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".
The Decency League
New Radicals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm merely trying to deprive others of the reasonable use
of their sexual organs, organs.
The Decency League, dedicated to stopping all sexual behaviour.
I'm merely trying to deprive others of the reasonable use
of their sexual organs, organs.
Six, five, eight, three, two
Who-who, w-hooooo? Who-who, w-hooooo?
Who-who, w-hooooo? (sung over the following line)
I don't like the decency league, get out of my head.
Who-who, w-hooooo? (sung over the following line)
I don't like the decency league, get out of my bed.
The Decency League, dedicated to stopping all deviant behaviour.
I'm merely trying to deprive others of the reasonable use
of their sexual organs, organs.
The Decency League,
Who? (backing vocals)
Posing yourself 'gain on your "Christian" behaviour.
Yeah right, I'm merely pointing out to everyone,
Aha, (backing vocals)
I'm fucked up in the head, the head...
Six, five, four, three, two.
Who-who, (Woo!) w-hooooo? (Ah!)
Oh yeah, aha!
Who-who, (Baby!) w-hooooo? (It feels so good!)
Hey yeah, hey yeah.
Who-who, w-hooooo? (sung over the following line)
Aha, the decency league, get out of my head.
Who-who, w-hooooo? (sung over the following line)
We don't want the decency league, get out of our beds... Who-who, w-hooooo? (sung over the following line)
Hoo, yeah yeah, huh hmmm,
Who-who, w-hooooo? (sung over the following line)
Aooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww! Woo-wah-aw oh...
The Decency League, dedicated to stopping all sexual behaviour.
I'm merely trying to deprive others of the reasonable use
of their sexual organs.
The lyrics to New Radicals' song "The Decency League" are meant to be satirical, poking fun at the idea of a group dedicated to stopping all sexual behavior. The singer of the song identifies himself as a member of this league, claiming that he is trying to "deprive others of the reasonable use of their sexual organs." However, the absurdity of this statement becomes clear as the song goes on, with the singer singing lines like "I don't like the decency league, get out of my head" and "I'm fucked up in the head." The song ultimately comes across as a criticism of those who try to control others' sexuality and a celebration of sexual freedom.
One interesting aspect of this song is the way it uses repetition to emphasize its message. The lines "The Decency League, dedicated to stopping all sexual behavior" and "I'm merely trying to deprive others of the reasonable use of their sexual organs" are repeated several times throughout the song, driving home the absurdity of the singer's position. Additionally, the repeated "who-who, w-hooooo?" sounds create a sense of playfulness and irreverence that undercuts the seriousness of the lyrics.
Another interesting aspect of "The Decency League" is its musical style. The song features a catchy, upbeat melody that's reminiscent of 90s pop music, with jangly guitars and a driving drumbeat. However, there are also moments of dissonance and distortion, particularly in the bridge section, that give the song a more experimental feel. This contrasts with the song's seemingly straightforward lyrics, creating a sense of complexity and depth.
Line by Line Meaning
The Decency League, dedicated to stopping all sexual behaviour.
The organization known as the Decency League has a goal of putting an end to all forms of sexual behavior.
I'm merely trying to deprive others of the reasonable use
of their sexual organs, organs.
The singer claims that he is only trying to prevent others from using their sexual organs for reasonable purposes.
Six, five, eight, three, two
Who-who, w-hooooo? Who-who, w-hooooo?
It's OK, hey, hey.
These lines are likely nonsensical and serve to provide a rhythmic and musical transition in the song.
I don't like the decency league, get out of my head.
The artist expresses his dislike for the Decency League and wants them to stop influencing his thoughts.
I don't like the decency league, get out of my bed.
The artist wants the Decency League to stop affecting his sexual behaviors or desires.
The Decency League, dedicated to stopping all deviant behaviour.
I'm merely trying to deprive others of the reasonable use
of their sexual organs, organs.
The Decency League seeks to also stop any actions that they consider to be deviant, and the singer claims to be working towards preventing others from using their sexual organs.
Who? (backing vocals)
Posing yourself 'gain on your "Christian" behaviour.
Yeah right, I'm merely pointing out to everyone,
Aha, (backing vocals)
I'm fucked up in the head, the head...
These lines suggest that the Decency League is not truly practicing a Christian lifestyle, and the singer is pointing out the hypocrisy of their actions. The singer also reveals that they may have psychological issues.
Six, five, four, three, two.
Who-who, (Woo!) w-hooooo? (Ah!)
Oh yeah, aha!
Who-who, (Baby!) w-hooooo? (It feels so good!)
Hey yeah, hey yeah.
These lines, once again, seem to be mostly nonsensical and simply serve to create a rhythm and melody for the song.
Aha, the decency league, get out of my head.
We don't want the decency league, get out of our beds...
Hoo, yeah yeah, huh hmmm,
Aooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww! Woo-wah-aw oh...
The artist insists that they do not want the Decency League influencing their thoughts or sexual behaviors, and the later lines are musical and emotional expressions rather than providing any clear message.
Contributed by Layla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bonnie Cantrell
Thanks so much for posting this song !! I really miss New Radicals and hearing Gregg's amazing voice.
Bazz_Carnage7
my god ive not heard this b-side in years.forgotten how great it was
sergicolome
Thank you a lot for uploading the song!!
Dani
Never heard it but love it
Javier Cardenas
Que hay de nuevo con ellos, es la única agrupación de la cual me gustan absolutamente todas sus canciones, alguien aquí sabe si han producido recientemente?
David Dupont
discovered the song in 2005 i guess... felt like a new radicals song!!!!
Ben Dover
It is
brandonfrocks
this song is from a CD single (the single someday we'll know) from the album maybe youve been brainwashed too (u know, the song has a video)
Eaterologist
why is 'cryin like a church on monday' removed? 😥😥😥
brandonfrocks
nope, its old, from the single Someday we'll know