Discography:
1995 - Sleater-Kinney (Chainsaw)
1996 - Call the Doctor (Chainsaw)
1997 - Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars)
1999 - The Hot Rock (Kill Rock Stars)
2000 - All Hands on the Bad One (Kill Rock Stars)
2002 - One Beat (Kill Rock Stars)
2005 - The Woods (Sub Pop)
2015 - No Cities to Love (Sub Pop)
2019 - The Center Won't Hold (Mom+Pop)
2021 - Path of Wellness (Mom+Pop)
A New Wave
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But if it would be more fitting, fitting
And every time I come a little higher
Should I leap or go on living, living?
Hear the voices venomous and thrilling
In their hair, they're always calling, calling
But I wanna, gotta go the way my butt beats
So I'm not falling for the folly, folly
No one here is taking notice
No outline will ever hold us
It's not a new wave, it's just you and me
Eyes are the only witness
Die to prove we ever lived this
Invent our own kind of obscurity
Let's destroy a room with this love
We can drain out all the power, power
Steal from the makers who had made us
Leave them nothing to devour, devour
Well I am raw material
Make me plastic, make me fuel
I can be, I can be
I can be all
No one here is taking notice
No outline will ever hold us
It's not a new wave, it's just you and me
Eyes are the only witness
Die to prove we ever lived this
Invent our own kind of obscurity
No one here is taking notice
No outline will ever hold us
It's not a new wave, it's just you and me
Eyes are the only witness
Die to prove we ever lived this
Invent our own kind of obscurity
In "A New Wave," Sleater-Kinney seems to be addressing the pressures and expectations placed on them as artists while also celebrating their individuality and autonomy. The lyrics suggest that the band is tired of conforming to expectations and is determined to carve out their own path, regardless of how others perceive them. Lines like "Should I leap or go on living" and "But I wanna, gotta go the way my butt beats" showcase this sense of defiance and determination.
The chorus continues to emphasize the band's rejection of conformity, insisting that "no outline will ever hold us" and that they are inventing their "own kind of obscurity." They want to exist on their own terms and create their own legacy, rather than adhering to anyone else's rules or expectations. This attitude is mirrored in lines like "Let's destroy a room with this love" and "I am raw material / Make me plastic, make me fuel / I can be all," which suggest a willingness to reinvent and redefine themselves as needed.
Overall, "A New Wave" feels like a celebration of individuality, creativity, and rebellion. The band is rejecting any sort of box that others might try to put them in and is determined to create something unique and lasting in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Well every day I throw a little party
Every day, I make a conscious effort to celebrate and enjoy life.
But if it would be more fitting, fitting
However, if it would be better or more appropriate to do something differently.
And every time I come a little higher
Each time I make progress, grow, or learn something new.
Should I leap or go on living, living?
Should I take a big risk and try something new or continue to live the way I have been?
Hear the voices venomous and thrilling
Hear the exciting yet somewhat dangerous and negative opinions of others.
In their hair, they're always calling, calling
Their thoughts and opinions are always present and bother me.
But I wanna, gotta go the way my butt beats
But I need to follow my own instincts and desires.
So I'm not falling for the folly, folly
So I'm not going to get caught up in the foolishness and negativity of others.
No one here is taking notice
No one around me is paying attention or cares about what I'm doing.
No outline will ever hold us
We won't let any rules or restrictions keep us down or stop us from doing what we want.
It's not a new wave, it's just you and me
Our actions and decisions are not part of a larger trend or movement, but rather just the two of us acting on our own.
Eyes are the only witness
The only evidence of our actions is what we see with our own eyes.
Die to prove we ever lived this
We are willing to go to extreme lengths to prove that we truly experienced this moment.
Invent our own kind of obscurity
We will create our own version of being obscure or unknown.
Let's destroy a room with this love
Let's express our love in a passionate, intense way.
We can drain out all the power, power
We can use our love to overcome and overpower any external forces or obstacles.
Steal from the makers who had made us
We will take control and autonomy from those who created or influenced us in some way.
Leave them nothing to devour, devour
We won't give anyone or anything the opportunity to take advantage of us or bring us down.
Well I am raw material
I am a blank slate, unfinished and open to being shaped and molded.
Make me plastic, make me fuel
Transform me into something flexible or useful.
I can be, I can be
I have the potential to become anything and go in any direction.
I can be all
I have the ability to fully realize my potential and be everything I want to be.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARRIE RACHEL BROWNSTEIN, CORIN LISA TUCKER, JANET LEE WEISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theneedledrop
AMAZING!!!!!!
@ApproachablePancake
antoine fandango approves
@suckLmydick
Ant'ny!
@Harkinless
AMAZING SEVEN
@miscinsanity
bobthony burgtano
@xxawsumrainbowxx
You gave this a 7
@davidraymer397
Still my favorite video ever. There was that feeling when you were a kid that the band was performing just for you in your room.
@Ninja-Knight-808
It’s called VR, or a 360 video.
@jtull89
I never took Tina for a Sleater-Kinney fan, what with her Boyz 4 Now obsession. Glad to see her broaden her horizons.
@auteuress
When I was 14, my first concert was Hanson - quickly followed by Aerosmith. In the same summer. Tina contains multitudes :)