Their debut album, "Everything Sucks" (1995), was an underground hit and led to a deal with Mojo Records (see also Mojo), an indie label. "Turn the Radio Off" (1996) established the band in the underground music scene, and they began touring throughout the USA. After the single "Sell Out" began breaking into the mainstream, including MTV, the album made an appearance on the charts. The ska revival was short-lived, however, and "Why Do They Rock So Hard?" (1998) did not lead the group to the mainstream.
Reel Big Fish released "Cheer Up" (2002) which began a movement into harder rock and pop sounds, with much less ska than the previous albums. The song "Where Have You Been?" was aimed at a wider audience, trying to drop the less popular ska sound, but was met with little mainstream success, despite the video. Their second most recent studio album was "We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy" (2005).
They recently released "Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album" (2006) which includes 2 discs worth or their own tunes and a few covers of popular songs along with a DVD. They have worked on the soundtrack to BASEketball, which included a cover of A-Ha's Take On Me.
In 2006, they split from Jive records, who produced a "Best of" album against the will of the band, who could not prevent the release. The band has made a campaign to try and stop people buying the album.
Their 7th album "Monkeys For Nothing and the Chimps For Free" (2007) includes some songs that were previously recorded and released on other albums. It was also the first album with the band's new label, Rock Ridge Records.
In 2009, they released "Fame, Fortune, and Fornication" an album composed of covers of older songs, including "Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty, and "Nothin' But a Good Time" by Poison.
In 2012, Reel Big Fish released "Candy Coated Fury", which is their second album on Rock Ridge Records. This album was met with heavy amounts of criticism from fans and reviewers alike. PunkNews.org gave the album a 2/10.
in 2014, they released "Happy Skalidays", a holiday themed EP.
Their current release is 2018's "Life Sucks... Let's Dance!", which gained generally positive reviews from fans and critics.
Current members:
Aaron Barrett - guitar, lead vocals (1992–present)
Dan Regan - trombone, backing vocals (1994–present)
John Christianson - trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)
Ryland Steen - drums (2005–present)
Derek Gibbs - bass guitar (2007–present)
Past members:
Ben Guzman - vocals (1992–1994)
Zach Gilltrap - keyboards/synthesizers (1992–1994)
Lisa Smith - guitar (1992–1994)
Eric Vismantes - trumpet (1994)
Stephan Reed - saxophone (1994)
Robert Quimby - trombone (1994–1995)
Adam Polakoff - saxophone (1994–1995)
Grant Barry - trombone (1995–1998)
Andrew Gonzales - drums (1992–1998)
Tavis Werts - trumpet (1994–2001)
Carlos de la Garza - drums (1999–2003)
Tyler Jones - trumpet (2001–2004)
Justin Ferreira - drums (2003–2005)
Matt Wong - bass, backing vocals (1992–2007)
Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1995–2011)
Talkin' Bout A Revolution
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you know they're talkin' about a revolution, it sounds like a whisper
While they're standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion
Poor people gonna rise up and get their share
Poor people gonna rise up and take what's theirs
Don't you know you better run run run run run run run run run run run run
I said you better run run run run run run run run run run run run
'Cause finally the tables are starting to turn, talkin' 'bout a revolution
Yes, finally the tables are starting to turn, talkin' 'bout a revolution
Oh no, talkin' 'bout a revolution
Oh, I been standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion
Don't you know they're talkin' about a revolution, it sounds like a whisper
And finally the tables are starting to turn, talkin' 'bout a revolution
Yes, finally the tables are starting to turn, talkin' 'bout a revolution
The lyrics to "Talkin' Bout A Revolution" by Reel Big Fish convey the struggles and frustrations of the working class population, who are fed up with the social inequality and injustice perpetuated by the government and the privileged upper class. The repeated line "Don't you know they're talkin' about a revolution, it sounds like a whisper" suggests that the revolution may not be a loud, violent upheaval but rather a slow, gradual awakening of the masses to the need for change. The mention of standing in welfare lines and crying at the doorsteps of armies of salvation highlights the desperation and helplessness of people who are struggling to make ends meet, while wasting time in unemployment lines and waiting for promotions represents the stagnation and lack of progress in their lives.
The refrain "Poor people gonna rise up and get their share, poor people gonna rise up and take what's theirs" is a call to action, urging the downtrodden to take matters into their own hands and fight for their rights instead of waiting for others to do it for them. The urgency in the repetition of "you better run" suggests that the revolution is inevitable, and those who benefit from the status quo should be prepared to face the consequences. Finally, the phrase "finally the tables are starting to turn" suggests that change is happening, despite the slow pace, and that a better future may be within reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know they're talkin' about a revolution, it sounds like a whisper
There's talk about revolution, but it's not overt or obvious.
While they're standing in the welfare lines
People who are struggling and relying on welfare for support.
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
People are desperately seeking help from charities or organizations that offer aid.
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
People who are unable to find employment and are stuck in the cycle of seeking job opportunities.
Sitting around waiting for a promotion
People working tirelessly in the hopes of a much-needed promotion to improve their lives.
Poor people gonna rise up and get their share
Those who have been denied basic necessities and necessities will be motivated to stand up and demand it.
Poor people gonna rise up and take what's theirs
The underprivileged will seize the means to a better life that has been withheld from them.
Don't you know you better run run run run run run run run run run run run
An urgent warning to those who oppose the revolution to flee from the inevitable uprising.
'Cause finally the tables are starting to turn, talkin' 'bout a revolution
After years of oppression, the lower class is beginning to gain power and initiate change.
Oh no, talkin' 'bout a revolution
An exclamation about the magnitude and significance of the upcoming revolution.
Oh, I been standing in the welfare lines
The artist has personally experienced the struggles of those who rely on welfare and are struggling to survive.
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
The artist has, too, begged for assistance from charitable organizations.
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
The artist has personally faced the obstacles of unemployment and struggling to find work.
Sitting around waiting for a promotion
The artist mentions personal experience of working and waiting for a promotion that has yet to come.
And finally the tables are starting to turn, talkin' 'bout a revolution
Reaffirmation that the revolution is beginning to take shape and history is being made.
Yes, finally the tables are starting to turn, talkin' 'bout a revolution
Acknowledgement that positive change is beginning to occur and the revolution is in motion.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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