The song "Please" featured on 2005's EA Title Burnout 3: Takedown, and was an instant success. The band have since gained a lot of popularity, and have started to make waves in the music world.
Lead Not Follow
Maxeen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swim upstream
Against the flow we go
like salmon swim
To mountain tops
It's the only thing we know
And big city streets
Along in you grows
we drag the brush
As time goes on
Winding trails of blue
for those to see
The paths we took
To make a dream come true
neon lights
And these city streets
Your presence overdue
we lead not follow
And that's hard to do
When no one follows you
with nothing new
We will pretend
Invent our world again
the neon lights
How they shined for you
They'll shine for others too
we lead not follow
And the aim was true
And so they followed you
they followed you
The song "Lead Not Follow" by Maxeen is a powerful story of two individuals who march to the beat of their own drum. The opening lyrics, "You and me, Swim upstream, Against the flow we go," set the tone for the theme of nonconformity that runs deep in the song. The two protagonists are like salmon swimming upstream, against the tide, and to the top of the mountain. They know that this is the only way they can make their dreams come true. They are not afraid of the challenges and struggles that some may associate with a different way of life than the social norm.
Despite the neon lights and big city streets, the two are determined to make it on their own terms. They are aware that they will have to make sacrifices, and "drag the brush as time goes on, Winding trails of blue," but they willingly take up the challenge. They do not want to follow the path that has been laid out for them, but rather blaze their own trail. They hope that others will see and follow the paths they took, and make their own dreams come true.
The chorus of the song is a call to non-conformism; "we lead not follow, and that's hard to do when no one follows you". This is a powerful statement that captures the essence of the song. It is not easy to lead, but the two individuals are willing to make the effort. They hope that by being themselves and pursuing their dreams, they will inspire others to do the same. The song is a celebration of individuality and the belief in the power of self.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me
The singer and someone else are being referred to
Swim upstream
The pair's actions are against the norm
Against the flow we go
They continue to challenge convention
like salmon swim
Their actions mirror that of salmon's ability to swim upstream
To mountain tops
Like salmon's journey to the top of the mountain
It's the only thing we know
Their journey to go against the norm is their only truth
neon lights
City life and its artificial atmosphere is referenced here
And big city streets
The setting of the song is a big city
Along in you grows
The artificial city life becomes more influential as time goes on
we drag the brush
Metaphor for creating your own path
As time goes on
Continuity of the escalating influence of city life on the individual
Winding trails of blue
Path they take may have some obstacles but it brings peace of mind
for those to see
Their journey is so that others can witness it and learn from it
The paths we took
The journey was not a smooth one but helped them to understand themselves
To make a dream come true
Something they have been striving for that was a long time coming
Your presence overdue
The presence of the person who is being referred to was long-awaited
we lead not follow
Their actions are not out of a desire of being followed but out of individuality
And that's hard to do
Being independent and individualistic is difficult
When no one follows you
Their behavior, though difficult, is not influenced by others
with nothing new
Their journey is not just ordinary repetition but something new and unpredictable each time
We will pretend
They will imitate or create something to reflect their desires
Invent our world again
Creating a unique world and a new beginning
How they shined for you
Existing artificial environment which shines/decorates their surroundings
They'll shine for others too
Others will also adore and accept their environment and aura
we lead not follow
Resisting conformity even if it may be uncomfortable
And the aim was true
Their behavior is not out of impulse or trend, it's a deliberate action
And so they followed you
The influence they have inspires others to follow them
they followed you
The song concludes with the realization that their actions have influenced others
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Todd Marshall
Amazing song, I especially love the dreamy ending starting at 3:11