Conservative compromises would be a thing of the past; ON AN ON, as they would name their band, would make music and art that melted outside the lines. It was perfect timing: they were already scheduled to record in a Toronto studio in two week’s time with acclaimed producer, Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene). With a knack for genre-melding, and a boundary-pushing mindset, Newfeld would prove to be the perfect match for the trio’s new caution-less approach: synthesizers, scattershot electro beats and ambient ear candy would give guitars, bass and drums a newfound ghostly sheen. The end result was Give In, ON AN ON’s ten-track debut album – a dream-washed textural journey armed with a biting perspective on the commonality of loss. The affair sizzles with electricity and calls one in with its unnerved openness. It’s a project – and approach to music — the three musicians in ON AN ON had been waiting for.
Cops
On An On Lyrics
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cops
pull up with their
bright lights
they told me, told me, told me, told me
everything will be alright
I just want you to know, that they want you so
they were lies, they were lies
they told me, told me, told me, told me
everything would be alright
I just want you to know, that they want you so
the chair's on fire
the judgement's on fire
the story's gone viral
the file's on fire
but they told me, told me, told me, told me
everything would be alright
I just want you to know, that they want you so
(everything is not okay)
(everything, everything)
I just want you to know, that they want you so
(everything, everything)
The lyrics to On An On's song Cops speak to the experience of being at the mercy of authority figures. The song uses repetitive, panicked phrasing to convey the sense of being overwhelmed by the bright lights and blaring commands of police officers. The repeated line, "they told me everything would be alright," becomes tinged with doubt and betrayal as the chaos around the singer continues to escalate. The desperation in the repeated refrain "I just want you to know, that they want you so" suggests a feeling of being entrapped by the authority figures who are supposed to be protecting the singer.
The second half of the song introduces a sense of urgency and danger as multiple items are mentioned to be on fire - the chair, the judgement, the story, the file. This could be a metaphor for the legal consequences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or simply a symbol of the chaos and destruction that the singer imagines is happening around them. The final repetition of "everything, everything" reminds us that the situation is all-consuming and all-encompassing, while the declaration that "everything is not okay" brings a sense of finality to the narrative of the song.
Overall, Cops is a vivid and visceral embodiment of the feeling of powerlessness in the face of authority. The lyrics paint a picture of chaos and confusion, and the singer's desperate cries for help highlight the lack of control that they have in the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
cops
Police officers
pull up with their
Arrive in their vehicles
bright lights
Flashing lights on their vehicles
they told me, told me, told me, told me
Repetition of a message from the police to assure they'd solve the problem
everything will be alright
Assurance that things will be resolved
I just want you to know, that they want you so
Police's intention is not to help but to capture
they were lies, they were lies
The assurances that they gave were false
they were all lies
All the guarantees proved to be deceitful
the chair's on fire
A metaphorical line that expresses the judgment is prejudiced
the judgement's on fire
The legal decision is faulty and inaccurate
the story's gone viral
The news of the incident has spread widely
the file's on fire
A metaphorical line that suggests the destruction of evidence
everything is not okay
The situation is not good
I just want you to know, that they want you so
Reiterating that the police's main motive is to catch the person in question
Contributed by Hudson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kristina Graves
I felt the same way Chris! Incredible vocal range !!!!!
Rom
this song takes me to places, love it!
Nick Alan
Never realized you guys were from MN! I have been listening to you non-stop, and NOW I realize we live in the same state. Pretty please play a show in Minneapolis soon. Thank you for making incredible music.
Fright Attendant
This band is so great. They need to break big!
Mr Poop
This is weird..... I always thought she sang this song and the bassist..... Props to him though for have such great vocal range
Andrei Kalinin
>> 749 views WHY?
Mr Poop
*and not the bassist.