RISE
SFA Lyrics
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You say you're going to change the world, the revolution's here
But the rich laugh at you while you think you're so smart
Because the whole world to you is Tompkins Square Park
No more, we rise, we fight, never give in
You say you're politically correct and you're so great
It takes deeds not words to make the system fall
Instead of burning flags go burn City Hall
The lyrics of Super Furry Animals' song Rise are a commentary on political activism and the futility of words and gestures without actual action. The lyrics describe a character sitting on a street corner, drinking beer, espousing grand ideas of revolution, and changing the world. However, the rich and powerful scoff at him as he fixates on the small world of Tompkins Square Park. The chorus, "No more, we rise, we fight, never give in," suggests a call to action, to move beyond words and into deeds to incite real change.
The second verse of the song criticizes performative activism, or the idea of being politically correct without actually doing anything. The character in the song is described as being "so great" for being politically correct, but the lyrics suggest that simply having morals or opinions is not enough to bring down the system. Instead, it takes real action to make meaningful change, like burning City Hall, an iconic civic building often associated with bureaucracy and corruption.
Overall, the lyrics of Rise are biting and cynical, challenging listeners to move beyond empty gestures and into meaningful, impactful activism to incite change.
Line by Line Meaning
You sit on the corner and you drink your beer
You are engaging in idle behavior and not taking action towards your goals.
You say you're going to change the world, the revolution's here
You proclaim your intentions to make a positive change in the world, but your actions don't match your words.
But the rich laugh at you while you think you're so smart
The wealthy are dismissive of your efforts and see you as foolish and insignificant.
Because the whole world to you is Tompkins Square Park
Your vision is narrow and limited to your immediate surroundings, preventing you from making an impact on a larger scale.
No more, we rise, we fight, never give in
We will no longer be passive or complacent, but instead, we will actively resist and persevere through challenges.
You say you're politically correct and you're so great
You value appearing virtuous more than taking real action and making real change.
But morals alone won't bring down the state
Having a moral compass is a start, but it is not enough to dismantle oppressive systems of power.
It takes deeds not words to make the system fall
Tangible efforts and actions are necessary to disrupt and dismantle the oppressive societal structures in place.
Instead of burning flags go burn City Hall
Rather than resorting to symbolic, surface-level gestures, one should direct their efforts towards the source of the issue and challenge those in power.
Contributed by Joshua D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.