The band is best known for their debut single "You Get What You Give", which became a top 5 hit in the United Kingdom and whose lyrics, which insulted celebrities at the end of the song, provided a minor media spectacle.[4][5] Tired of touring and promotional interviews, Alexander disbanded the group in mid-1999 before the release of their second single, "Someday We'll Know", to focus on writing and producing songs for other artists. As a result, "Someday We'll Know" received little attention in most countries and the band is widely considered a one-hit wonder. "Someday We'll Know" did however go on to be covered by Hall & Oates on their 2003 album Do It For Love.
flowers
The New Radicals Lyrics
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They're nine to seven
Why aren't things wild?
You said you was a flower child
I can respect your soul searching
But now's no time for questioning
I'm sure you've been misled before
But I'm everything I claim to be
You just need vodka and honesty?
Do you know who I am
Do you know who I am
My love is real
As real as the flowers you smoke to get high
My love is real
As real as our God who has spoken on how we can fly
My love is real
As real as flowers
You're 22
Why aren't you free?
You're mom and daddies victory
A soul that's lived a thousand lives
Don't hide behind child's eyes
I'm sure you've been misled before
And once you'd trust they'd slam the door
But I'm everything I claim to be
You just need vodka and LSD?
Do you know who I am?
Do you know who I am?
My love is real
As real as flowers
I love you, you hate me
I took math class, that ain't a fair exchange
I call you, you hang up
Don't have to be a bitch and have your number changed
I'm sorry, forgive me
I never meant to call you those names
But I'm lonely, so lonely, please
The song "Flowers" by The New Radicals is a melancholic yet reflective piece that describes a generational gap between a flower child and a younger individual. The song opens with the question, "Why aren't things wild?" which can be interpreted as a longing for the freedom and rebelliousness of previous decades. The flower child is encouraged to keep searching for their soul but not to question the state of things at the present moment.
The lyrics suggest that the flower child may have been deceived in the past, and this has resulted in a lack of trust. However, the singer assures them that they are everything they claim to be, leaving no room for skepticism. The chorus of the song provides an analogy for the singer's love being as real as flowers, which is a symbol of the ephemeral nature of life.
As the song continues, the singer acknowledges that the younger person they are addressing is 22, but they are not free from their parents' victory. The flower child is described as someone who has lived a thousand lives, and they are urged not to hide behind a child's eyes. The singer once again reassures the young person that they are sincere in their claims and offers honesty and even LSD as a means of connecting with them.
In conclusion, "Flowers" by The New Radicals is a heartfelt conversation between two individuals, a flower child and a younger person, trying to bridge the gap and connect with each other. The song is reflective, melancholic, and a tribute to the freedom of past generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Our lives? They're nine to seven
Our lives are filled with work and obligations from nine in the morning until seven at night
Why aren't things wild?
Why can't life be more exciting and unpredictable?
You said you was a flower child
You claim to embody the principles and values of the 1960s counterculture movement
I can respect your soul searching
I understand and can appreciate your introspective journey
But now's no time for questioning
However, we can't waste time pondering and must take action now
I'm sure you've been misled before
I understand that you've likely been deceived in the past
And once you'd trust they'd slam the door
And it seems like every time you trust someone, they betray you
But I'm everything I claim to be
But I can assure you that I am genuine and authentic
You just need vodka and honesty?
All you need is some alcohol and candidness to let your guard down and trust me
Do you know who I am
Do you truly understand my character and intentions?
My love is real
My love for you is sincere and genuine
As real as the flowers you smoke to get high
Just as real as the psychedelic experiences you seek through drug use
As real as our God who has spoken on how we can fly
As legitimate as the spiritual revelation that we can rise above our earthly limits
You're 22
You're young and just starting to discover who you are
Why aren't you free?
Why do you let societal expectations and norms restrict your true nature?
You're mom and daddies victory
You're the embodiment of your parents' success and aspirations
A soul that's lived a thousand lives
You have a deep and diverse inner life that transcends your current circumstances
Don't hide behind child's eyes
Don't let your youthful naivete and limited perspective blind you from the truth of who you are
But I'm everything I claim to be
I am genuinely who I say I am
You just need vodka and LSD?
All you need is some alcohol and hallucinogens to let go and be open to new experiences
Do you know who I am?
Do you really understand and accept me for who I am?
My love is real
My love for you is genuine
As real as flowers
As genuine as the beauty and fragility of nature
I love you, you hate me
I have deep feelings of affection for you, while you may feel resentment towards me
I took math class, that ain't a fair exchange
I made an effort to better myself by taking an academic course, but that doesn't necessarily make up for our emotional distance
I call you, you hang up
I try to reach out to you, but you reject me
Don't have to be a bitch and have your number changed
You don't have to be rude by changing your phone number and avoiding me altogether
I'm sorry, forgive me
I acknowledge my mistakes and apologize to you
I never meant to call you those names
I didn't intend to insult or hurt you with my words
But I'm lonely, so lonely, please
But I am isolated and in need of human connection and hope that you can provide it for me
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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