Chained To The Rhythm
Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley Lyrics
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Livin' our lives through a lens
Trapped in our white picket fence
Like ornaments
So comfortable, we're livin' in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble
Aren't you lonely
Up there in utopia
Happily numb
So comfortable, we're livin' in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble
Ah-ha, so good
Your rose-colored glasses on
And party on (woo)
Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumblin' around like a wasted zombie
Yeah, we think we're free (ah-ha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm, to the rhythm
Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumblin' around like a wasted zombie
Yeah, we think we're free
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm, to the rhythm
Are we tone deaf?
Keep sweepin' it under the mat
Thought we could do better than that
I hope we can
So comfortable, we're livin' in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble
Ah-ha, so good (so good)
Your rose-colored glasses on
And party on (woo)
Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumblin' around like a wasted zombie
Yeah, we think we're free (ah-ha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm, to the rhythm
Turn it up, it's your favorite song (oh)
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumblin' around like a wasted zombie
Yeah, we think we're free (ah-ha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm, to the rhythm (woah, oh, oh)
It is my desire
Break down the walls to connect, inspire
Ayy, up in your high place, liars
Time is tickin' for the empire
The truth they feed is feeble
As so many times before
The greed over the people
They stumblin' and fumblin' and we're about to riot
They woke up, they woke up the lions (woah)
Turn it up, it's your favorite song (hey)
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up (turn it up, turn it up, yeah), keep it on repeat
Stumbling around like a wasted zombie (like a wasted zombie)
Yeah, we think we're free (ah)
Drink, this one's on me (ah)
We're all chained to the rhythm (we're all)
To the rhythm, to the rhythm (we're all, chained to the rhythm)
It goes on, and on, and on
It goes on, and on, and on (turn it up, it goes on and on and on and on)
It goes on, and on, and on (on and on and on it goes)
'Cause we're all chained to the rhythm (we're all chained to the rhythm)
The song "Chained to the Rhythm" by Katy Perry speaks about the daily routine and the mundane life most people have been living. It is a commentary on how people are living in their own bubble, either consciously or subconsciously, with their "rose-colored glasses on." People are so comfortable with their lifestyle that they cannot see the troubles and the reality of the world around them. The lyrics suggest that society is stuck in patterns and expectations that are not truly liberating. The song argues that people need to break free of the bubble that they are living in and become more aware of the world's problems.
The song speaks about how society is so accustomed to being restricted and controlled that it becomes a habit to live life within the boundaries set by others. The lyrics metaphorically refer to how people are "chained" to the rhythm of their lives, dancing to the beat of society's predictable patterns. This can lead to a sense of complacency, which ultimately perpetuates the societal issues that people face. The song also points out that although people may think that they are free, they are still restricted by societal expectations.
Overall, the song's message is to encourage people to break out of the chains that bind them to the rhythm of their lives and to start looking around at the issues that need to be addressed. However, the song never suggests that this is easy.
Line by Line Meaning
Are we crazy?
Are we insane to live our lives engulfed in a superficial world?
Livin' our lives through a lens
We are living under the lens of societal norms and expectations.
Trapped in our white picket fence
We are limited by our own misconceptions of a perfect life.
Like ornaments
We are staying stagnant as decorations in a comfortable yet unfulfilling environment.
So comfortable, we're livin' in a bubble, bubble
We're too content with our current situation that we have become blind to the reality around us.
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble
Our sense of comfort has left us oblivious to the issues facing our world.
Aren't you lonely
Are you not feeling alone in your idealized world?
Up there in utopia
In your perfect world that you strive to create.
Where nothing will ever be enough?
Despite the perfect surroundings, there is always a sense of uneasiness.
Happily numb
Feeling satisfied yet indifferent to the troubles lurking underneath the surface.
Ah-ha, so good
Reacting to entertainment that distracts us from reality, through a happy persona.
Your rose-colored glasses on
Viewing the world with a naive optimism, distorted from reality, you got blinded with your contentment.
And party on (woo)
To continue to distract and entertain ourselves to live in ignorance and an unfulfilling life.
Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Escaping from reality, again and again, losing touch while getting closer to the deception, that we are free.
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
The illusion that everything is right when in reality it is all fitting the wrong pieces together.
Stumblin' around like a wasted zombie
Navigating blindly and without purpose, in a cycle that doesn't change for the better, frosted by the illusion of freedom.
Yeah, we think we're free (ah-ha)
Still assumes to be free, entangled by self-created conditions of comfort.
Drink, this one's on me
Distracting with alcohol to forget the issues and convince ourselves that everything is okay
We're all chained to the rhythm
We are blindly following the systemic patterns and expectations of our created environment.
Are we tone deaf?
Are we not listening to our heart and soul to address the larger issues around us?
Keep sweepin' it under the mat
Ignoring the neglected issues, we are sweeping it under the rug.
Thought we could do better than that
Assuming we can live in a way that doesn't cause problems, we have let ourselves down by continuing this detrimental cycle.
I hope we can
I am optimistic that we can change our ways and make a better world for ourselves.
Ayy, up in your high place, liars
Addressing those in power, manipulating the truth to maintain stability.
Time is tickin' for the empire
The leaders who ignore what's happening , the clock is running out on their satisfaction.
The truth they feed is feeble
The lies that they propagate don't stand when the truth comes out.
As so many times before
It has happened before, and will happen again in history.
The greed over the people
The people suffering as a result of the powerful looking out for their own interests.
They stumblin' and fumblin' and we're about to riot
The people frustrated with this neglect and chaos caused by people in power and are on the verge of violence.
They woke up, they woke up the lions (woah)
What they initially thought would be an easy fix, they awakened the people, and it will not be simple.
It goes on, and on, and on
The cycle continues, repeating the same mistakes again and again.
Turn it up, it goes on and on and on and on
The more we ignore the problem, the more it escalates, and it will not stop on its own.
'Cause we're all chained to the rhythm
As a society, we are bound by the patterns and expectations that we have created for ourselves, and must break free to make real change.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sia Furler, Max Martin, Katy Perry, Ali Payami, Skip Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Hoosje11
0:02 The theme park is called Oblivia, meaning we're oblivious to what's going on in the world
0:22 people continuously making selfies: referring to today's social media obsession
0:29 the cotton candy are shaped like atomic bomb clouds
0:37 American dream enablers wearing space masks. They very much resemble the World Nobles from One Piece; a privileged rank in humanity that cannot bear to breathe the same air as normal humans so they wear this uniforms. They would always keep a gun with them in case anyone lesser would question or fight them, then they would kill them instantly
1:05 The "Great American Dream Drop", the ride with the houses falling symbolizing the housing crisis with people getting evicted because they can't make their mortgage payments
1:20 more reference to social media obsession
1:30 the sign indicates the year ''1984'', could very much be a reference to ''1984'' by George Orwell, a book about a dystopian society
1:35 the man next to Katy gets more validation, despite doing the exact same thing as her
1:48 an attraction named ''No Place Like Home'' throws people over a white picket fence, obviously referring to Trump's immigration policies. The woman who gets thrown over the fence looks like she's wearing some type of headscarf, so that might be a reference to the Muslim ban
1:50 "BOMBS AWAY" when Katy sings "thought we could do better than that"
2:00 people in line for a wheel. The white man 2:05 continues to run successfully without running out, but the black man (2:35) and Asian woman (2:38) fall down on their way
2:23 oil/water crisis
2:45 the people around Katy watch a big event and continue to be in a trance-like state, unable to notice what is happening around them. Katy however (3:02) realizes that something is wrong. Could be a reference to the election.
The 3D glasses could also, however, be about the media controlling people/references how people watch cable news passively without really taking in what's going on in the world
@divyatejaswinivengada6368
0:22 people continuously making selfies: referring to today's social media obsession
0:29 the cotton candy are shaped like atomic bomb clouds
0:40 the rose is barbed wire
00:53 men and woman couples, Lgtbi are not incluided
1:20 more reference to social media obsession
1:30 the sign indicates the year ''1984'', could very much be a reference to ''1984'' by George Orwell, a book about a dystopian society
1:35 the man next to Katy gets more validation, despite doing the exact same thing as her
1:48 an attraction named ''No Place Like Home'' throws people over a fence, obviously referring to Trump's immigration policies
1:50 "BOMBS AWAY" when Katy sings "thought we could do better than that"
2:00 people in line for a wheel. The white man 2:05 continues to run successfully without running out, but the black man (2:35) and Asian woman (2:38) fall down on their way
2:23 oil/water crisis
2:45 the people around Katy watch a big event and continue to be in a trance-like state, unable to notice what is happening around them. Katy however (3:02) realizes that something is wrong. Could be a reference to the election.
And about the video of the hamster shows us the monotony that drives our society, which we must wake up.
The hands are the state that handles and imposes, the hamster is us, we just keep there letting ourselves rule without doing anything. WE HAVE TO WAKE UP RIGHT NOW. In some way the name of the video should be "Chained to the system"
@Hoosje11
0:02 The theme park is called Oblivia, meaning we're oblivious to what's going on in the world
0:22 people continuously making selfies: referring to today's social media obsession
0:29 the cotton candy are shaped like atomic bomb clouds
0:37 American dream enablers wearing space masks. They very much resemble the World Nobles from One Piece; a privileged rank in humanity that cannot bear to breathe the same air as normal humans so they wear this uniforms. They would always keep a gun with them in case anyone lesser would question or fight them, then they would kill them instantly
1:05 The "Great American Dream Drop", the ride with the houses falling symbolizing the housing crisis with people getting evicted because they can't make their mortgage payments
1:20 more reference to social media obsession
1:30 the sign indicates the year ''1984'', could very much be a reference to ''1984'' by George Orwell, a book about a dystopian society
1:35 the man next to Katy gets more validation, despite doing the exact same thing as her
1:48 an attraction named ''No Place Like Home'' throws people over a white picket fence, obviously referring to Trump's immigration policies. The woman who gets thrown over the fence looks like she's wearing some type of headscarf, so that might be a reference to the Muslim ban
1:50 "BOMBS AWAY" when Katy sings "thought we could do better than that"
2:00 people in line for a wheel. The white man 2:05 continues to run successfully without running out, but the black man (2:35) and Asian woman (2:38) fall down on their way
2:23 oil/water crisis
2:45 the people around Katy watch a big event and continue to be in a trance-like state, unable to notice what is happening around them. Katy however (3:02) realizes that something is wrong. Could be a reference to the election.
The 3D glasses could also, however, be about the media controlling people/references how people watch cable news passively without really taking in what's going on in the world
@albertoaguilar9390
Kesha Nation thanks for all the details you noticed, I'm sure a lot of people didn't because "so comfortable living in a bubble' we cannot see the trouble"
@bubulushka
i feel 1984 is a reference to the novel 1984 by george orwell about government surveillance. the government surveils us through our phnes.
@atzurich
Kesha Nation Thanks! This helped me a lot!
@TintedViolets
Sofia Kelly agreed.
@kennedyjohnson3868
very observant!
@VanVero
This is the scariest song I've ever heard, it gives me goosebumps and make me uneasy. So good yet so scary - the meaning behind this catchy rhythm.
@nicholasbert4475
the way it's sounds so upbeat and catchy but the meaning is somehow haunting. she was woke
@jack.jay.
to the RIOT! 2024 ;) $
@ConsultColin-fv6rc
It's actually a very well done song yeah