All three of the band's albums were released on Johnson's influential Olympia record label, K Records.
Following a hiatus through the early 2000's, The Halo Benders reformed in March 2007 for a pair of shows at the Visual Arts Collective in Boise, ID. The band featured Doug Martsch, Ralf Youtz, Calvin Johnson, and Brett Netson.
The Halo Benders' music is characterised by untraditional sounds, movements, and song structures. Additionally, the vocals of the baritone Johnson and the pitchy Martsch overlap often, even though often entirely unrelated. Johnson has said that the two write lyrics for songs largely independently.
Freedom Ride
The Halo Benders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's give a boot to the back seat drivers
Boot Hill bossanova
Holda (')
Rippin off jocks
Flippin off cops
Nippin on toxic rocket fuel
Tanka (')
Let's ride ride ride
To the soul deep side
Booster rocket overdrive
You decide
Freedom ride
69 to 5
Who's commiting the crime'
These are the times
She's got a ticket to mess your mind
Freedom riders
Let it ride
Ride ride ride
To the soul deep side
Rocket science in overdrive
You decide
Freedom ride
Come on freedom riders
Give me some skin
Give me some truth
Give me some crap
Whatever's driving you crazy
And let it loose
Turn it loose
Freedom ride ride ride
Skip to lunch and
Patton hit your stride (eh')
You decide
Freedom ride
The song "Freedom Ride" by The Halo Benders is a high-energy and rebellious anthem that encourages listeners to embrace their freedom and let loose. The lyrics are full of references to youth rebellion and counterculture, including lines like "Flippin off cops" and "Rippin off jocks." The song begins with a call to action for "Freedom riders," urging them to "give a boot to the back seat drivers" and embrace their individuality.
In the chorus, the lyrics take on a more abstract and philosophical tone as they encourage listeners to ride "to the soul deep side" and "let it loose." The repeated refrain of "Freedom ride ride ride" adds to the song's sense of urgency and excitement. The lyrics also reference the idea of breaking free from societal norms and expectations, as seen in lines like "Who's committing the crime?" and "Whatever's driving you crazy / And let it loose."
Overall, "Freedom Ride" is a powerful and energetic ode to rebellion and individuality, with lyrics that encourage listeners to embrace their freedom and break free from societal constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom riders
Addressing the individuals fighting for freedom
Let's give a boot to the back seat drivers
Let's get rid of people who are not actively contributing to our cause
Boot Hill bossanova
Describing the rhythm of the ride
Holda ('), Rippin off jocks, Flippin off cops, Nippin on toxic rocket fuel, Tanka (')
Expressing a rebellious attitude towards authority and society's norms
Let's ride ride ride To the soul deep side Booster rocket overdrive You decide Freedom ride
Encouraging the riders to go all out and make their own choices for freedom
69 to 5 Who's committing the crime' These are the times She's got a ticket to mess your mind
Questioning the authorities who are labeling the freedom riders as criminals and acknowledging the risks involved in fighting for freedom
Let it ride Ride ride ride To the soul deep side Rocket science in overdrive You decide Freedom ride
Encouraging the riders to let loose and take risks to achieve freedom
Come on freedom riders Give me some skin Give me some truth Give me some crap Whatever's driving you crazy And let it loose Turn it loose
Asking the riders to be honest about what is driving them and to use that energy to propel them forward
Freedom ride ride ride Skip to lunch and Patton hit your stride (eh') You decide Freedom ride
Emphasizing that the riders are in control of their own destiny and urging them to keep riding towards freedom despite the challenges
Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.