The Power Is Yours...
The Redskins Lyrics
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We're so polite
It makes me want to shout
We waive the everything we want
An' take the nothing we already have
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to blow ...
Yet the smallest move
Remains a mile away
So we while away
Going nowhere bit by bit
An' it just seems
We can't get round to gettin' round to it
Sometimes it makes me ache ...
Someone once wrote
All the world's a stage
But the truth comes written somewhat different on my page
I know this script's fixed from the start
Cos ordinary men & women only get
Supporting parts
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to explode
We spend our lives
Waitin' for
Someone other than ourselves
To make a move
We always do
We do
We always blow it
I know
You know
I know you know it but ...
I keep on coming back because
The power is yours
The Power Is Yours by The Redskins is a song that seems to be addressing the daily struggles of the common people. The songwriters portray a sense of injustice in the world brought about by the fact that people are always waiting for something to happen rather than taking action themselves. The opening line, "Let's get this situation sorted out!" can be seen as a call to action. The band members seem to be urging people to stop being so polite and passive, allowing themselves to be walked over just because they don't want to upset anyone. They encourage people to demand what they want rather than waiting for it to come to them.
The lyrics go on to describe the frustration people feel at having everything they need within reach, but not having the motivation to go for it. The smallest move feels like a mile away, and people just while away, going nowhere bit by bit. The songwriters describe this feeling as very painful, but they still keep coming back because the power to change things lies in the hands of the people themselves. They end by encouraging people to take back control of their lives and make a move rather than waiting for someone else to do it for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get this situation sorted out!
We need to resolve this issue as soon as possible!
We're so polite
We are too polite and not assertive enough in expressing our needs.
It makes me want to shout
The politeness frustrates us to the point we want to scream.
We waive the everything we want
We give up on our desires too easily.
An' take the nothing we already have
We settle for less even when we have more potential.
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to blow ...
We are waiting for something significant to happen to motivate us.
All is in reach & as clear as day
Everything is attainable and apparent to us.
Yet the smallest move
Remains a mile away
We struggle to take even the slightest steps towards our goals.
So we while away
Going nowhere bit by bit
We waste our time not making progress towards our objectives.
An' it just seems
We can't get round to gettin' round to it
We are stuck in a loop of procrastination and inaction.
Sometimes it makes me ache ...
This lack of progress and motivation causes an emotional and physical pain.
Someone once wrote
All the world's a stage
People see life as a theatrical performance with roles and expectations.
But the truth comes written somewhat different on my page
However, in reality, our individual experiences of life do not match this grand narrative.
I know this script's fixed from the start
Cos ordinary men & women only get
Supporting parts
We feel like we are not the main characters in our own life story and are restricted by societal norms.
An' I'm waiting on hold
For something to explode
We are waiting for a dramatic event to shake us out of our complacency.
We spend our lives
Waitin' for
Someone other than ourselves
To make a move
We rely on external factors to make changes in our lives rather than taking ownership ourselves.
We always do
We do
We always blow it
We consistently fail to seize opportunities and make positive changes.
I know
You know
I know you know it but ...
We are self-aware of our shortcomings, but still struggle to overcome them.
I keep on coming back because
The power is yours
Despite our struggles, we keep trying because we know the ability to make a change is within us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRIS MOORE, MARTIN BOTTOMLEY, Paul Hookham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Graham
This is just such an amazing song. Tune, lyrics, sentiment and passion. The album is amazing I still don't understand why this band weren't huge like the Jam. Hats off to Chris Dean!
Davide viganò
great band ,great song! Longo live to Redskins!
jdclover
Passion, commitment, songwriting, voice.
therealriscy
Wonderful stuff! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful video and band
Redskins001
'The Power Is Yours' was released as a single and also on the Redskins only album 'Neither Washington Nor Moscow'. Both versions of the song are the same. If there is a different mix of this tune I've yet to hear it. The Yell Leaders did a great cover of this song and their version is available on the Redskins tribute CD 'Reds Strike The Blues'.
Legacy Dark steppa
their sound and message was unique!!
Kay Prout
fabulous band, great men
Joel Gonzalez
Genial! abrazo desde argentina!
sXe Angel
The lyrics still stand today! the tories may be in power, but YOU have the power to vote them out!
Dave & Syla Rees
Amazing!