The Power Is Yours
Redskins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're so polite
It makes me want to shout
We waive the everything we want
An' take the nothing we already have
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to blow...
All is in reach & as clear as day
Remains a mile away
So we while away
Going nowhere bit by bit
An' it just seems
We can't get round to gettin' round to it
Sometimes it makes me ache...
Someone once wrote
All the world's a stage
But the truth comes written somewhat different on my
Page
I know this script's fixed from the start
Cos ordinary men & women only get
Supporting parts
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to explode
We spend our lives
Waitin' for
Someone other than ourselves
To make a move
We always do
We do
We always blow it
I know
You know
I know you know it but...
I keep on coming back because
The power is yours
The lyrics of Redskins's song, The Power Is Yours, convey a strong message about the need to take control of one's life and stop waiting for someone else to make a move. The opening lines call for action and emphasize the need to stop being polite and start taking charge of the situation. The frustration is evident in the repetition of "waiting on hold" for something to happen, and the feeling of being stuck in one place without progress is compounded by the image of moving "nowhere bit by bit."
The song acknowledges the reality that the world is not a level playing field, and that some people seem to have scripted roles as supporting characters rather than lead roles. However, the refrain of the song insists that the power to change this lies within every individual. It reminds listeners that they always have the power to make a move and take control of their lives, and that waiting for someone else to do it will always result in disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get this situation sorted out!
We need to solve this problem!
We're so polite
We are being too nice and need to act more assertive.
It makes me want to shout
It frustrates me to the point where I want to scream.
We waive the everything we want
We give up everything we want.
An' take the nothing we already have
We settle for what we currently have.
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to blow...
I'm waiting for something to change drastically.
All is in reach & as clear as day
Everything we want is achievable and easy to see.
Yet the smallest move
Remains a mile away
We are very close to achieving our goals, but still far away.
So we while away
Going nowhere bit by bit
We waste time, making no progress.
An' it just seems
We can't get round to gettin' round to it
We are having a hard time starting.
Sometimes it makes me ache...
It's frustrating.
Someone once wrote
All the world's a stage
But the truth comes written somewhat different on my
Page
The world is not fair, as some people have more power and opportunities than others.
I know this script's fixed from the start
Cos ordinary men & women only get
Supporting parts
Some people are always meant to be in the background and not have much influence.
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to explode
I'm waiting for something drastic to happen before making a move.
We spend our lives
Waitin' for
Someone other than ourselves
To make a move
We always wait for others to take action.
We always do
We do
We always blow it
I know
You know
I know you know it but...
We keep making the same mistakes and failing, even though we know better.
I keep on coming back because
The power is yours
Despite our failures, we keep trying because we have the power to succeed on our own.
Contributed by Elliot J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paulsalisbury691
What a great band... fortunately lucky enough to see them live in Hull a few times during the mid 80s at the trades and labour club.. superb and great memories until it come to meeting Chris Dean... shame
@nic-ci_66-77
One of the greatest r'n'blues record ever
@telsutton
You need to reissue this album... ne'er been more essential than now.
In fact a 'complete recordings' boxset would be best. Do it!
@danbaddielfoto1295
A box set is rumoured to be in advanced proceedings
@timneave3240
They were listening because they did! Just in time for the collapse of capitalism before our eyes. It's brilliant, of course it is.
@jahwar9396
what a fucking record !
@Jaz-wb2qt
The fact this got a thousand views AND 19 LIKES U KIDDING ME AND ONE COMMENT