Jesse Michaels – vocals
Tim Armstrong – guitar
Matt Freeman – bass
Dave Mello – drums
Here We Go Again
Operation Ivy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Operation Ivy's song "Here We Go Again" is a reflection on the struggles of young adults to come to terms with the realities of life. The song begins with the realization that life is not a linear journey and that every ending is a new beginning. The lyrics paint a picture of the world around them, which despite being flawed, is still beautiful in its own way. The lyrics suggest that society is often built around domination and competition, where success is measured by the weak being stomped on, making it seem like the right thing to do. However, the tensions in our lives, which attack our minds, unite us, and make us blind in our consciousness.
The song's central message is that we need to relax and take control of our minds instead of allowing ourselves to be conditioned to self-interest. We need to question the world around us and keep wondering what we want while getting older, fast. It is a call to introspection, encouraging young adults not to give up control of their lives and minds to society.
Line by Line Meaning
it's not the ending its the beginning
This moment is not the end, but a new beginning.
the ground is moist and it rained last night
The earth is humid and it poured the previous night.
smells like smoke and it smells so clean
The scent of smoke is present, but it's not unpleasant.
the sun is shining down like a freindly white light
The sun is radiating a warm, reassuring light.
here we go again analyzed the world i was born into
Reflecting on my upbringing and former experiences.
but i could never understand knew i never wanted to grow up if that meant being a 'man'
Although I couldn't comprehend it, I knew I didn't want to conform to societal expectations of masculinity.
dominating strict competition is the meaning of our lives
Our lives are centered around winning through intense competition.
stomping on the weak keeps us the winner of the battle in our minds
We triumph in our thoughts by crushing those who are weaker.
tensions in our lives that are attacking our minds unite themselves together to make our consciousness blind
Our stressful existence causes us to be oblivious to the reality around us.
conditioned to self-interest with emotions locked away
We are conditioned to only focus on ourselves and hide our feelings.
if that's what they call normal i'd rather be insane
If conformity is considered normal, then I'd rather be considered insane.
relax yourself from giving what you want to do with your life
Don't let external pressures dictate how you should live your life.
ease up from giving up things like control of yr own mind
Stop relinquishing control of your own thoughts and decisions.
if you never ask any question then you're never gonna get no answer
You won't receive answers unless you actively ask questions.
always be wondering what do you want while you keep getting older faster
Continuously question what you truly want for yourself while time continues to pass by quickly.
here we go again another test of manhood just when you thought you'd won
Another obstacle of manliness arises even when you believed you had conquered them all.
the more we keep competing the more the battle has just begun
The more we strive to be superior in competition, the more we realize the battle never truly ends.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DAVID M MELLO, JESSE MICHAELS, ROGER MATTHEW FREEMAN, TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@priscila7750
It's not the ending, it's the beginning
The ground is moist and it rained last night
Smells like smoke and it smells so clean
The sun shines down like a friendly white light
Here we go again
Analyzed the world I was born into
But I never could understand
Knew I never wanted to grow up if that meant being a man
Dominating strict competition is the meaning of our lives
Stomping on the weak keeps us the winner of the battle in our minds
Tensions in our lives that are destroying our minds
Unite themselves together, make our consciousness blind
Conditioned to self-interest with emotions locked away
If that's what they call normal, then I'd rather be insane
Relax yourself from giving what you want to do with your life
Ease up from giving up things like-like control of your own mind
If you never ask any questions
Then you're never gonna get no answers
Always be wondering what do you want
While you keep getting older faster
Tensions in your lives that are destroying our minds
Unite themselves together, make our consciousness blind
Conditioned to self-interest with emotions locked away
If that's what they call normal, then I'd rather be insane
(Insane)
Insane
Tensions in our lives that are destroying our minds
Unite themselves together, make our consciousness blind
Conditioned to self-interest with emotions locked away
If that's what they call normal, then I'd rather be insane
Relax yourself from giving what you want to do with your life
Ease up from giving up things like control of your own mind
Never gonna ask any question
Then you're never gonna get no answer
Always be wondering what do you want
Keep getting older faster
(Here we go again)
Conditioned to self-interest with emotions locked away
(Here we go again)
If that's what they call normal, rather be insane
(Here we go again)
Another test of manhood
(Here we go again)
Just when you thought you won
(Here we go again)
The more we keep competing
(Here we go again)
The more the battle's just begun
@shamanllama
i think "tensions in our lives that are destroying our minds unite themselves together to make our consciousness blind. conditioned to self-interest with emotions locked away, if thats what they call normal, id rather be insane" is one of the greatest lyrical line written. op ivy is definitely the best punk band to have ever existed.
@flinchey6962
Op Ivy’s lyrics were INSANE, Energy is one of the greatest punk albums to ever exist
@mattthompson9395
Incredible
@HeyChicagoWhattaSay
I agree with you with all my heart. When people say thee band, I think Operation Ivy. When I dream of my ideal reunited band it's Operation Ivy. It's the band we need, but not the band we deserve.
@ListedMia-sm4xm
Bc Tim LINT ARMSTRONG is Friggin underrated, genius poet
@CriticalPedagogy
Another test of "manhood", just when you thought you'd won, the more we keep competing, the more the battle has just begun. Jesse was on another level...timeless
@TheJayman213
One of my all-time favorite bass lines. So fat, so skanky, so awesome!
@ladyspace6365
This was the first bass line I ever played. 20 years ago.
@the_actual_dman
What did you call me? Jk
@dmc009
Matt freeman is a f*ckin' monster. Gosh dang tragedy, yo. I could live without rancid or common rider if these mah'kas didn't split.