Overview
"Underclass Hero" was written by Deryck Whibley as a theme of "us against them," similar to their previous lyrics. Although "Underclass Hero" is written from a different angle, the song refers prominently to society and the struggle of "high-class versus the underclass" instead of "youth against adults" as in All Killer No Filler. The song also features the more classic punk-rock themes of anti-establishment. This is the theme song for MTV's Crash My School. The song´s intro is often compared to be similar to the band´s previous single Handle This, but with certain modifications in the notes and tuning.
Released-May 15, 2007
Format-CD single, Digital single
Recorded-November 6, 2006 - March 2007
Genre-Pop punk, punk rock
Length-3:16
Label-Island
Writer(s)-Deryck Whibley, Steve Jocz
Producer-Deryck Whibley
Underclass Hero
Sum 41 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I won't be caught living in a dead end job
While praying to my government guns and gods
Now it's us against them
We're here to represent
To spit right in the face of the establishment.
And now i don't believe (ain't got no faith in nothing)
Wasting the youth (while being young and useless)
Speak for yourself (and don't pray for me)
Well because we're doing fine
And we don't need to be told
That we're here doing fine
Cause we won't give you control
And we don't need anything from you
Cause we'll be just fine
And we won't be bought and sold
Just like you
(A call across the underclass)
Calling out loud with no respect
I'm not the one, just another reject
I'm the voice to offend, All those who pretend
Unsung against the grain I'm here to rise against
And now i'm desensitized ( I state my place in nowhere)
Burning the flag (of the degeneration)
Everyone see (the anthem of no future)
Down with the mass (causes we're not listening)
Well because we're doing fine
And we don't need to be told
That we're here doing fine
Cause we won't give you control
And we don't need anything from you
Cause we'll be just fine
And we won't be bought and sold
Just like you
May I have your attention pleaseâ?¦
I pledge allegiance to the underclass as your hero at large.
1, 2, 3, 4
We're the saints of degeneration
We don't owe anyone an explanation
Fuck elitists
We don't need this
We're the elite of the just alright
Well because we're doing fine
And we don't need to be told
That we're here doing fine
Cause we won't give you control
And we don't need anything from you
Cause we'll be just fine
And we won't be bought and sold
Just like you
The song "Underclass Hero" by Sum 41 is a political statement about rejecting conformity and fighting against the establishment. It's a call to action for the younger generation to stand up against the government, guns, and gods, and not to be pigeonholed into dead end jobs. The lyrics are a reminder to take ownership of one's life and destiny, and to not let anyone else control or define them. The song expresses a feeling of disillusionment with society and the powers that be, and a desire for change.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that the underclass doesn't need anyone's permission or approval to live their lives. They're doing just fine and don't require validation or direction from those in power. The lyrics convey a sense of rebellion and a refusal to be bought and sold, just like those in the establishment who seek to control us.
In the bridge, the singer swears allegiance to the underclass as their hero, pledging to stand up against the elitists who think they know what's best. The final lyrics, "We're the elite of the just alright," is a declaration that being okay with being just okay is okay. It's a message to the underclass that they don't need to be perfect to be their own heroes.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I won't be caught living in a dead end job
I refuse to be stuck in an unfulfilling job without purpose or upward mobility
While praying to my government guns and gods
I won't be blindly following the authority of the government or religious institutions
Now it's us against them
I recognize there is a struggle between the common people and those in power
We're here to represent
I am a voice of the underrepresented and forgotten
To spit right in the face of the establishment.
My goal is to challenge and defy the establishment that is keeping us down
And now i don't believe (ain't got no faith in nothing)
I have lost faith in everything, and believe in nothing
Stand on my own (ain't got no sympathy)
I am standing on my own and don't need anyone's sympathy or charity
Wasting the youth (while being young and useless)
I am feeling unproductive and aimless in my youth, wasting the time I have
Speak for yourself (and don't pray for me)
I will speak for myself and don't need anyone's empty words of support or prayer
Well because we're doing fine
We are achieving success in our own way
And we don't need to be told
We are confident in our own abilities and don't need anyone to give us direction
That we're here doing fine
We are here, we are thriving, and we don't need anyone's intervention
Cause we won't give you control
We refuse to be controlled or manipulated
And we don't need anything from you
We are independent and don't require support or handouts from anyone
Cause we'll be just fine
We are capable of handling whatever life throws at us
And we won't be bought and sold
We refuse to be swayed by material possessions or offered incentives
Just like you
We are standing up for ourselves and fighting for what we believe in, just like anyone else would
(A call across the underclass)
I am seeking to unite the disenfranchised and forgotten members of society
Calling out loud with no respect
I am being bold and upfront, with no regard for the opinions of those in power
I'm not the one, just another reject
I am proudly rejecting the mainstream ideals and expectations
I'm the voice to offend, All those who pretend
I am speaking truths that will offend those who are comfortable pretending nothing is wrong
Unsung against the grain I'm here to rise against
I am defying the status quo and climbing up out of the margins of society
And now i'm desensitized (I state my place in nowhere)
I have become numb to my surroundings and feel like I am going nowhere
Burning the flag (of the degeneration)
I am rejecting the symbolic ideals of a society that is in decline
Everyone see (the anthem of no future)
I am creating an anthem for those who feel like they have no future
Down with the mass (causes we're not listening)
I reject the messages and ideals of the masses because they are not listening to me
May I have your attention pleaseâ?¦
I am asking for everyone's attention to hear what I have to say
I pledge allegiance to the underclass as your hero at large.
I am offering myself as a representative and hero for the underclass
We're the saints of degeneration
I am leading a group of people who are actively contributing to the decline of society
We don't owe anyone an explanation
We are confident in our own choices and don't need to explain ourselves to anyone
Fuck elitists
We reject those who think they are above us and refuse to be told we are inferior
We don't need this
We don't need the approval or validation of anyone who thinks they have power over us
We're the elite of the just alright
We are the elite group of those who are just making it by, but that is enough for us
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DERYCK WHIBLEY, DERYCK JASON WHIBLEY, STEPHEN JOCZ, STEVE JOCZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justanuglyboy
Thank you, Sum 41 for giving me such a beautiful youth with your incredible music! Cheers! 🍻
@devilsoffspring5519
I was "old" (over 25) when I first started getting into Sum 41. Great stuff even when you're an old fart :)
@ahmadirsyadadli
Heard this song on the radio alongside Always (blink 182), Why Don't You Get a Job (Offspring) and Song 2 (Blur) last week. One of the few times I enjoyed listening to the radio this year.
@keenansmith6163
Wake up! kwbafbbajbfhjsfhaj make up! Nice name
@grantonrigney9208
They played Always! that suprises me
@donaldjenkins2796
Bro you hit the golden station right there!!
@purpleheart7013
解散だなんて...悲しいよ...
一生愛してるぜsum41
With love from Japan
@nishalynelawai3616
I wanna be in the teenage era again where everyone loves and play these kind of songs. Love the band since my childhood😎😎😎
@bluespy8130
me and you both dude
@BalajiedLyngdoh-xl1fn
Ka dei kein khun, Pop punk and emo forever