Steven Page is a singer-songwriter who was born in 1970 in Scarborough, Ont… Read Full Bio ↴Steven Page is a singer-songwriter who was born in 1970 in Scarborough, Ontario. Page was the co-frontman (along with Ed Robertson) for Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies from the group's inception in 1988 until February 2009, his work with the group receiving international critical acclaim. Steve left the band amicably to pursue other opportunities including solo projects and theatrical opportunities, a prominent example being the musical effort The Vanity Project.

In 2005, he released a solo album that involved collaborating with Lilac Time member and original Duran Duran singer Stephen "Tintin" Duffy under that name. In 2008, he also notably performed a concert of cover songs with "The Art of Time Ensemble" in Toronto. A studio album featuring the songs performed live with the ensemble came out in 2010. As well, Page wrote music for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the summer of 2009. Page has perhaps gotten the most attention under his own name for his solo album 'Page One', a 2010 release that earned acclaim from several music critics.

In 2012, he released an EP called A Different Sort of Solitude. In 2016, he released his first full length studio album since 2010, Heal Thyself, Part I: Instinct. He followed it in 2018 with a sequel-of-sorts, Discipline: Heal Thyself, Pt II. In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, he released a single called Isolation, and has been doing weekly "Live From Home" concerts streaming from his basement.

White Noise
Steven Page Lyrics

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Shits about to get nice
Shits about to get real fuckin nice
Right now
Right now

Don′t it make you smell with pride
To learn there's bigotry on many sides?

White noise
Oh yeah
White Noise
Oh yeah

Apparently, to fix your nation
You′ve got to run it like a corporation
The kind you don't mind burning to the ground

I've had to learn to bite my tongue
Or they′ll send me back where I came from
I′ll tell you as an immigrant and a Jew
I'd be more than glad to replace you

Throw away the Bill of Rights
For anyone who isn′t white

White noise
Right now
White noise
Right now

Lets have a second Civil War (Lets have a second Civil War)
That's what the second amendment′s for

White noise
Oh yeah
White noise
Oh yeah

Said the snowflake to the nationalist
"I won't cease ′til you desist
You raise your flag
I raise my fist
Resist
Resist
Resist"

(Resist)

I've had to learn to bite my tongue
Or they'll send me back where I came from
I′ll tell you as an immigrant and a Jew
I′d be more than glad to replace you

White noise
White noise
White noise

White noise
White noise

Overall Meaning

The song "White Noise" by Steven Page can be interpreted as a commentary on the current state of politics and social issues in America. The opening lines "Shits about to get nice" and "Shits about to get real fuckin nice" suggest a sarcastic and bitter tone, indicating that the upcoming events will not be pleasant or enjoyable. The next line "Don't it make you smell with pride/To learn there's bigotry on many sides?" brings attention to the issue of bigotry and discrimination, and the fact that it is not limited to one side, but rather prevalent across society.

The chorus "White noise/Oh yeah/White Noise/Oh yeah" can be seen as a representation of the overwhelming amount of meaningless noise and distractions in our society that are preventing us from acknowledging and addressing important social issues. The subsequent lines "Apparently, to fix your nation/You've got to run it like a corporation/The kind you don't mind burning to the ground" criticize the idea that running a country can be treated like running a business, and the disregard for the consequences and impact on people's lives.

The song also touches on immigration and the struggle of being an immigrant in America. The lines "I've had to learn to bite my tongue/Or they'll send me back where I came from/I'll tell you as an immigrant and a Jew/I'd be more than glad to replace you" highlight the need for empathy and understanding towards immigrants, and the fact that they too have a place in America. The song concludes with the lines "Said the snowflake to the nationalist/'I won't cease 'til you desist/You raise your flag/I raise my fist/Resist/Resist/Resist'", which can be interpreted as a call to action for those who oppose bigotry and discrimination, to stand up and resist.

Line by Line Meaning

Shits about to get nice
Things are about to become pleasant or enjoyable.

Shits about to get real fuckin nice
Things are going to be extremely enjoyable.

Right now
At this present moment.

Don’t it make you smell with pride
Isn't it satisfying to know that there is prejudice present on multiple sides?

To learn there's bigotry on many sides?
Discovering that discrimination exists in various groups can be gratifying.

White noise
The sound of static or background noise, which can be used here to symbolize overwhelming or meaningless information.

Oh yeah
An exclamation used to confirm or emphasize a point.

Apparently, to fix your nation
It seems that in order to rectify and improve one's country,

You’ve got to run it like a corporation
systematically managing it like a business must be implemented.

The kind you don’t mind burning to the ground
The kind of corporation that you are willing to completely destroy, either because it has become too corrupted or because you deem it to be too problematic.

I’ve had to learn to bite my tongue
I had to learn to stay quiet or refrain from speaking my mind.

Or they’ll send me back where I came from
If I don't comply with their standards or beliefs, I may be forced to return to my country of origin.

I’ll tell you as an immigrant and a Jew
As someone who has immigrated to a new country, specifically as a Jewish person,

I’d be more than glad to replace you
I would eagerly and willingly take your place.

Throw away the Bill of Rights
To discard the fundamental rights and freedoms outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

For anyone who isn’t white
For any non-white individuals.

Let's have a second Civil War (Let’s have a second Civil War)
It is suggested that we initiate another civil war.

That’s what the second amendment’s for
The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which deals with the right to bear arms, is implied to allow us to engage in armed conflict.

Said the snowflake to the nationalist
A snowflake, referring to someone who is overly sensitive, confronts a nationalist, a proponent of extreme patriotism.

“I won’t cease until you desist
I won't give up until you stop your actions.

You raise your flag
You display your symbol of nationalism.

I raise my fist
I raise my hand in protest, opposition, or defiance.

Resist
A call to reject or oppose something using peaceful or non-peaceful means.

White noise
The sound of static or background noise, which can be used here to symbolize overwhelming or meaningless information.