The Dictators are an American punk rock band from New York City. In 1975, t… Read Full Bio ↴The Dictators are an American punk rock band from New York City. In 1975, they released their first album, 'Go Girl Crazy', making them the first NYC punk band to release an album on a major label. Their infectious version of "California Sun" got a huge response. They are considered, to this day, very influential in the genre's development. The Dictators are represented in the "Punk Wing" of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Steven Van Zandt called them,"The connective tissue between the eras of the MC5, The Stooges, the New York Dolls, and the punk explosion of the mid to late 70's."

Members

Richard Manitoba - lead vocals (1973-2008)
Ross "The Boss" Friedman - lead guitars/backing vocals (1973- 2008)
Scott "Top Ten" Kempner - rhythm guitars (1973-2008)
Andy Shernoff - bass (1973-1975, 1976-2008), keyboards/backing vocals (1973-2008)
Stu Boy King - drums (1974-1975; died 2018)
Ritchie Teeter - drums (1976-1980; died 2012)
Mark Mendoza - bass (1976-1977)
Mel Anderson - drums (1979)
Frank Funaro - drums (1995-1998)
J.P. Patterson - drums (1998-2008)

Discography

Go Girl Crazy (1975)
Manifest Destiny (1977)
Bloodbrothers (1978)
Fuck 'Em If They Can't Take a Joke (ROIR, 1981)
The Dictators Live, New York, New York (ROIR, 1998)
D.F.F.D. (2001)
Viva Dictators (2005)
Every Day Is Saturday (2007)

Faster and Louder
The Dictators Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Faster and louder
I can dance
Faster and louder
I can live
Faster and louder
I'm a man
Faster and louder

Feel the need to express myself
Think I'll form a band and call it Yazoo Squelch
Some say it's an abberation
I know it's my avocation
Step aside and watch me fly
Cause I'm gonna make some noise

I can talk
Faster and louder
I can eat
Faster and louder
I can screw
Faster and louder
I'm a man, I'm a man
Faster and louder

I can scream
Faster and louder
I can jive
Faster and louder
Walk the dog
Faster and louder
Mow the lawn
Faster and louder
Jump back jack!
Faster and louder
Get down Bernice!

Faster and louder
Hot Pants!

Overall Meaning

The Dictators' song Faster and Louder is a rebellious anthem about an artist's frustration with the noise of talk that surrounds them. The artist is young and has a lot to say, but their voice is being drowned out by the constant chatter around them. They are fed up with the situation and want to make some noise, to be heard above the cacophony of words. The artist feels that they can express themselves better through music and desires to form a band, calling it 'Yazoo Squelch'. Some may view this as a deviation, but the artist knows that making music is their calling, and it's time to reach new heights.

The repetitive chorus "Faster and Louder" highlights the urgency and intensity of the artist's desires. They want to play, dance, live, and love "Faster and Louder" because they believe that their voice needs to be heard. The artist is ready to take on the world boldly and confidently, to amplify their message and make a statement. Ready to push the boundaries, the artist is not afraid to be loud and vibrant to get their message across.

Line by Line Meaning

Talk, talk, talk, talk, keeps getting in the way
I'm a young artiste who has so much to say, but talking just gets in the way.

Speaking as a young artiste who has so much to say
I'm a young artiste who has a lot to say and wants to express myself.

So now you know my situation
I hope you can understand my situation.

Understand my aggravation
Please understand that I'm frustrated.

Building up so strong inside
My desire to make some noise and express myself is growing stronger.

Cause I want to make some noise
I want to make some noise and express my creativity.

I can play
I have the ability to play music.

Faster and louder
And I can play it faster and louder than ever before.

I can dance
I can dance to express myself.

I can live
I can live life with more energy and passion.

I'm a man
As a man, I have the power to do these things.

Feel the need to express myself
I have a strong desire to express myself creatively.

Think I'll form a band and call it Yazoo Squelch
I'm going to form a band and give it a cool name like Yazoo Squelch.

Some say it's an abberation
Some people might think forming a band is strange or unusual.

I know it's my avocation
But I know that making music is my true calling.

Step aside and watch me fly
So get out of my way and watch me do my thing.

I can talk
I have the ability to talk.

I can eat
I can eat with more energy and enthusiasm.

I can screw
I can engage in sexual activity with more passion and intensity.

I'm a man, I'm a man
As a man, I have the ability to do these things.

I can scream
I can scream with more power and intensity.

I can jive
I can dance with more energy and enthusiasm.

Walk the dog
I can walk the dog with more energy and enthusiasm.

Mow the lawn
I can mow the lawn with more power and intensity.

Jump back jack!
I can jump with more energy and enthusiasm.

Get down Bernice!
I can dance with more energy and enthusiasm.

Hot Pants!
I'm ready to party with more energy and passion!

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANDREW SHERNOFF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Faster and Louder

The Dictators

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Spiffy Mongo

1y↑1

Talk, talk, talk, talk, keeps getting in the way
Speaking as a young artiste who has so much to say
So now you know my situation
Understand my aggravation
Building up so strong inside
Cause I wanna make some noise

I can play
Faster and louder
I can dance
Faster and louder
I can live
Faster and louder
I'm a man
Faster and louder

Feel the need to express myself
Think I'll form a band and call it Yazoo Squelch
Some say it's an abberation
I know it's my avocation
Step aside and watch me fly
Cause I'm gonna make some noise

I can talk
Faster and louder
I can eat
Faster and louder
I can screw
Faster and louder
I'm a man, I'm a man
Faster and louder

I can scream
Faster and louder
I can jive
Faster and louder
Walk the dog
Faster and louder
Mow the lawn
Faster and louder
Jump back jack!
Faster and louder
Get down Bernice!
Faster and louder
Hot Pants!