The Flaming Lips are known for their lush, multi-layered arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which typically feature animal suits, puppets, streamers, video projections and complex stage light configurations.
In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die". In 2006, Oklahoma City named a street Flaming Lips Alley in their honor.
The group recorded several albums and EPs for Restless Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they scored a #9 hit on the Billboard Alternative charts (and #55 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart) in 1994 with "She Don't Use Jelly". Although it would be their only hit single, the band has maintained critical respect and, to a lesser extent, commercial viability with sonically majestic albums such as 1995's Clouds Taste Metallic, 1999's The Soft Bulletin, 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and 2006's At War with the Mystics. The Flaming Lips' 12th studio album, Embryonic, was released in October of 2009. A complete cover of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon was released in May 2010. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, their collaborative album which features artists like Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave and Erykah Badu, was released on Record Store Day, April 2012.
Their next studio album, tentatively titled The Terror, will be released in January 2013.
Their song "Do You Realize??" is the official State Rock Song of Oklahoma.
www.flaminglips.com
Free Radicals Explained
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think you ought to stop
Say what?
But you're going international
They're gonna call the cops
Oh no no
You're turning into
A poor man's Donald Trump
Oh no
You think you're radical
But you're not so radical
In fact you're fanatical
Fanatical
You think you're radical
But you're not so radical
In fact you're fanatical, fanatical
I'll tell you right now (right now), you ought to change your mind (yes)
All of your friends are (uh huh) standin' in a line
They're getting tired of your attitude fast, oh
(You better lose it, you better lose it)
Without all your bodyguards, how long would you last?
(Not long, not long)
You think you're radical
But you're not so radical
In fact you're fanatical
Fanatical
And you think you're radical
But you're not so radical
In fact you're fanatical
Fanatical
And you think you're radical
But you're not so radical
In fact you're fanatical
Fanatical
The song "Free Radicals" by The Flaming Lips is a political commentary on the state of the world and the rise of radicals in society. The lyrics criticize those who think they are radicals but are actually fanatics, who are becoming increasingly influential and extreme in their beliefs. The song advises these radicals to change their ways and warns them that their behavior will eventually lead to trouble with the law and the loss of their supporters.
The opening lines of the song address the notion that some people believe they are radical when they are not. The singer suggests that these people should stop believing in their own hype and warns them that their actions will eventually catch up with them. The line, "You're turning into a poor man's Donald Trump," equates the desire for fame and money with the kind of beliefs that lead to fanatical behavior. The song cautions that these circumstances can lead to desperation and extreme actions in order to gain power and influence.
The chorus of the song repeats the message that the so-called radicals are actually fanatical and that they need to change their ways. The audience is advised that their attitude is wearing thin with their followers and that without their supporters, they would not last long. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, urging the fanatics to reconsider their behavior and beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
You think you're so radical
You believe your actions and beliefs are extreme and revolutionary
I think you ought to stop
I think you need to reassess and reconsider your behavior
Say what?
Can you repeat what you just said?/I don't understand
But you're going international
Your behavior is spreading globally
They're gonna call the cops
Your actions are unlawful and will be reported to the authorities
Oh no no
Expressing concern for the situation
You're turning into
You are changing into
A poor man's Donald Trump
You are becoming like a less wealthy and powerful version of Donald Trump
I know those circumstances make you wanna jump
I understand that your situation may make you want to act rashly
Oh no
Expressing concern for the situation
You think you're radical
You believe your actions and beliefs are extreme and revolutionary
But you're not so radical
In reality, your actions and beliefs are not as extreme or revolutionary as you think
In fact you're fanatical
In reality, you are obsessively devoted to your beliefs or ideas
Fanatical
Obsessively devoted to your beliefs or ideas
I'll tell you right now (right now), you ought to change your mind (yes)
I want to advise you to change your beliefs and behavior
All of your friends are (uh huh) standin' in a line
Your behavior has caused all of your friends to stand in solidarity against you
They're getting tired of your attitude fast, oh
Your friends are quickly becoming exhausted with your behavior
(You better lose it, you better lose it)
A warning that you need to change your behavior
Without all your bodyguards, how long would you last?
You rely on your bodyguards for protection, without them, you may not survive long
(Not long, not long)
Expressing that you would not survive long without your bodyguards
And you think you're radical
You believe your actions and beliefs are extreme and revolutionary
But you're not so radical
In reality, your actions and beliefs are not as extreme or revolutionary as you think
In fact you're fanatical
In reality, you are obsessively devoted to your beliefs or ideas
Fanatical
Obsessively devoted to your beliefs or ideas
And you think you're radical
You believe your actions and beliefs are extreme and revolutionary
But you're not so radical
In reality, your actions and beliefs are not as extreme or revolutionary as you think
In fact you're fanatical
In reality, you are obsessively devoted to your beliefs or ideas
Fanatical
Obsessively devoted to your beliefs or ideas
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WAYNE COYNE, STEVEN DROZD, MICHAEL IVINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind