Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
Freedom Slaves
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel I got me some damn good reasons for feelin' bad.
Way they take away ev'ry mother's son,
If you want freedom now, it's got to be won.
It's only bullets. It's just a gun.
Ain't gon' hurt no one.
I don't know what they must be thinkin'.
Momma, gon' take your little boy.
Gonna make him 'to a man,
Make him a stranger in a strange land.
[Chorus:]
Freedom slaves
What have you done
Freedom slaves
With ev'ry mother's son?
Freedom slaves
Can't ya see that we're all freedom slaves?
Freedom slaves
What have you done?
Freedom slaves
And all for number one.
Freedom slaves
It's clear to see that we're all freedom slaves.
No sign of justice nor liberty
By takin' an Indian Nation, 'cause they was all that we wanted to be.
All good people from the Kingdom of the Sun.
Welcome to freedom. Now, there's work to be done.
It's only natural to know it's wrong.
Why did it go so long?
I don't know what next they'll be killin',
Rapin' the land with pollution and spillin'.
Here's to the tired, to the hungry, to the helpless and the poor.
Is there no glory for blisters and sores?
[Chorus]
Who are those people?
So patriotically sittin' back of tables
POn their asses, lickin' labels, tryin' to change me.
You'd think the way they act, the way they carry on,
You'd think that I was the devil's Seventh Son.
But it's only words. It's just a song.
Ain't gonna hurt no one.
[Chorus]
Freedom slaves.
Freedom slaves.
Freedom slaves.
Attention!
About Face!
March!
Left, right, left, right, left, right.
Your momma, she was a....(fade out)
The lyrics to Tesla's song Freedom Slaves are a critique of the government and society at large, and their tendency to constantly compromise on values like freedom and justice. The singer pledges no allegiance to the American flag, indicating his disillusionment with the country's leadership and policies. He also expresses that he has valid reasons for feeling bad or upset with the current state of affairs.
The song references the injustices perpetrated against various groups, such as the taking away of Native American lands and conscripting young men who have no say in the matter. The chorus denotes that everyone is a slave to freedom because true freedom has yet to be achieved.
The singer then examines who the real patriots are and the nature of political correctness, which he sarcastically dismisses as merely "licking labels" and trying to change him. The song ends with a military-like chant that fades out, making a statement about the conformity that the powers that be often demand.
Overall, the song seems to be a call for real change, for individuals to stand up for what they believe in and challenge the powers that be when necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
I pledge no allegiance to your flag.
I don't feel loyal to your nation.
I feel I got me some damn good reasons for feelin' bad.
I have valid reasons for being unhappy.
Way they take away ev'ry mother's son, If you want freedom now, it's got to be won.
The government conscripts sons, and we must fight for our freedom.
It's only bullets. It's just a gun. Ain't gon' hurt no one.
Weapons by themselves won't harm anyone.
I don't know what they must be thinkin'. Makin' decisions on a hard night's drinkin'. Momma, gon' take your little boy. Gonna make him 'to a man, Make him a stranger in a strange land.
The government makes choices under the influence of alcohol and sends young men to war, turning them into strangers in foreign lands.
Freedom slaves What have you done Freedom slaves With ev'ry mother's son? Freedom slaves Can't ya see that we're all freedom slaves? Freedom slaves What have you done? Freedom slaves And all for number one. Freedom slaves It's clear to see that we're all freedom slaves.
We sacrifice our freedom and our sons in wars fought for selfish reasons.
No sign of justice nor liberty By takin' an Indian Nation, 'cause they was all that we wanted to be. All good people from the Kingdom of the Sun. Welcome to freedom. Now, there's work to be done. It's only natural to know it's wrong. Why did it go so long?
We took land from Native Americans because we wanted it and talk of justice and liberty is hypocritical. It's only natural to recognize this injustice, so why did it last so long?
I don't know what next they'll be killin', Rapin' the land with pollution and spillin'. Here's to the tired, to the hungry, to the helpless and the poor. Is there no glory for blisters and sores?
We don't know what they (the government) will ruin next with pollution, and the poor and helpless suffer. Is there no respect for hard work?
Who are those people? So patriotically sittin' back of tables POn their asses, lickin' labels, tryin' to change me. You'd think the way they act, the way they carry on, You'd think that I was the devil's Seventh Son. But it's only words. It's just a song. Ain't gonna hurt no one.
People who try to indoctrinate others with their views and labels are neither helpful nor interested in the freedom of the individual. They treat others like the devil and use harmless forms of expression (e.g. songs).
Freedom slaves. Freedom slaves. Freedom slaves.
We are slaves to the concept of freedom.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, KURT WEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher N. Savage
on Getting' Better
A shame that you can't see the original video, but this tune has the passion and power to lift you up and brighten your day!!!!!