Strike Anywhere is a political band, with lyrics touching on such issues as police brutality, anarchism, anti-capitalism, women's rights, animal rights, and globalization. They have also contributed tracks to political benefit albums, such as a live version of "Sunset on 32nd" for 1157 Wheeler Avenue: A Memorial for Amadou Diallo and "To the World" for the Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 album. According to the liner notes for their album Change is a Sound, they support "the vegetarian lifestyle, the living wage movement, and the fight against corporate globalization".
Current Members:
* Thomas Barnett - Vocals
* Matt Smith - Guitar/Vocals
* Garth Petrie - Bass
* Eric Kane - Drums
* Mark Miller - Guitar/Vocals
Former:
* Matt Sherwood - Guitar/Vocals (1999-2007)
Spectacular
Strike Anywhere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too big, suspended two dimensional glory
In competition, watch your suicide clothes
Flat screen targets, sweat shop fashion
My love, my love is bleeding out and
My love, my love is keeping doubt for
All this processed hatred from the heart's eye
Burning their beauty from your face
In plastic we rust
One bomb for them
Another one for us
So wipe the smell of the bourgeoisie off me
And wash the billboard bus stop benches, imprisoned, you'll see
Caught in the act resist this dying, bloody
Model citizen lobotomy
Burning their beauty from your face
In plastic we rust
One bomb for them
Another one for us
Burning the time to say I'm sorry
Annihilate
One bomb for them
Another one for us
With the lights out, would you be there?
Would you walk the words off camera?
Run beside me
Turning isolation
Into family, would you be there?
Would you walk the words and open stitches?
Don't follow, run beside me
'Till we stand still and the world moves over
In "Spectacular," Strike Anywhere tackles the pervasive influence of capitalism on modern society, particularly in regards to the fashion industry. The opening verse highlights the superficiality and lack of substance in the image-focused culture, criticizing the competition to be "blank and pretty" and the pressure to conform to a flat, screen-ready aesthetic. The second verse turns to the toll this takes on human connections and emotions, as love and doubt are drained away by the constant barrage of processed, manufactured hatred. The chorus reflects the violent backlash of this system, with "one bomb for them, another one for us" suggesting that resistance and destruction are the only ways out. The third verse continues the theme of resisting societal pressures, calling for a figurative "lobotomy" of the "model citizen" mentality. The repetition of "burning their beauty from your face" reinforces the rage and urgency of the message.
The fourth verse, which begins with the titular phrase "with the lights out," shifts the tone and perspective slightly. Here, the focus is on connection and community, as the singer asks if a hypothetical "you" would be there when things get difficult. The idea of "walking the words off camera" implies a willingness to speak honestly and openly, even when it's not easy or pleasant. The final lines "run beside me/turning isolation into family" contrast the isolation and competition of the earlier lyrics, emphasizing the importance of togetherness and mutual support. The final repetition of "another one for us" suggests hope for a different future, even as the song acknowledges the high cost of revolution.
Line by Line Meaning
I ought to know I'm not so blank and pretty
I am aware that I am not just a mere appearance or facade
Too big, suspended two dimensional glory
My perceived image has been amplified beyond reality
In competition, watch your suicide clothes
When competing, be cautious not to submit to the societal pressures that lead to self-destruction
Flat screen targets, sweat shop fashion
The mainstream media creates unrealistic ideals while exploiting underpaid workers
My love, my love is bleeding out and
I am losing the love that I hold dear
My love, my love is keeping doubt for
My love is causing me to question its own existence
All this processed hatred from the heart's eye
Hatred towards others is being manufactured and accepted by society
Model citizen, no alibi
The perceived perfect citizen has no excuse for their unjust actions
Burning their beauty from your face
Rejecting the superficial standards placed on appearances
In plastic we rust
Our reliance on material possessions magnifies our moral decay
One bomb for them
The same violence we condemn others for, we partake in
Another one for us
Our violent actions contribute to our own destruction
So wipe the smell of the bourgeoisie off me
Removing the stench of elitism from my persona
And wash the billboard bus stop benches, imprisoned, you'll see
Cleaning the advertisements that subliminally oppress us
Caught in the act resist this dying, bloody
Fighting against society's infliction of harm and death
Model citizen lobotomy
The perfect citizen has been brainwashed and stripped of their individuality
Burning the time to say I'm sorry
Refusing to apologize for past wrongs and repeating our violent tendencies
Annihilate
Destroying everything in our path
One bomb for them
Justifying our violent actions as retaliation against others' violence
Another one for us
Reinforcing our own destruction with more violence
With the lights out, would you be there?
If all that is left is darkness, would you still support me?
Would you walk the words off camera?
Can we act beyond what society has deemed acceptable or normal?
Run beside me
Join me in this fight against injustice
Turning isolation into family, would you be there?
Can we create an inclusive community out of loneliness?
Would you walk the words and open stitches?
Can we reject the superficial standards and reveal our true selves?
Don't follow, run beside me
Don't mindlessly conform, but stand with me against oppression
'Till we stand still and the world moves over
Together, we can create lasting change and move beyond the societal paradigm
Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
petardinho
The title says everything... Spectacular and awesome song
chokevic
powerful.
Lukas B.
No probs mate. ;]]
Lukas B.
Telling the people you love and the world around you that your beauty and your uniqueness is important, and not to homogenize yourself into this Habitrail of spending money on your appearance and feeling horrible and compromising your values and your peace because of the bus benches and the billboards and reality shows and entertainment-culture bullshit
Lukas B.
Seeing the unbelievable, blessed world that emanates from Southern California — but has also infected the whole planet: advertising, body image.
Philsaccountable
I think its 'blank', not 'black'.
Lukas B.
Dunno, but about song he said this: