Meltdown
Red Red Red Lyrics
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DIY to get organized
Organized kids
Invincible youth
Liberate
Extract the truth
Monolithic corporations
AK-40oz.
Settle the score
Knocking fools out
Like Rocky five
I got gold in my sight
Wanna hold you in my arms
You're devastating like a bomb
There're no antidote
No cure
Tune in and drop out
All the products
All the lies
Got your brain homogenized
When all your news comes from one source
I'm Missing In Action like Chuck Norris
The opening lines of Red Red Red's Meltdown, "Mainstream to diy, DIY to get organized, Organized kids, Invincible youth" speak to the cyclical nature of youth subcultures, and the way in which these movements often start as underground, DIY affairs, only to gain popularity and become co-opted by mainstream culture. However, the song then takes a darker turn with lyrics like "Monolithic corporations, This situation we gotta fold", which suggest a growing frustration and sense of powerlessness in the face of big business and mass media. The mention of AK-40oz. and knocking fools out is a nod to both gang culture and the violent imagery that is often associated with youth countercultures, which can be seen as both a symptom of and a reaction to societal injustices. The verse "All the products, all the lies, got your brain homogenized", speaks to the way in which advertising and consumerism can stifle individuality and creativity, and the reference to Chuck Norris's Missing In Action character is perhaps a gesture towards the way in which certain male archetypes have become normalized in American culture.
Meltdown is a song that speaks to the frustration and despair that can come with feeling like one's voice is not being heard in society. The lyrics suggest a desire to extract the truth and to liberate oneself from the lies that we are told by those in power. The image of young people as invincible speaks to the way in which youth can often be a time of feeling untouchable and full of potential, but also hints at a growing disillusionment and recognition of just how broken the system really is. The song's anthemic quality and references to popular culture figures like Rocky and Chuck Norris speak to the way in which youth culture often draws inspiration from and interacts with mainstream media, even as it shapes its own unique identity and ethos.
Line by Line Meaning
Mainstream to diy
From the popular big corporations down to the independent and self-reliant do-it-yourself.
DIY to get organized
Choosing to make and create things on their own, as a means to establish their own structure and order.
Organized kids
Young people who have taken the initiative to make things for themselves and in the process, acquired a newfound sense of control.
Invincible youth
The young generation that has discovered their own power and strength by taking matters into their own hands.
Liberate
To free themselves from their oppressors and create a new path of their own choosing.
Extract the truth
To uncover the reality behind the lies and deceits of those who would keep them down.
Monolithic corporations
The huge and powerful corporations that control the mainstream, imposing their agenda onto everyone else.
This situation we gotta fold
They must put a stop to this system of exploitation and reclaim their independence.
AK-40oz.
A reference to a firearm and a bottle of alcohol, both of which can be used as coping mechanisms.
Settle the score
Revenge against those who have wronged them.
Knocking fools out
Dealing with their problems head on and not backing down.
Like Rocky five
A reference to the underdog mentality and taking on established and powerful foes with courage and determination.
I got gold in my sight
Focused on their goals and aspirations, determined to succeed.
Wanna hold you in my arms
A desire for someone or something that is meaningful and valuable to them.
You're devastating like a bomb
The object of their affection is immensely powerful and destructive, much like a bomb.
There're no antidote
There is no solution or remedy to the damage caused by this person or thing.
No cure
Nothing can heal or correct the issues caused by this person or thing.
Tune in and drop out
Disengaging from the mainstream and finding their own way.
All the products
The vast and ridiculous selection of products that are constantly being peddled to them every day.
All the lies
The pervasive culture of deceit and manipulation that permeates the mainstream media and corporations.
Got your brain homogenized
The mainstream media and corporations have conditioned and numbed them, reducing them to an unthinking and compliant mass.
When all your news comes from one source
When the only information you receive is from a single, biased source.
I'm Missing In Action like Chuck Norris
Choosing to disengage from the mainstream, much like the character portrayed by Chuck Norris in his films.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JASON ANTHONY DIVINCENZO, JEFF JAWORSKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind