Sarah Kirsch (guitar, vocals) of Fuel (think Monuments to Excess) was in the band when they first formed in 1991, but eventually left, citing personal differences with Green Day (the band for which Billie Joe Armstrong is most famous).
The band's name comes from a brand of "high octane" green tea discovered serendipitously by Aaron Cometbus during one of his many dumpster diving adventures. Aaron Cometbus, who releases the "Cometbus" fanzine, has played with many other bands, such as Crimpshrine and Cleveland Bound Death Sentence, and has long been a part of East Bay's punk culture.
Pinhead Gunpowder's music has been released through Lookout Records and Adeline Records (the latter co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong and a major occupation of Jason White).
I Wanna
Pinhead Gunpowder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes far-fetched but I still feel
That we could try and maybe they
Would just work out
But you say no, don't even try
I ask but you don't know why
You just frown and shoot me down
Yeah, you're so smart
Everyone's so cynical
Can't feel a thing, so logical
Can't make a point, they
Intellectualize everything
I believe in naievty
Don't think it's dumb
Believe in dreams and silly schemes
Still human
I wish I was, and not dumb
But I feel myself getting numb...
I gotta dream and you can't say
That it's not right and it's okay
To just give up
But you say no, don't even try
I ask you but you don't know why
You just frown and shoot me down
Yeah, you're so smart
People say so condescending
Your idealism is amusing
But I say being alive is choosing
To not give up
The lyrics to Pinhead Gunpowder's song "I Wanna" speak to the desire to make ideas a reality, even when others are dismissive or cynical. The singer of the song wants to try things, even if they seem far-fetched, and believes that they might just work out. However, those around them are quick to shoot down these ideas, seemingly without reason. The singer believes in naivety and the power of dreams, but increasingly feels themselves losing that spark in the face of others' negativity.
The song speaks to the tension between creativity and cynicism, between dreaming big and settling for practicality. The singer of the song is frustrated by the lack of support for their ideas, and struggles to maintain their belief in the power of naivety and positivity. It's a relatable sentiment for anyone who has ever been told to stick to the status quo or give up on their dreams.
Overall, the message of "I Wanna" is one of resilience in the face of skepticism. It's a call to believe in the power of ideas and to keep pushing even when others doubt you. It's a reminder that sometimes, the craziest ideas just might work out.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to work to make ideas real
I desire to invest effort into transforming ideas into reality
Sometimes far-fetched but I still feel
Although occasionally unlikely, I remain confident in these ideas
That we could try and maybe they
Exploring these ideas might result in success
Would just work out
These ideas have the potential to be successful
But you say no, don't even try
You are dismissing these ideas without giving them a chance
I ask but you don't know why
You cannot provide a valid explanation for your dismissal
You just frown and shoot me down
You are being dismissive and negative without reason
Yeah, you're so smart
A sarcastic remark implying that their intelligence is not being used productively
Everyone's so cynical
A commentary on the pervasive negative attitudes surrounding audacious ideas
Can't feel a thing, so logical
People are so focused on logic that they have lost touch with their emotions
Can't make a point, they
Despite their focus on logic, these people are unable to effectively articulate their own opinions
Intellectualize everything
Over-analyzing and philosophizing every topic, leading to inaction and social paralysis
I believe in naievty
The belief in unbridled idealism and imagination, regardless of whether they are feasible or not
Don't think it's dumb
Rejecting the notion that this naivety is a bad thing
Believe in dreams and silly schemes
Encouraging the pursuit of creative, imaginative ideas
Still human
Despite our fascination with logic, dreaming and imagination are an important part of our nature
I wish I was, and not dumb
Expressing a desire to be more intelligent, but still valuing creativity and imagination above all else
But I feel myself getting numb...
Feeling defeated and apathetic as a result of the lack of support for imaginative ideas
I gotta dream and you can't say
Despite being discouraged, I still have hope for my ideas
That it's not right and it's okay
It is alright to pursue these grand ideas, despite the lack of support
To just give up
Avoiding the temptation to be apathetic or disillusioned
But you say no, don't even try
Acknowledging a person who continually dismisses grand ideas without justification
I ask you but you don't know why
The person being dismissed requests an explanation behind the negative attitude toward these ideas, but cannot obtain one
You just frown and shoot me down
Returning to the critical, dismissive attitude of a person who cannot give a real reason for their negativity
Yeah, you're so smart
Rounding the song out by emphasizing the sarcastic tone of dismissers and encouraging people to continue pursuing grand ideas
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILLY MONTANA, J QUINN, MIKE PLUME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind