Get What You Give
New Radicals Lyrics


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One, two
One, two, three, ow

Wake up, kids
We got the dreamers disease
Age fourteen, they got you down on your knees
So polite, we're busy still saying please
Frienemies, who when you're down ain't your friend
Every night we smash a Mercedes-Benz
First we run, and then we laugh 'til we cry

But when the night is falling
You cannot find the light (light)
You feel your dreams are dying
Hold tight

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

I'm comin' home, baby
You're tops
Give it to me now

4 AM, we ran a miracle mile
We're flat broke
But hey, we do it in style
The bad rich
God's flying in for your trial

But when the night is falling
You cannot find a friend (friend)
You feel your tree is breaking
Just bend

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

This whole damn world could fall apart
You'll be okay, follow your heart
You're in harm's way, I'm right behind
Now say you're mine

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

Don't let go
I feel the music in you
Don't let go
Fly high, high

What's real can't die
You only get what you give
You're gonna get what you give
Don't give up
Just don't be afraid to leave

Health insurance, rip off lying
FDA, big bankers buying
Fake computer crashes dining
Cloning while they're multiplying
Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson
Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson
You're all fakes
Run to your mansions
Come around, we'll kick your asses

Don't let go
One dance left
Don't give up




Can't forget
Don't let go

Overall Meaning

As an insightful lyrics interpreter, the song "You Get What You Give" by New Radicals speaks about the struggles and challenges that come with growing up in a world that does not always support individuality and creativity. The opening lines "Wake up kids, we got the dreamer's disease, age 14, we got you down on your knees" portray the notion that society often tries to shape individuals into conforming to existing rules and expectations. The line "every night we smash a Mercedes-Benz" is not meant to be taken literally, but metaphorically represents society's attempts to destroy and suppress individuality. However, the song's chorus is a message of hope that encourages the listener to hold on tight to what they love and keep fighting for their dreams.


Additionally, the song highlights various issues that plague the world, such as health insurance, corporate greed, and fake computer crashes. The line "fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson, Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson" refers to the media's obsession with trivial things, while ignoring the more significant issues facing society.


Overall, "You Get What You Give" is a song that encourages the listener to keep pushing through the struggles while also highlighting the issues that society faces.


Line by Line Meaning

Wake up, kids
It's time to wake up and see the world for what it really is.


We got the dreamers disease
We have a desire to do something great with our lives.


Age fourteen, they got you down on your knees
At such a young age, people are expected to behave in a certain way and are often oppressed.


So polite, we're busy still saying please
We are respectful, but we are still fighting for change.


Frienemies, who when you're down ain't your friend
Some people are only our friends when we're doing well; they aren't there for us when we need them.


Every night we smash a Mercedes-Benz
We're rebelling against the wealthy by causing chaos in their world.


First we run, and then we laugh 'til we cry
We're running from something, but we can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.


But when the night is falling
When things seem hopeless.


You cannot find the light (light)
You can't seem to find a way out of your troubles.


You feel your dreams are dying
You feel hopeless and discouraged about your future.


Hold tight
Hang in there.


You've got the music in you
You have the strength and talent to get through this.


Don't let go
Don't give up.


One dance left
You only have one shot at this.


This world is gonna pull through
Things will get better eventually.


You've got a reason to live
You have a purpose and a future.


Can't forget
Remember this, it's important.


We only get what we give
We get what we deserve based on our efforts and actions.


4 AM, we ran a miracle mile
We were determined and worked hard, even during the early hours of the morning.


We're flat broke
We don't have much money and are struggling financially.


But hey, we do it in style
We don't let our financial struggles hold us back; we still make the most of it.


The bad rich
The wealthy who don't care about others and only think of themselves.


God's flying in for your trial
The idea of divine judgement for one's actions and choices.


You cannot find a friend (friend)
You feel lonely and isolated in your struggles.


You feel your tree is breaking
You feel like your support system is failing you.


Just bend
Stay strong and resilient.


This whole damn world could fall apart
The world is far from perfect and could crumble at any moment.


You'll be okay, follow your heart
Trust your inner voice and intuition to guide you through tough times.


You're in harm's way, I'm right behind
I'll always have your back, even in dangerous situations.


Now say you're mine
Let me be there for you and support you through anything.


I feel the music in you
I can sense your inner strength and resilience.


Fly high, high
Reach for the stars and don't hold back.


What's real can't die
Authenticity and truth will always prevail.


Health insurance, rip off lying
The healthcare system is corrupt and full of deception.


FDA, big bankers buying
Even powerful organizations like the FDA can be bought off by wealthy individuals and corporations.


Fake computer crashes dining
People are more concerned with superficial things than important issues like social and economic justice.


Cloning while they're multiplying
Society is focused on advancing technology and science, but sometimes at the cost of morality and ethics.


Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson
Celebrity culture and superficiality are prioritized over more pressing issues.


Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson
People who are culturally subversive or controversial are celebrated rather than condemned.


You're all fakes
Most people are inauthentic and lack genuine empathy or concern for others.


Run to your mansions
The wealthy and powerful are fearful and run to their gated communities when things get tough.


Come around, we'll kick your asses
We're not afraid to challenge and take down corrupt or inauthentic individuals or systems.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Gregg Alexander, Rick Nowels

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@JohmathanBSwift

I feel the music in you
It's encouraging, supportive.
It reaches out and puts a friendly
hand on your shoulder to comfort.

Have you ever been to a bus station,
park,coffee shop, where ever, and saw
someone whose shoulders are slightly
slumped and looking out a lonely window.
Then there's all the people who walk
right past that person. They might even
rudely bump into them.

Well this song is for those people.
It pushes back and protects.
It believes for you, when you can't

Your in harms way
I'm right behind

There's solace in sound



@dawnfire82

​@@DomPeriod I remember sitting around a fire with my friends in late 2000 or early 2001, drinking and hanging out. We were all 17, 18, 19 years old. I looked around and said, "You know, we have all these problems with money and jobs and grades and relationship drama and the rest. But one day, we're going to look back on this as the good old days and wish we could go back."

They mostly just laughed, because our problems were oh so serious. But I was right. The years since have just gotten worse and worse. American society is sick. Poisoned, really, since it was deliberate. And, once my generation dies, no one will remember what it used to be like. The optimism and good feeling. The laughter and jokes and humorous takes that no one is 'allowed' to have anymore, because of woke Twitter lynch mobs and crybullies who want your life destroyed if you make them feel bad. Going more than two years without another ginned up batch of race riots, coincidentally always in the summer before elections. God, can you remember back before everyone was fat and diabetic?!

I loved my country, and I enlisted in the Army to protect her after 9/11. I felt compelled.

But now? I can't imagine feeling that way anymore. Everything is polluted with lies and hatred and insanity. Many openly wished us to die because they were mad about politics. Remember 'we'll support the troops when they frag their officers?' I do. I was one of those troops.

It's sad. But when I hear this old, good music, I can feel like I did before it all went wrong. I can forget that there was just a Congressional hearing about whether 12 year olds should be able to cut out their genitalia and pretend to be the opposite sex, or if they should be made to wait until they're the ripe and mature age of 16.

I can forget how much I've come to hate this culture. Though it does make me feel sorry for today's kids, who have known nothing else and think this shit is normal.



All comments from YouTube:

@WorldsFairNYC

This was filmed at the Staten Island Mall. My friend Kenny is the guy at the beginning with the blue hat and eyebrow rings. I was delivering Snapple there the day this was being filmed. So many memories. Some things are still identical but the food court is completely relocated and now there’s stores in its place. That Cheesesteak place still exists in an updated form at the new food court. Sorry just wanted to drop some fun facts, all love ❤️

@lyndagies9774

My question is-- the kids sneering at the older adults---how old are they now and what are they doing? I'm so curious. PS--That's cool that you were there during the filming!

@axisofpeter

I've actually been there. Go figure. I stop to visit in-laws once a year while traveling north--and I've been there a grand total of once. Hmmm...will be up there again this summer. I may just have to visit the mall.

@kaybee1025

@@lyndagies9774 😂👍

@carolejohnson791

You made me smile🙃

@hmartz

wow awesome memories

567 More Replies...

@bristoc

This is so 1999.
This is extreamly 1999.
This is the most 1999 thing of all things.
I'm gonna cry.

@sandromauro3083

Man, I love this MASTERPIECE!!! This song saved my life. 🎧😍

@riccardomorgagni5181

Yeah, and this was my childhood as a '99 born.

@jorgeandrescoppiano.5715

HAHA what a time...the 90's...we sure had a privilege to live it bro

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