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.
The American Ruse
MC5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when you try to be free they never let ya
They said "it's easy , nothing to it"
And now the army's out to get ya
Sixty nine America in terminal stasis
The air's so thick it's like drowning in molasses
I'm sick and tired of paying these dues
And I'm finally getting hip to the American ruse
I learned to say the pledge of allegiance
Before they beat me bloody down at the station
They haven't got a word out of me since
I got a billion years probation
Sixty nine America in terminal stasis
The air's so thick it's like drowning in molasses
I'm sick and tired of paying these dues
And I'm sick to my guts of the American ruse
Phony stars, oh no! crummy cars, oh no!
Cheap guitars, oh no! Joe's primitive bar... nah!
Rock'em back, Sonic !
The way they pull you over it's suspicious
Yeah, for something that just ain't your fault
If you complain they're gonna get vicious
Kick in the teeth and charge you with assault
Yeah, but I can see the chickens coming home to roost
Young people everywhere are gonna cook their goose
Lots of kids are working to get rid of these blues
Cause everybody's sick of the American ruse
Well well well , take a look around !
Well well well , take a look around !
Well well well , take a look around !
Well well well , take a look around !
Well well well , take a look around !
MC5's song "American Ruse" portrays the disillusionment and anger towards the American government and society during the 1960s. The opening lines depict how the education system sells the idea of freedom, but in reality, the government does not let individuals exercise their freedom. The government and army are shown as oppressive and restricting, and the society is stuck in a state of decay, depicted as 'terminal stasis' and 'drowning in molasses.' The singer is frustrated with having to pay dues to such a system and realizes the American ruse peddled by the government.
The second verse describes the singer's own experience of being beaten and detained for fighting against the system. Even though the singer has not given in to being a part of the system, they are still under probation for an extended time, highlighting the oppressive nature of the government. The chorus connects with the growing sentiment of young people who are working to rid themselves of the 'blues' brought about by the system's oppression. The song highlights the pointlessness of government propaganda, represented by the 'phony stars,' 'crummy cars,' and 'cheap guitars.' In the last lines, the singer calls for a call to action where one should take a look around and realize the need to change the system.
Line by Line Meaning
They told you in school about freedom
They taught you in school that you are free, but in reality, they do not let you exercise your freedom.
But when you try to be free they never let ya
Whenever you attempt to utilize your freedom, somebody tries to stop you from achieving it.
They said 'it's easy , nothing to it'
They convinced you that freedom is straightforward and simple to obtain.
And now the army's out to get ya
The military is trying to target and harm you.
Sixty nine America in terminal stasis
The United States is stuck in a state of constant inactivity since 1969.
The air's so thick it's like drowning in molasses
The atmosphere is oppressive, which makes it difficult to breathe or think clearly.
I'm sick and tired of paying these dues
I am exhausted and frustrated from my efforts, which have not produced any desired results.
And I'm finally getting hip to the American ruse
I am starting to realize that America is not straightforward, and I need to think more deeply about my approach to being successful there.
I learned to say the pledge of allegiance
I was taught to recite a statement of loyalty to the United States of America.
Before they beat me bloody down at the station
Before they mercilessly hit me until I bled when they arrested me.
They haven't got a word out of me since
I have refused to speak or cooperate with them ever since.
I got a billion years probation
My probation period is so long that it seems like an infinite amount of time.
Phony stars, oh no! crummy cars, oh no! Cheap guitars, oh no! Joe's primitive bar... nah!
The stars are fake, and cheap things like cars and guitars are subpar in America. But Joe's simple bar is a redeeming quality.
Rock'em back, Sonic !
Let's rock and roll, Sonic!
The way they pull you over it's suspicious
Their reasons for stopping you while driving seem questionable.
Yeah, for something that just ain't your fault
They blame you for something that you did not cause.
If you complain they're gonna get vicious
If you voice your concerns or objections, they will become aggressive or answer with violence.
Kick in the teeth and charge you with assault
They will physically harm you and then blame you for assaulting them.
Yeah, but I can see the chickens coming home to roost
I can anticipate the negative consequences of their actions coming back to haunt them.
Young people everywhere are gonna cook their goose
The younger generation will eventually overtake and defeat the older generation.
Lots of kids are working to get rid of these blues
Many young people are endeavoring to eliminate these societal problems that cause sadness or disappointment.
Cause everybody's sick of the American ruse
Everybody is sick and tired of being misled by the lies that are the American way.
Well well well , take a look around !
Hey, look around and see what's happening in the world!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DENNIS THOMPSON, DENNIS A. TOMICH, FRED SMITH, FREDERICK D. SMITH, MICHAEL DAVID, MICHAEL DAVIS, ROBERT W. DERMINER, WAYNE KRAMER
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.