Restraint & Release
Gang of Youths Lyrics

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Hey, did the killer in your party, the intruder in our union kill your rage?
Where's your sense of adventure?
Has the power and the danger been restrained?
I'm not asking you for answers.
I'm not asking of you things that we can't change.
But you're brave and burned and [?] I'm asking you to shock yourself awake. '
Cause a soul will not cater to our reason or the passing of the seasons in our way.
I'm not buying what you're selling us, not taking what they're throwing in my face.

So don't shut me out again.
So don't shut me out again.
So don't shut me out again.
Hey, I'm not ending in no contest.
I'm not bending nor will I equivocate.
Or like weaker of our genus we evolve from every terrible mistake.
Hey, can't you see?
Can't you see me take off my winter clothes?
Those bastards fear us radicals the most. '
Cause a soul will not cater to our reason or the passing of the seasons in our way.
I'm not buying what they're selling us, not taking what they're throwing in our face.

So don't shut me out again.
So don't shut me out again.

Overall Meaning

The song "Restraint & Release" by Gang of Youths is a powerful call to action against oppression and the status quo. The lyrics speak to the idea of being awake and aware of the world around us, and not simply accepting what we are told. The opening lines ask whether the anger and passion that once existed has been subdued by those who seek to control us. The singer then asks where our sense of adventure is, and whether we have allowed ourselves to be tamed by those in power. The song then becomes more forceful, with the singer demanding that we shock ourselves awake and refuse to be silenced.

The lyrics contain a sense of urgency, with the singer stating that they won't back down or be silenced by those who try to control them. The phrase "restaint and release" refers to the idea of being held back, but eventually breaking free and achieving liberation. The singer is urging us to shed our winter coats and embrace change, to be radical and cause fear in those who seek to control us. The song is a call to action against oppression and an encouragement to stand up for what is right.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, did the killer in your party, the intruder in our union kill your rage?
Did the conflict between us extinguish your passion?

Where's your sense of adventure?
Why aren't you willing to take risks anymore?

Has the power and the danger been restrained?
Have we lost the excitement and intensity we once had?

I'm not asking you for answers.
I don't expect you to have all the solutions.

I'm not asking of you things that we can't change.
I'm not expecting the impossible from you.

But you're brave and burned and [?] I'm asking you to shock yourself awake. '
Despite your past struggles, I'm urging you to wake up and take action.

Cause a soul will not cater to our reason or the passing of the seasons in our way.
Our emotions and desires don't follow the rules of logic or time.

I'm not buying what you're selling us, not taking what they're throwing in my face.
I won't accept the lies and manipulation being directed at us.

So don't shut me out again.
Don't push me away like you have in the past.

Hey, I'm not ending in no contest.
I won't allow this to become a pointless competition.

I'm not bending nor will I equivocate.
I won't compromise or waver in my convictions.

Or like weaker of our genus we evolve from every terrible mistake.
We learn and grow from our worst experiences, unlike those who are too weak to change.

Hey, can't you see?
Can't you understand what I'm trying to say?

Can't you see me take off my winter clothes?
Can't you see that I'm shedding my protective layers and being vulnerable with you?

Those bastards fear us radicals the most. '
Those who oppose us are most afraid of our revolutionary ideas.

So don't shut me out again.
Once again, I'm asking you to listen to me and not shut me out.

So don't shut me out again.
I won't let you shut me out, even if you try.

Contributed by Charlie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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