MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone magazine and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a reputation for energetic and polemical live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams. Their initial run was short-lived, though. In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the band came to an end. Often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of that era, their three albums are regarded by many as classics.
Tyner died of a heart attack in late 1991 at the age of 46. Smith also died of a heart attack, in 1994 at the age of 45. The remaining three members of the band reformed in 2003 with The Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba as its new vocalist, and this reformed line-up occasionally performed live over the next nine years until Davis died of liver failure in February 2012 at the age of 68.
In 2022, Kramer announced that a tour would take place that spring, and that a new MC5 studio album with producer Bob Ezrin would also be released later that year with original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson playing on two tracks. In 2023, Kramer announced that the album would be released in the spring of 2024. Kramer died in February 2024, leaving Thompson as the only surviving original member of the band.
Over And Over
MC5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Bout how we need a revolution, over and over
I was talking 'bout ecology, over and over
'Bout how we'll be saved by technology, over and over
While the cat next door spends all his time
Trying to think up new antisocial crimes
I said no, I said hang on a minute now
I said no, no, no
People talking revolution, over and over
About a mass execution, over and over
Well I was working in a factory, over and over
Just trying to make it satisfactory, over and over
But all these inclinations toward manic frustration
I want my vaccination against castration
Vietnam, what a sexy war
Uncle Sam's a pimp, wants us to be whores,
I said no, I said I can't take much more of this
You better let me outta here
I said no, no, no
Oh you see I need a release for my frustration
Oh don't you see I can't hold my aggravation
Oh...no, no, no, no
I see people dyin', over and over
Why don't I sit around crying, over and over
I see people taking, over and over
Why don't I sit around waiting, over and over
The cop on the street wants us down on our knees
The president says we've got to have peace
The other cat says we need our liberation
The hippies telling us we're in the love generation
I said whoa, I said hang on a minute now
This can't go on much longer
I said whoa, whoa, whoa
Over and over, over and over
Over and over, over and over
MC5's song "Over and Over" is a political commentary on the state of the world in the late 1960s. It begins by addressing the endless discussions of solutions to problems that seemed to have no end in sight. The singer of the song is frustrated with the focus on revolution and technology, rather than the ecological issues that need to be addressed. Meanwhile, the people in his community are spending their time thinking up new antisocial crimes, indicating a sense of hopelessness and apathy.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses his frustration with the Vietnam War and the United States government's role in it. He accuses Uncle Sam of being a pimp who wants to turn Americans into whores. He also criticizes the police for their aggressive behavior and the president for calling for peace while continuing to engage in violent conflicts.
At the end of the song, the singer acknowledges that there are real problems that need to be addressed, such as people dying and inequality. However, he also recognizes the need for action rather than simply sitting around waiting for solutions to come. He concludes with the repetition of the phrase "over and over," highlighting the cyclical nature of the issues he is addressing.
Overall, "Over and Over" is a powerful critique of American society in the late 1960s. It highlights the frustrations of those who were trying to create change in a world that seemed to resist it at every turn. The song's themes of ecological and social justice, anti-war sentiment, and a call for action are still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
People talkin 'bout solutions, over and over
People keep discussing solutions again and again.
'Bout how we need a revolution, over and over
People keep talking again and again about the need for a revolution.
I was talking 'bout ecology, over and over
I kept talking about ecology repeatedly.
'Bout how we'll be saved by technology, over and over
I kept talking repeatedly about how technology can save us.
While the cat next door spends all his time
Trying to think up new antisocial crimes
While my neighbor keeps coming up with new ways to be antisocial.
I said no, I said hang on a minute now
I protested and asked everyone to pause for a moment.
I set let me outta here
I expressed a desire to leave the current situation.
People talking revolution, over and over
People keep talking repeatedly about a revolution.
About a mass execution, over and over
People talk about the idea of a mass execution many times.
Well I was working in a factory, over and over
I kept working at the factory repeatedly.
Just trying to make it satisfactory, over and over
I kept trying to make things satisfactory at work again and again.
But all these inclinations toward manic frustration
I felt inclined towards manic frustration.
I want my vaccination against castration
I want to be protected against the fear of losing my power or freedom.
Vietnam, what a sexy war
Uncle Sam's a pimp, wants us to be whores,
I express dissatisfaction with the Vietnam war, and feel that America (Uncle Sam) is treating its citizens like prostitutes.
I said no, I said I can't take much more of this
I protested and said that I couldn't take the current situation anymore.
You better let me outta here
I demanded to be let out of the current situation.
Oh you see I need a release for my frustration
I express a need to release my frustration.
Oh don't you see I can't hold my aggravation
I express that I cannot contain my feelings of aggravation.
I see people dyin', over and over
I keep seeing people die again and again.
Why don't I sit around crying, over and over
I wonder why I don't just sit and cry repeatedly about the state of the world.
I see people taking, over and over
I keep seeing people taking things again and again.
Why don't I sit around waiting, over and over
I wonder why I don't just sit and wait repeatedly for things to get better.
The cop on the street wants us down on our knees
I feel that the police want to keep us down and submissive.
The president says we've got to have peace
I reference the president's desire for peace.
The other cat says we need our liberation
I reference someone else's assertion that we need to be liberated.
The hippies telling us we're in the love generation
I reference the hippies' belief that we are in a generation of love.
I said whoa, I said hang on a minute now
I protest and ask everyone to pause for a second time.
This can't go on much longer
I express that this current situation cannot continue indefinitely.
Over and over, over and over
I repeat the sentiment that things are happening again and again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANIKA ROSE MOA, BOH SAPHIRE K RUNGA, HOLLIE JO-ANNA SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Hurley
on The Pledge Song
Found this outfit called "Sonic Hits" for free streaming.
Pretty impressed with the depth of their catalog and none of those serenity busting ads.