1) The Broadways were … Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) The Broadways were a punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group formed in 1996 after the break-up of ska-punk band Slapstick, with their vocalist Brendan Kelly and trumpet player Dan Hanaway combining with Rob DePaola and Tricky Dick guitarist Chris McCaughan.
Musically, The Broadways frequently drew comparisons to Crimpshrine and Jawbreaker. The band is notable for the intelligent political, social, and introspective nature of their lyrics, as well as their complex, non-traditional song structures and above-average punk musicianship.
The band released Broken Star in 1998 on Asian Man Records before breaking up the same year. After the breakup, Kelly and McCaughan formed The Lawrence Arms, while Hanaway and DePaola started The Honor System. A collection of unreleased material and songs collected from their EPs was released posthumously in 2000 as Broken Van.
2) The Broadways were a R&B band from the mid-60's. Line up: Ronnie Coleman, Billy Brown, Leon Trent, Moe . They originally recorded as The Uniques but as The Broadways they released a couple of singles on MGM which are much prized by the Northern Soul fraternity. Billy Brown went on to become a member of The Moments. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFj5GwfqrtU
3) The Broadways are band from West London. They released their debut single 'Just A Dreamy Day' through New Slang Records of Kingston in Novemeber 2007 and it reached number 6 in the UK Indie Charts. The are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album 'Greetings From The Broadway' with Arctic Monkeys producer Alan Smythe for release in Japan in August. For listeners of The Metros, The Clash and The Hold Steady. www.myspace.com/broadwaysuk
Not Necessarily the News
The Broadways Lyrics
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Accept your poisoning
Subdued by news, cops, or slogans
So it ain't perfect but I heard this land is free
But who's so free these days? Not the children who barely eat
But you probably won't find them on the cover of Newsweek
Thrown in a sea of green, if you're rich then you'll stay afloat
150,000 walked the streets today
That's 150,000 good reasons to scream
But our brainwashed minds are hardened, hands
Work and die to keep America rolling
Fabricated crime stats rise, 100,000 new police
They don't care about people, just profitable prisons
Drop a bomb every now and then, build obedience, patriotism
Too bad the bombs are pointed at civilians
Just like you and me, only overseas, problems at home remain
Murder used to boost the economy
Their gleaming smiles help keep you proud
Forget, smile, bow your head down
Stop, admit that you're killing us
Who are you giving all your trust?
Breaking your back, is that what freedom really costs?
Freedom isn't begging for your food
How can you tear down the homes where we live and build condominiums?
They've got a clean up crew and the 5:00 news to reinforce it
Pulling sheets over the sheep's heads
Blame the poor, call them bums and thieves, but do you know who are the real thieves?
White upper class steal everything to maintain this class elite
They've got us seeing green
Food and clothing are not privileges, they're necessities, don't believe the TV
It's thought control brought to you by NBC
The Broadways' song "Not Necessarily the News" paints a vivid picture of the state of America in the early 2000s, where a lot of Americans have become desensitized to the reality of their current condition. The song highlights how the media plays a critical role in shaping people's thoughts, influencing their actions, and feeding them with lies. The lyrics challenge the listener to stop accepting everything that they are being fed and to start taking action.
The opening lines urge the listener to "fall asleep in your TV room," where they are being "poisoned" by news, slogans, and cops. The notion of "it ain't perfect, but I heard this land is free" is a stark contrast to the reality that the song illustrates. The children who barely eat highlight the dire situation and how the government is failing them. The mention of the rich staying afloat is a clear division between the rich and the poor. The chorus repeats the words, "Hey, I'm fucking drowning," which reiterates the idea of feeling helpless and oppressed.
The song also addresses issues such as the rise of fabricated crime stats, the growth of police forces, and how bombs dropped overseas affect civilians just like Americans. The lyrics suggest that Americans are becoming brainwashed and hardened, and they are working themselves to death to keep the country's economy going. Although Americans are aware of these issues, they are still forced to smile, forget, and hide them.
Overall, "Not Necessarily the News" warns its listeners to stop taking everything that they hear and see on the media, and to start taking action to create a better future for themselves and for the generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Fall asleep in your TV room
Get lost in the television to forget about the world around you
Accept your poisoning
Become complacent with the negative influence of the media
Subdued by news, cops, or slogans
Feeling powerless against the constant barrage of negative news, police brutality, and propaganda
So it ain't perfect but I heard this land is free
Despite challenges, America is supposed to be a land of freedom for all
But who's so free these days? Not the children who barely eat
The children without basic necessities cannot truly experience freedom
But you probably won't find them on the cover of Newsweek
The media ignores the struggles of the impoverished
Thrown in a sea of green, if you're rich then you'll stay afloat
The wealthy have advantages that allow them to succeed while others struggle
Hey, I'm fucking drowning
Expressing the feeling of being overwhelmed and struggling to survive
150,000 walked the streets today
A large number of people are protesting for change
That's 150,000 good reasons to scream
A significant amount of people are demanding change to the current state of society
But our brainwashed minds are hardened, hands
People are conditioned to accept the status quo and do nothing to enact change
Work and die to keep America rolling
The working class keeps the country running, but are not valued or respected
Fabricated crime stats rise, 100,000 new police
The government manipulates data to make it appear as if crime is rising, resulting in an increase in police presence
They don't care about people, just profitable prisons
Prisons are seen as a commodity to be exploited for profit rather than a place for rehabilitation
Drop a bomb every now and then, build obedience, patriotism
Using violence to maintain control and allegiance to the government
Too bad the bombs are pointed at civilians
Innocent people suffer from the government's destructive actions
Just like you and me, only overseas, problems at home remain
People in other countries face similar issues as those in America
Murder used to boost the economy
War and violence are seen as profitable enterprises
Their gleaming smiles help keep you proud
The government uses propaganda to create a sense of pride in its citizens
Forget, smile, bow your head down
People are expected to forget their problems and be content with the status quo
Stop, admit that you're killing us
Demand accountability for actions that harm the populace
Who are you giving all your trust?
Question the motives of those in power
Breaking your back, is that what freedom really costs?
Question the value of working hard if it does not lead to true freedom and equality
Freedom isn't begging for your food
True freedom means having basic needs met without the need to rely on others for survival
How can you tear down the homes where we live and build condominiums?
Question the displacement of communities in favor of gentrification and urban development
They've got a clean up crew and the 5:00 news to reinforce it
The government controls the narrative and manipulates the media to support their actions
Pulling sheets over the sheep's heads
The government leads people along like sheep, hiding the truth
Blame the poor, call them bums and thieves, but do you know who are the real thieves?
The government and wealthy elite are the ones stealing from the poor
White upper class steal everything to maintain this class elite
The wealthy elite use their power to accumulate wealth at the expense of others
They've got us seeing green
The wealthy hold all the power and manipulate the populace with the promise of financial gain
Food and clothing are not privileges, they're necessities, don't believe the TV
Basic needs should be seen as necessary realities, not luxuries advertised on television
It's thought control brought to you by NBC
The media is used to control the thoughts and actions of the public
Contributed by Jacob O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
decadepast decadepast
I see. Looks like good taste in music runs in the family for you. Wish I could say the same for myself. lol
decadepast decadepast
You have really good taste.
decadepast decadepast
Yea but intelligent politically motivated underground punk music is really kind of an esoteric thing. Did you find out about these guys from the reunion show they played at riot fest this year?
decadepast decadepast
Oh yea Mike's label. But that still begs the question...How did you become exposed to this kind of music?
Chin Lizzy
erin hill u are a girl and like this? marry me. i live in germany . merry me