
We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace and magic
We are the 21st century
We are the 21st century
We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace and magic
On Blue Mountain God insists you
Put the pieces back together
Free to live, free to do what I want
Go out and get it
In Foxygen's song "We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic," the lyrics reference the idea that living free and being successful in the modern world is not as difficult as it may seem. The song encourages listeners to have a positive outlook on the 21st century and embrace the opportunities that it presents. The opening lines of the song proclaim, "Free, free / Well, it really isn't even too hard to be / In the twenty, twenty, twenty-first century / We are the twenty-first century." The lyrics suggest that the modern world is full of opportunities for success and happiness, and that living a free and fulfilling life is achievable.
The song also references the presence of obstacles in the modern world. The line "See the big orange slug in the purple grass / Well, if you ain't ready for it to pass" suggests that unexpected challenges may arise, and encourages listeners to be prepared to face them. The line "Well, the twenty-first century's gonna kick your ass, boy" further emphasizes the idea that difficulties may arise in the modern world, but those who are prepared will ultimately succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Free, free
We have the freedom to live life on our own terms
Well, it really isn't even too hard to be
Being successful and happy isn't a difficult task
In the twenty, twenty, twenty-first century
In this modern era of time
We are the twenty-first century
We are the people living in the modern era
It really isn't even too hard to be
Success and happiness are achievable with minimal effort
(Say it again)
Repeating our message for emphasis
We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace and magic
We are the representatives of harmony and wonder in this day and age
(Fish man)
A non-related lyrical phrase that is not intended to convey any significant meaning
We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace and magic
We are the advocates of peace and enchantment in the current era
See the big orange slug in the purple grass
A seemingly meaningless phrase that may be a reference to psychedelic drug use
Well, if you ain't ready for it to pass
If you can't handle the strange and unknown aspects of life
If you're really really really really not ready to pass
If you're unable to accept changes that come your way
Well, the twenty-first century's gonna kick your ass, boy
If you can't adapt to the present era, you will struggle
(Say it again)
Repeating our warning about being resistant to change
We're the twenty / lots of money / Philosophers / ambassadors of peace & magic
We are intellectuals who represent harmony and wonder while also acquiring wealth
But if you're not in class then you cannot answer
If you're not open to learning or experiencing new things, you'll miss out
You can't be funny if you want to make money now
If you're too focused on making money, you can't prioritize being humorous or carefree
We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace and magic
Reiterating that we are representatives of harmony and wonder in this era
We are the 21st century
Stating again that we are living in the current era
We are the 21st century
Emphasizing our role as ambassadors of the modern world
We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace and magic
Repeating our message that harmony and enchantment are important values in this era
On Blue Mountain God insists you
Another meaningless phrase that appears to reference religion and spirituality
Put the pieces back together
Encouraging people to restore balance or wholeness to their lives
Free to live, free to do what I want
Expressing freedom to live life as one desires
Go out and get it
Encouraging people to pursue their dreams and aspirations
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jonathan Rado, Sam France
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew Cohen
Best Foxygen video to date. And one of my favorite songs from you guys. Sam...get your body healed and get back to hopping on stage before you end up in the cemetery for kick-ass rock singers.
theneedledrop
Actually, a really cool, modern progressions of all of those old school psychedelic visual effects. This ruled.
Potage
theneedledrop the official end of the world album
JuanOnJuan6
I find it sad that this hasn't gotten many views. This song takes REAL elements from psychedelic music back in the day.
OH_I _Will
Worry less about views and more on rockin man...
JuanOnJuan6
@Garrett Stryszko True
Garrett Stryszko
Its not about the numbers man. This is better than that.
the Hacob Cartoon
Awesome song and video. This really inspires me in many artistic ways :) Beautiful.
SarahSueBearah
I can't even explain how euphoric this made me. I love it strangley enough...
TrailerPoopers
This music vid is fantastic