THE ANTHEM
Good Charlotte feat. Hollywood Holt Lyrics
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Here, we go
It's a new day
But it all feels old
It's a good life
That's what I'm told
But every day, it all just feels the same
At my high school
It felt more to me
Like a jail cell
A penitentiary
My time spent there it only made me see
That I don't ever wanna be like you
I don't wanna do the things you do
I'm never gonna hear the words you say
And I don't ever wanna
I don't ever wanna be
You, don't wanna be just like you
What I'm sayin' is, this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You, don't wanna be you
Go to college
Or university
Get a real job
That's what they said to me
But I could never, live the way they want
I'm gonna get by
And just do my time
Out of step while
They all get in line
I'm just a minor threat so pay no mind
Do you really wanna to be like them?
Do you really wanna be another trend?
Do you wanna be part of that crowd?
'Cause I don't ever wanna
I don't ever wanna be, you
Don't wanna be just like you
Oh what I'm saying is, this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You, don't wanna be you
Shake it once that's fine
Shake it twice that's okay
Shake it three times
Your playin' with your self again
(You, don't wanna be just like you)
What I'm saying is, this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
Y'all got to feel me
Sing if you're with me
You, don't wanna be just like you
(Be just like you)
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
Y'all got to feel me
Sing if you're with me
Another loser anthem
(Woah)
Another loser anthem
(Woah)
Another loser anthem
(Woah)
Another loser anthem
The Anthem by Good Charlotte is a song that speaks to the teenage experience of feeling like an outsider and rejecting the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The lyrics express a desire to break free from the mundane routine of everyday life and chart one's own path, even if it means going against the norm. The song has a powerful chorus that encourages listeners to throw their hands up and join in singing the anthem of independence and rebellion.
The opening lines describe the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of monotony, despite being told that life is good. The singer reflects on their experience in high school as a metaphor for feeling trapped in a penal institution. They reject the idea of following in the footsteps of their peers and living life the way society expects them to. The theme of rejecting conformity is further explored in the second verse, where the singer resists pressure to go to college, get a "real job," and live a conventional life.
The chorus is the central part of the song and serves as a rallying cry for those who feel misunderstood and want to break away from the pack. The repetition of the phrase "I don't ever wanna be just like you" reinforces the idea of individuality and defiance. The bridge of the song adds a touch of humor with the line "shake it three times, you're playin' with yourself again," but ultimately ends on a serious note with the repetition of the phrase "another loser anthem."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
An affirmative response to something, possibly an introduction to the song
Here, we go
Indicates that something is about to happen, possibly the start of the song
It's a new day
A new opportunity to make a change in life
But it all feels old
Despite the new day, things feel stagnant and unchanging
It's a good life
Life is generally positive and full of opportunities
That's what I'm told
The singer is aware that others say life is good despite their own feelings
But every day, it all just feels the same
The singer feels tired of the same routine and wants change
At my high school
The artist is referring to their experiences in high school
It felt more to me
The artist has a different perspective from others about their high school experience
Like a jail cell
The artist felt trapped and confined in high school
A penitentiary
High school felt like a place of punishment and confinement for the singer
My time spent there it only made me see
Going through high school helped the artist realize they don't want to be like others who just follow the norm
That I don't ever wanna be like you
The singer doesn't want to live their life following the same path as others
I don't wanna do the things you do
The singer doesn't want to conform to societal expectations and norms
I'm never gonna hear the words you say
The singer doesn't want to listen to the advice and expectations of others.
And I don't ever wanna
The artist has a strong desire to rebel against societal expectations
You, don't wanna be just like you
The artist doesn't want to be like others who follow the norm
What I'm sayin' is, this is the anthem
The singer wants to start a movement against societal expectations
Throw all your hands up
A call to action, a symbol of rebellion
Go to college
A common expectation placed upon young adults
Or university
A higher level of education and societal expectation
Get a real job
Society places emphasis on getting a job to support oneself
That's what they said to me
The singer has doubts about the traditional path others are encouraging them to take
But I could never, live the way they want
The artist is determined to pave their own path in life
I'm gonna get by
The singer plans to survive without conforming to society's expectations
And just do my time
The singer may not be living the traditional life, but they still plan on living their life to the fullest
Out of step while
The singer is not following the same path as others in life
They all get in line
Others are conforming to expectations and norms, but the artist is not
I'm just a minor threat so pay no mind
The artist is aware that their actions may seem minor or meaningless compared to others, but still believes in their cause
Do you really wanna to be like them?
The singer is questioning why others would want to conform to societal expectations
Do you really wanna be another trend?
The singer is questioning if living up to societal norms is truly fulfilling and worth it in the end
Do you wanna be part of that crowd?
The artist is questioning if conforming to societal expectations is really the best way to live life
Shake it once that's fine
A metaphorical statement referring to staying true to oneself and not engaging in anything that doesn't align with one's values
Shake it twice that's okay
It's okay to make mistakes or slip up, as long as it's a minor setback
Shake it three times
Continued repetitive mistakes or actions that don't align with one's values
Your playin' with your self again
The artist is warning against engaging in actions that don't align with one's values and desires
Y'all got to feel me
The singer wants others to understand and empathize with their perspective
Sing if you're with me
The singer is calling upon others to join their movement against societal expectations and norms
Another loser anthem
A phrase used to describe the song as rebellious against societal norms
(Woah)
An exclamation or sound effect that doesn't contribute to the meaning of the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Feldmann, Benji Madden, Joel Madden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind