We Built This City / We're Not Gonna Take It
Russell Brand & Catherine Zeta-Jones Lyrics
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Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Someone's always playing corporation games
Who cares they're always changing corporation names
We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage
They call us irresponsible, write us off the page
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
Who counts the money underneath the bar
Who rides the wrecking ball into our rock guitars
Don't tell us you need us, 'cause we're the ship of fools
Looking for America, crawling through your schools
We're not gonna take it (we built this city)
No, we ain't gonna take it (we built this city)
We're not gonna take it anymore (we built this city on rock and roll)
We're not gonna take it (we built this city)
No, we ain't gonna take it (we built this city)
We're not gonna take it anymore (we built this city on rock and roll)
We built this city on rock and roll
We built this city on rock and roll
"We Built This City / We're Not Gonna Take It" is a song by Russell Brand and Catherine Zeta-Jones that speaks of a generation of rock and roll enthusiasts who have created a new era of music based on rock and roll. The song asserts that the city was created on the foundation of rock and roll, an art form that symbolizes rebellion and emotional expression. The artists emphasize that they are a community of music lovers that resist the corporate world's influence by writing them off the page.
The song lyrically describes the corporate world as a game that involves changing company names and shifting leaders, while the rock and roll community is focused on dancing and having fun. The lyrics highlight a significant contrast that creates tension between the two groups. The artists use an imagery of a "ship of fools" to describe their urge to discover America, portraying their allure to explore new perspectives that may not be acceptable in the corporate world.
The song mentions the effect of the corporatization of music on rock and roll. It asserts that corporations are taking over the industry, and they do not value rock and roll, as artists are forced to conform to their standards. Despite all of these challenges, the artists maintain that they have built the city on rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
This city was established with hard-working values and dedicated to the genre of rock and roll.
Someone's always playing corporation games
There are always those who prioritize their own interests, even if it means playing games at the expense of others.
Who cares they're always changing corporation names
The people of this city don't have time or energy to invest in tracking the constant name changes of these sneaky corporations.
We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage
The citizens of this city just want to enjoy their life and music, but it seems like someone has taken away their ability to express themselves.
They call us irresponsible, write us off the page
Instead of understanding our unique culture and way of life, outsiders tend to label and ignore us.
But we're not gonna take it (no)
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
We refuse to be silenced and repressed any longer. Our voices will be heard and our culture will be cherished.
Who counts the money underneath the bar
We know there are financial strings being pulled behind the scenes of our establishments, but we don't have the power to fight it.
Who rides the wrecking ball into our rock guitars
Outside forces seem determined to destroy the unique identity of our community, even if it means smashing our beloved objects.
Don't tell us you need us, 'cause we're the ship of fools
We are not naive - we know we are viewed as outsiders and misfits. We don't seek anyone's validation or approval.
Looking for America, crawling through your schools
We are explorers, seeking out a place that will embrace and appreciate our unique culture. We don't need to conform to anyone else's expectations.
We're not gonna take it (we built this city)
No, we ain't gonna take it (we built this city)
We're not gonna take it anymore (we built this city on rock and roll)
Once again, we will not allow our culture to be torn down or forgotten. We will fight to maintain our identity and celebrate the values that built this city in the first place.
We built this city on rock and roll
We built this city on rock and roll
As a final reminder, our city was founded on the principles of hard work and commitment to the art of rock and roll. We will always be proud of our heritage and our community.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Martin George Page, Bernard J. P. Taupin, Dennis Lambert, Peter F. Wolf
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind