U.S.
Gabby Michelle Lyrics
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A woman in the white house, first lady POTUS
Oh say can you see
Yeah and tell me would you notice
The power she carries, not from who she marries, no
Or is or isn't wearing
Things aren't running so great
People are running away
Could I run someday I once asked and you laughed
Sounded like my past, know your place, don't ask
And if I had all the facts to my truths
You'd try to disprove, the cries of Me Too
First my body then my voice
Now you're tryna take my choice
Taking seats in the house but I'm still standing up
Wondering when will U.S. spell us
Us, us, us, us
By the dawn's early light
Will I see what the dark tries to hide
By the dawn's early light
Will the truth ring true through the lies
Will the day show color
And how each one sees a brother in the other
Will the day bring lovers
From the sides that they ran to for cover from each other
Or will we find brand new names for division
Ways to keep free souls locked in prisons
Games made long ago that we're lost in
Greed hiding in the powers we trust in
Why oh why oh why oh why oh why oh why
Do liberty and justice look like
American dreams lying in the dust
Tell me when will U.S. spell us
Us, us, us, us
Representation
The land of the free
Building walls and cages, in the name of greatness
Does each heritage earn a mention
That's not the attention of a racist cliche
The land of the free
Am I a threat on arrival to your survival
What if I'm gay
Am I still free to be even if you see more than 3 colors in the flag that I wave
Can the brave ones who long for a home
Call this land home for themselves and their own
What will they find when they make their way here
New days to suffer and more nights to fear
Battle-worn forgotten on the streets
Along with the battle-worn who fought overseas
In four years will this home be, more or less, what it was
Tell me when will U.S. spell us
Us, us, us, us
In "U.S." by Gabby Michelle, the lyrics challenge the American dream and the current state of the country, asking when will the United States truly encompass all of the people it represents. The lyrics touch on topics such as representation, racial and social divides, and women's rights. The opening line "Oh say can you see" alludes to the National Anthem, and from the start, the lyrics question the possibility of a woman as the President of the United States. The chorus repeats "us" over and over, emphasizing the idea of inclusion and a united effort towards a better future.
The song speaks on the power dynamic between men and women and how that affects women's ability to run for political positions, despite their qualifications. The line "The power she carries, not from who she marries, no" challenges the notion of a woman's worth being tied to her husband’s status. The lyrics also touch on the Me Too movement and how women's voices have been silenced in the past. The song questions the current state of the country and wonders if things will improve, or if they will just continue to worsen.
Overall, "U.S." sheds light on how much work needs to be done to achieve equality and representation for all groups of people living in America, challenging listeners to take a closer look at the current state of the country and the reality of the American dream.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh say can you see
Do you see and understand
A woman in the white house, first lady POTUS
A female President of the United States and her power as the First Lady.
Yeah and tell me would you notice
Would you recognize her power and achievements if it's not based on her appearance or husband.
The power she carries, not from who she marries, no
The woman's power comes from her own abilities and not from her spouse.
Or is or isn't wearing
Or based on what clothes she's wearing.
Things aren't running so great
Current state of the U.S. is not ideal.
People are running away
People are fleeing the country.
Or running here but then they can't stay
People come to seek refuge but face challenges to stay.
Could I run someday I once asked and you laughed
Aspiring to become a political figure but being rejected for it in the past.
Sounded like my past, know your place, don't ask
Being told to stay in one's place and not seek power.
And if I had all the facts to my truths
If one had all information to support their truth.
You'd try to disprove, the cries of Me Too
Others will attempt to discredit your experience, as seen in the Me Too movement.
First my body then my voice
First, being objectified because of physical appearance, then discredited because of their voice.
Now you're tryna take my choice
Now, power is trying to restrict their freedom of choice.
Taking seats in the house but I'm still standing up
Despite the current occupants not representing this mindset, I still actively stand for what I believe in.
Wondering when will U.S. spell us
When will the system be fairer and truly represent us as individuals.
By the dawn's early light
Early morning, the start of a new day.
Will I see what the dark tries to hide
Will the truth be revealed from the things that people try to conceal.
Will the truth ring true through the lies
Will the true narrative be known despite the false one presented.
Will the day show color
Will there be diversity.
And how each one sees a brother in the other
Recognizing all as kin.
Will the day bring lovers
Will there be more acceptance and love.
From the sides that they ran to for cover from each other
Acceptance regardless of differences.
Or will we find brand new names for division
Will we further divide ourselves with new labels and distinctions.
Ways to keep free souls locked in prisons
Tactics used to control and oppress the masses.
Games made long ago that we're lost in
Systems no longer serving the greater good, but still upheld for the sake of tradition.
Greed hiding in the powers we trust in
Corruption and greed prevalent in the governing bodies.
Why oh why oh why oh why oh why oh why
Repetition of this line emphasizes the frustration of the situation.
Do liberty and justice look like American dreams lying in the dust
Is the American dream truly rooted in liberty and justice, or is that just a façade.
Tell me when will U.S. spell us
When will the U.S. truly represent and include us all.
Representation
The importance of political and social representation.
The land of the free
America's claim to freedom.
Building walls and cages, in the name of greatness
Restrictions on freedom, inspired by a supposed desire for national progress.
Does each heritage earn a mention
Is each culture and individual truly valued and recognized.
That's not the attention of a racist cliche
Not to be treated as a caricature or stereotype.
Am I a threat on arrival to your survival
Is my presence or existence a threat to yours.
What if I'm gay
Even if I live a non-heterosexual lifestyle.
Am I still free to be even if you see more than 3 colors in the flag that I wave
Can I still express myself and live freely even though I may embody values outside the traditional American identity.
Can the brave ones who long for a home
Immigrants who seek a new home away from their own.
Call this land home for themselves and their own
If they find a home here, can they present themselves fully and unapologetically.
What will they find when they make their way here
What will be the reality of the American Dream for them when they arrive.
New days to suffer and more nights to fear
Will they just inherit the same struggles they left behind.
Battle-worn forgotten on the streets
Veterans who fought for this country treated poorly and left unassisted.
Along with the battle-worn who fought overseas
And veterans who served outside the country conflicts, also left neglected.
In four years will this home be, more or less, what it was
Will real change happen within four years.
Tell me when will U.S. spell us
When will the U.S. authentically embrace us all without discrimination.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Gabrielle Tulloch, Kwame Nkrumah
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind