"New Kicks" was described by the band's publicist as "a dance anthem made u… Read Full Bio ↴"New Kicks" was described by the band's publicist as "a dance anthem made up of samples of anti-war speeches by Susan Sarandon, Al Sharpton, and others, punctuated by a 'Peace Up, War Down!' chant". The song has drawn similarities to their song "Dyke March 2001" from Feminist Sweepstakes due to its sampled chant approach. The songs' chants were recorded at the 15 February anti-war protests in Manhattan by JD Samson. It was released as the album's first single by the label ahead of the 2004 Republican National Convention, something the band was not expecting to happen. The song's music video featured the band wearing "Stop Bush Now!" outfits, which despite being warned against by Universal as being too partisan, they wore anyway.

New Kicks
Le Tigre Lyrics

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Peace Now! (x4) We are gathered here, we come from so many different places, from different identities, different cultures, different backrounds, different religions, and yet we can gather under the god of - Peace Now! (x2) We say no to war, peace up, war down. (x2) We made it, we're here, we're here right now and we're not leaving. We had more reports that more and more people are just taking on-ramps onto the bridge, and they're just taking it over, it's, it's just, i mean, i just, ahhh. This is what democracy looks like, this is what democracy sounds like (x2) Reports from protests in Aman Jordan, and Amsterdam, Berut Lebanon, Nili East-Timor, Florence Italy, London, Milano Italy, Paris France. In dozens of cities, in Spain, reports in Athens Georgia, and Austin Texas, Waxford Virginia, Charleston South Carolina, Colorado Springs, and Defiance Ohio, Denver Colorado as well as Durango, Geneva New York, and Houston Texas, Hyannis Massachusetts, in Hawaii as well, Lorence Kansas, Los Angeles California, and I am only naming a few. Peace Now! (x2) And as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it. It isn't enough to believe in it, one must work at it. And we here today are working at it." No blood for oil. We will not be silent. No blood for oil. We will not go to war for a selected President who wasn't even elected. We must stand unbroken, unvowed, and unattained. We need health care, we need education, we need FREEDOM IN THIS NATION (x4) Thousands of people have taken over 3rd Avenue and are marching north. The crowd stretches at least 15 blocks from 44th Street to 59th Street. The police have just simply given up. This is what democracy looks like, this is what democracy sounds like (x2) Peace Now! (x2) We will not sell-out, we will not back down, we will not compromise, we will go forward until peace is on the World agenda. We say no to war, NO WAR! (x3) -

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Le Tigre's song "New Kicks" convey a message of unity and activism. The song starts with the chant of "Peace Now", which sets the tone for rest of the lyrics. The songstress talks about people from various backgrounds coming together to stand up against war and violence. She mentions how people are taking over bridges, marching on the streets, and making their voices heard. The song is a call to action, urging listeners to believe in peace and work towards it.

The lyrics also criticize the government's decision to go to war for oil, and highlight the need for education and healthcare in the country. The reference to Eleanor Roosevelt's quote emphasizes the importance of believing in peace and working towards it, as peace cannot be achieved by simply talking about it. The song ends with a resounding "No War" chant, reiterating the message of non-violence and unity.

Line by Line Meaning

Peace Now! (x4)
Acknowledging the gathering of diverse people for a common cause of peace

We are gathered here, we come from so many different places, from different identities, different cultures, different backrounds, different religions, and yet we can gather under the god of - Peace Now! (x2)
Highlighting the diversity of the people gathered for peace despite different backgrounds

We say no to war, peace up, war down. (x2)
Advocating for peace and denouncing war

We made it, we're here, we're here right now and we're not leaving. We had more reports that more and more people are just taking on-ramps onto the bridge, and they're just taking it over, it's, it's just, i mean, i just, ahhh.
Celebrating the success of the peaceful protest and the growing number of people joining the cause

This is what democracy looks like, this is what democracy sounds like (x2)
Emphasizing the democratic nature of the peaceful protest

Reports from protests in Aman Jordan, and Amsterdam, Berut Lebanon, Nili East-Timor, Florence Italy, London, Milano Italy, Paris France. In dozens of cities, in Spain, reports in Athens Georgia, and Austin Texas, Waxford Virginia, Charleston South Carolina, Colorado Springs, and Defiance Ohio, Denver Colorado as well as Durango, Geneva New York, and Houston Texas, Hyannis Massachusetts, in Hawaii as well, Lorence Kansas, Los Angeles California, and I am only naming a few.
Listing various locations where peaceful protests for peace are taking place globally

And as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it. It isn't enough to believe in it, one must work at it. And we here today are working at it."
Quoting Eleanor Roosevelt to reinforce the importance of belief and action for peace

No blood for oil. We will not be silent. No blood for oil. We will not go to war for a selected President who wasn't even elected.
Denouncing war and the notion of going to war for selfish reasons like oil

We must stand unbroken, unvowed, and unattained. We need health care, we need education, we need FREEDOM IN THIS NATION (x4)
Advocating for standing together for peace, and calling for fundamental rights like healthcare, education, and freedom

Thousands of people have taken over 3rd Avenue and are marching north. The crowd stretches at least 15 blocks from 44th Street to 59th Street. The police have just simply given up. This is what democracy looks like, this is what democracy sounds like (x2)
Describing the massive, peaceful gathering of people and the impact of the peaceful protest on the authorities

We will not sell-out, we will not back down, we will not compromise, we will go forward until peace is on the World agenda.
Reinforcing the determination to fight for peace without any compromise

We say no to war, NO WAR! (x3)
Denouncing war and calling for peace

Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JOCELYN SAMSON, JOHANNA FATEMAN, KATHLEEN M HANNA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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