The band is best known for their debut single, titled "You Get What You Give", which became a top 5 hit in the United Kingdom and has garnered major U.S. airplay for years. The song's celebrity-dissing lyrics at its end provided a minor a spectacle, with Alexander saying that the media misunderstood the meaning. Despite the song's radical messages, anti-materialistic as well as pro-youth, it's ironically been used in many films and even a famous advertising spot.
Tired of touring and promotional interviews, with the group becoming more and more commercialized, Alexander disbanded the group in mid 1999 before the release of their second single, titled "Someday We'll Know". He has successfully focus on writing and producing songs for other artists, winning a Grammy award for his talents. Consequently, the stunning "Someday We'll Know" received little attention in most countries. The band is widely considered a "one-hit-wonder".
Maybe You
New Radicals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe you've been brainwashed too
Many will tell you otherwise
I bet you trust your bank
Just wait until it tanks
Your parents had it planned
We're almost just like them?
Fun Racist professional sports
Multinational owned evening news
If we believe we're fools
You watch 4.5 hours of TV a day
And we should listen to what you have to say?
Opinions on life and the world
You eat at the Hard Rock abroad and you disrespect your girl
Sexism so ingrained
That women get the blame
Is it smug middle class satisfaction you peddle?
Better hope your car don't breakdown in the ghetto
Rich companies lobby best
Use their products, prepare to lose a breast
Why your sick mother's health insurance got
"Accidentally" canceled is no mystery
Somebody's paying the government a lot
To have access to everybody's medical history
Greedy banks bought all the farms
Chemical food, aren't our lives charmed
Teenagers baited, their money spent
With credit cards at twenty percent
Too broke to worry about the loan
Their funkin turning off your phone
And politics, a fuckin' joke
Right and left, they're both a hoax
Just hope the "international" markets don't crash
Rock 'n' Roll! Some truth? Alas!
Careerist cowards sucking ass
Is real investigative reporting dead?
Of course, but keep watching your CNN
The glitz, the glamor, all jokes aside
If a sponsor pays enough,
They'd turn a blind eye on 3rd world genocide
"Bro, don't get heavy, the bills are paid!"
Twice a week (missionary style) we all get laid
Middle management goes first, your out on your ass
Most ignorance is bred at home
Good Christian families? Then why condone
Petty hatred of anything different or new
The fat girl hung herself in June
No love at home, they thought she was strong
Her classmates made her up her own song
"Piggy Peggy ate everyone's pie"
The kids moved on, one teacher cried
The kids switched targets the week after she died
Well? human nature won't change much
Unless we make a shameful bunch
Of those we see so glaringly
Who show hate, ignorance and hypocrisy
Don't be a coward, make a stand!
Get in their face, act like a ham
Let people know it's not PC
To be greedy and judgmental under the guise of religion and democracy
Get loud and stand up every time
If you even give a fuck about mankind
'cause if human nature don't evolve soon
Don't kid yourself, you're fucking doomed
Don't run away from change and growth
Let's start right now, "I take the oath!"
But first accept one simple truth
That maybe we've been brainwashed too
So cynical, so hip, so full of shit
They told us to shut the fuck up and write another hit
The main theme of the lyrics in "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" by New Radicals is the idea that society is brainwashed by powerful corporations and the media. The song encourages listeners to question the messages put forth by these entities and to take responsibility in addressing societal issues. The lyrics take a critical look at various aspects of society, including banking, professional sports, news media, politics, and cultural biases. It suggests that people need to take a stand against greed, ignorance, and hypocrisy, and encourages them to engage in social change.
The song begins by suggesting that people have been brainwashed to accept certain things as truth, while ignoring other valuable perspectives. The lyrics point out that people trust their banks, despite the possibility of a financial crisis, and that the media only presents certain viewpoints that are owned by multinational corporations. The song also highlights the prevalence of sexism and racism, suggesting these biases are ingrained in everyday life. Additionally, the lyrics talk about the negative impact of credit card debt and the struggles of those living in poverty.
The chorus of the song encourages listeners to stand up and take action. It suggests that the world is in a dire situation and that people have to take responsibility to make a change. This sentiment is captured in the line "But first accept one simple truth, that maybe we've been brainwashed too." The song calls for people to be more aware of the messages they are being presented with and to take action to create a more equitable and fair society.
Line by Line Meaning
Consider the fact that
Take into account
Maybe you've been brainwashed too
You may have been manipulated and influenced as well
Many will tell you otherwise
Many people will argue against this idea
I bet you trust your bank
You probably place confidence in your financial institution
Just wait until it tanks
You will regret it when the bank faces financial failure
Your parents had it planned
Your future was predetermined by your family upbringing
We're almost just like them?
We are replicating our parents' life choices
Fun Racist professional sports
Professional sports perpetuate racist attitudes in a casual manner
Management gets the real rewards
High-level executives are the ones who benefit the most
Multinational owned evening news
Major corporations own and influence the content of nightly news programs
If we believe we're fools
If we think we're unintelligent
You watch 4.5 hours of TV a day
You spend over four hours daily watching television
And we should listen to what you have to say?
Should we truly take your opinions seriously?
Opinions on life and the world
Perspectives on existence and humanity
You eat at the Hard Rock abroad and you disrespect your girl
You dine at a chain restaurant while overseas and treat your significant other poorly
Sexism so ingrained
Gender discrimination is a deeply-rooted issue
That women get the blame
Females are often unfairly held accountable
Is it smug middle class satisfaction you peddle?
Are you promoting a sense of complacency within the middle class?
Better hope your car don't breakdown in the ghetto
You may face danger if your vehicle malfunctions in a poor urban area
Rich companies lobby best
Wealthy corporations have the strongest influence in politics
Use their products, prepare to lose a breast
Consuming specific items may result in health complications
Why your sick mother's health insurance got
Why did your ill mother's healthcare coverage disappear
"Accidentally" canceled is no mystery
The cancellation was far from accidental
Somebody's paying the government a lot
A large sum of money is being exchanged in government decision making
To have access to everybody's medical history
To obtain unrestricted knowledge about every individual's medical records
Greedy banks bought all the farms
Financial institutions have taken ownership of all agricultural land
Chemical food, aren't our lives charmed
Our consumption of processed food is causing health issues
Teenagers baited, their money spent
Young adults are lured into spending excessive amounts of money
With credit cards at twenty percent
Using credit cards with 20% interest rates
Too broke to worry about the loan
Unable to afford loan payments
Their funkin turning off your phone
Your phone service being terminated
And politics, a fuckin' joke
Politics is a mockery
Right and left, they're both a hoax
The political spectrum is a sham
Just hope the "international" markets don't crash
There is a possibility of a worldwide market crash
Rock 'n' Roll! Some truth? Alas!
Even rock 'n' roll doesn't always have truthful messages
Careerist cowards sucking ass
Individuals focused on their careers while compromising their morals
Is real investigative reporting dead?
Has genuine journalistic investigation ceased to exist?
Of course, but keep watching your CNN
Yes, it has, but continue watching mainstream news regardless
The glitz, the glamor, all jokes aside
Despite its flashy exterior, the news is not to be taken lightly
If a sponsor pays enough,
With enough payment from a sponsor
They'd turn a blind eye on 3rd world genocide
News networks would ignore mass killings in third world countries
"Bro, don't get heavy, the bills are paid!"
Don't bring up serious issues, finances are taken care of
Twice a week (missionary style) we all get laid
Engaging in sexual activity twice a week with minimal variety
Middle management goes first, your out on your ass
Middle management is the first to be let go from a company, leaving them jobless
Most ignorance is bred at home
Many individuals learn intolerant behavior from their families
Good Christian families? Then why condone
If families are religious and moral, why do they tolerate discriminatory behavior
Petty hatred of anything different or new
Unwarrented hatred towards anything unfamiliar
The fat girl hung herself in June
An overweight girl committed suicide in June
No love at home, they thought she was strong
Her family did not show her affection and believed she was emotionally strong
Her classmates made her up her own song
Her peers made fun of her by creating a derogatory tune
"Piggy Peggy ate everyone's pie"
The song referenced her weight and eating habits
The kids moved on, one teacher cried
The students no longer spoke of the girl, but a teacher mourned her loss
The kids switched targets the week after she died
The children found a new victim to bully shortly after the girl's death
Well? human nature won't change much
Unfortunately, people are unlikely to evolve their behaviors
Unless we make a shameful bunch
Unless we embarrass those who behave in negative ways
Of those we see so glaringly
Of those who blatantly demonstrate intolerant actions
Who show hate, ignorance and hypocrisy
Individuals who display malice, lack of knowledge, and inconsistency
Don't be a coward, make a stand!
Don't be afraid, take action!
Get in their face, act like a ham
Be confrontational and outspoken
Let people know it's not PC
Inform others that politically correct actions are necessary
To be greedy and judgmental under the guise of religion and democracy
It is inappropriate to be selfish and discriminatory under the mask of faith and politics
Get loud and stand up every time
Be passionate and vocal whenever possible
If you even give a fuck about mankind
If you care about humanity at all
'cause if human nature don't evolve soon
If people don't improve their behaviors soon
Don't kid yourself, you're fucking doomed
The outcome will be grim
Don't run away from change and growth
Don't shy away from changes and progress
Let's start right now, "I take the oath!"
Let's begin immediately, "I vow to make a change!"
But first accept one simple truth
First, acknowledge one clear fact
That maybe we've been brainwashed too
We may be victims of manipulation as well
So cynical, so hip, so full of shit
So negative, so cool, so insincere
They told us to shut the fuck up and write another hit
We were advised to refrain from serious discussions and only create popular songs
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GREGG ALEXANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind