Jesse Michaels – vocals
Tim Armstrong – guitar
Matt Freeman – bass
Dave Mello – drums
The Crowd
Operation Ivy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blurry images fit their way through halfway opened eyes
Awakened by alarm fifteen minutes of hygiene
Twenty minutes of eating thirty seconds to the door
I looked outside I looked into the eyes
Of the impersonal mob I've seen a thousand times before
Feeling under covers like books on a shelf
Must be scared of our self
More than just another crowd
We need a gathering instead
Drink drink in the bad land liquid bread for the poor
Another member of the crowd goes down
To drown at the liquor store
Choose your escape in the heartland
Of product and demand when you feel like a wasp in the swarm
You gotta get away anyway that you can
The lyrics to Operation Ivy's song "The Crowd" paint a picture of the everyday routine of a person living in a big city. The first line, "Wrenched into the world, deanaesthetized," suggests a feeling of being forced into the world, without any real choice or control over one's life. The second line, "Blurry images fit their way through halfway opened eyes," hints at the overwhelming and chaotic nature of living in a fast-paced urban environment. The following lines describe the mundane tasks of getting ready in the morning and heading out into the world, with only brief moments to spare before facing the crowds outside.
The chorus laments the dehumanizing effect of living in a city where you're constantly surrounded by people, yet remain disconnected and anonymous. The line, "Feeling under covers like books on a shelf, if we're scared of one another, must be scared of ourselves," speaks to a sense of isolation and detachment from others, as everyone struggles to cope with the daily grind of urban life.
The second verse contrasts the reality of city living with the idea of connection and community. The lines, "More than just another crowd, we need a gathering instead," suggest a desire for something more meaningful and authentic than the superficial interactions of daily city life. However, the final lines convey a sense of hopelessness, as the singer realizes that escape is the only option available in a world driven by consumerism and demand.
Line by Line Meaning
Wrenched into the world, deanaesthetized
Thrown into the world without a say and numb to the reality of the situation.
Blurry images fit their way through halfway opened eyes
Images coming through a blurry lens, suggesting lack of clarity in their surroundings.
Awakened by alarm fifteen minutes of hygiene
Waking up to a clock routinely and starting a rushed process of cleaning.
Twenty minutes of eating thirty seconds to the door
A limited time available for eating before rushing out of the door.
I looked outside I looked into the eyes
Looking outside and observing the crowd's faces passing by.
Of the impersonal mob I've seen a thousand times before
Seeing a crowd that is so common, no individuality is present.
Feeling under covers like books on a shelf
Feeling trapped and hidden like books on a shelf that are not read.
If we're scared of one another
If we are afraid of each other.
Must be scared of our self
We must be afraid of ourselves as a group.
More than just another crowd
This is more than just another ordinary, mindless gathering of people.
We need a gathering instead
What's needed is a gathering with significance and purpose.
Drink drink in the bad land liquid bread for the poor
Turning to alcohol when one is stuck in a dire situation or impoverished state.
Another member of the crowd goes down
Another person is lost to the conformity of the crowd and their destructive behaviors.
To drown at the liquor store
To spiral out of control and become trapped in the addiction of alcohol, often at a liquor store.
Choose your escape in the heartland
Choosing how to escape our problems in the center of where they exist.
Of product and demand when you feel like a wasp in the swarm
Trying to navigate product and demand with the feeling of being stuck in a large, confusing crowd.
You gotta get away anyway that you can
You have to find a way to escape and survive any way you can in a stifling environment.
Lyrics © HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
Written by: JOHN AARON LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kiwan idzwan
Wrenched into the world, deanaesthetized
Blurry images fit their way through halfway opened eyes
Awakened by alarm fifteen minutes of hygiene
Twenty minutes of eating thirty seconds to the door
I looked outside I looked into the eyes
Of the impersonal mob I've seen a thousand times before
Feeling under covers like books on a shelf
If we're scared of one another
Must be scared of our self
More than just another crowd
We need a gathering instead
Drink drink in the bad land liquid bread for the poor
Another member of the crowd goes down
To drown at the liquor store
Choose your escape in the heartland
Of product and demand when you feel like a wasp in the swarm
You gotta get away anyway that you can
Pod
The dope factor of that opening bassline transcends music. It cuts through your soul. It's like hearing a bass cry out in longing.
Juan Deer
🙌
Matt Ziegler
Matt Freeman is a genius on his instrument. Listen to Rancid Axiom
ilikemygreens
@Matt Ziegler nice pfp
TheBLGL
Well, it is Matt Freeman….
Eric Lund
This song kicks ass. Wish there was punk this good all the time. Thanks operation ivy
omnivision6
One of the best punk songs ever made.
Nick de Groot
That intro is probably the best intro to any punk song.
Xskeaton
officer
Tj Lutkevich
I love this tune so much but my vote would be one dead cop by choking victim