[1] The… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists who have gone by The Supertones.
[1] The O.C. Supertones (a.k.a. The Supertones) were a Christian ska band hailing from Orange County, California. The O.C. stands for Orange County and was formally used to differentiate them from another group, but they generally were referred to as The Supertones by fans and publicity, especially as of their second album. The band was formerly signed to Tooth & Nail Records before becoming an independent band for its final tour. Beginning with a more traditional ska sound, the Supertones moved next to a harder rock sound, which eventually changed again with more of a pop-rock influence.
The band began in the early 1990s as Saved. Originally formed by Matt Morginsky, Jason Carson and Tony Terusa while in Junior High School, the band played a mix of many styles including punk, rap, metal, disco, and funk. In 1995 they formed as The Orange County Supertones and settled on a ska based sound.
In the late 1990s The Supertones achieved wide popularity in the Christian and secular community. Their second album, 1997's release Supertones Strike Back, was a surprise smash hit, peaking on both Billboard's Heatseekers and Top Christian Albums charts at 3 and 2 respectively. Beginning with a more traditional ska sound, The Supertones moved next to a harder rock sound, which eventually changed again with more of a pop-rock influence. Their next two albums, 1999's Chase the Sun and 2000's Loud and Clear, each charted on the Billboard 200 chart. They continued to release albums until 2005, at which point they went on indefinite hiatus. This ended when they reunited for some shows in 2010. Since then they have had stints in 2012 and 2017, performing various reunion and anniversary shows. Their 2017 commemoration of the 20th anniversary of their most well-received album "Supertones Strike Back" was presented as a definitive "final show".
[2] The Supertones are an "instrumental surf" band from NYC active since 1988. They have released at least 12 albums.
Revolution Return Of The Revolution
The Supertones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to say that from the outset
Not up in this business just to get what we can get
But bet that
We gonna bring it to you loud and clear
How loud do I got to say it before you people start to hear?
I could name a problem
But I know a solution
The revolution comes and we all stand as one
Rises from the darkness and shines like the sun
As the sun gets higher , our church catches fire
Down from our our pride and up from the mine
It's a dream that I've had and I hope it comes true
I forgot to say the revolution starts with you
See wisdom and knowledge is one thing that we lack
You've been a Christian how long and you're still on Similac
So I call on Martin Luther and all the reformation back
Then the common people couldn't read God's revelation
You had to be a monk or a priest or read Latin
That was all before the revolution happened
But the fire cooled down ever since that generation
We put down the Bible and pick up playstation
And we can't defend our faith 'cause we don't know
We say we love His word but pick a funny way to show it
The world walks by and we don't have a thing to say
I call 'em as I see 'em
And that's what I see today
Chorus:
The revolution returns
The reformation lives on
The great awaking is now
Sleepers open your eyes
A war is on, our rally cry is no compromise
No compromise, yeah, no compromise
A war is on, our battle is no compromise
So throw your fist up and pray the revolution rise
A war is on, our rally is no compromise
Our hearts have grown so cold
And we've such numb souls
But shirts and bumper stickers
Man we got 'em by the truckload
Is true religion what you have around your wrist
What does the scripture say of this
They honor me with words
But their hearts are far away
I call 'em like I see 'em
And that's what I see today
So I call on John Edwards
Who preached us all awake
We try to be emotional but here is our mistake
As a church we lack receptance and we lack true affection
Not only in our minds but in our hearts need correction
And man that's true religion, resignation and contrition
To love each other so much that'd we die before division
(Chorus)
So what about you
Will you join us?
Will you admit that the waters around us have grown
You better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone
Do you stand with us or do we stand alone
It's time that we stand up, enlist for war
I've tasted battle and now I want more
I've known the truth and been cut to the core
But I'm back in the game to even the score
And I mean to go out with both my guns blazing
Amazed at a God who's truly amazing
To triumph in battle as the spirit enables
Can't turn back the clock but we can turn the tables
(Chorus)
The Supertones, in their song Revolution Return Of The Revolution, express their desire for a revival in Christianity. They believe that the current generation lacks wisdom and knowledge of the Bible and that the Christian faith has become watered down. The Supertones are calling for a return to the spirit of the Reformation, when common people were given the opportunity to read the Bible for themselves and understand God's revelation.
The lyrics say that the revolution starts with individuals taking responsibility for their own faith and standing together as a united front. They urge Christians to stop being passive and to stand up for their beliefs with no compromise. They criticize the trend of using apparel and merchandise to display faith rather than genuinely living out the teachings of the Bible. The Supertones argue that true religion involves contrition, love, and affection towards one another.
The chorus repeats the message that the revolution has returned, and calls for Christians to enlist for a battle without compromise. The Supertones encourage people to join them in their fight for a revival in Christianity and to not be complacent in their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't no stopping us now
We are determined to move forward and nothing can stand in our way
Not up in this business just to get what we can get
Our purpose is not to gain personal benefits, but to make a positive difference
But bet that
You can be sure of that
We gonna bring it to you loud and clear
We will make our message heard, with clarity and strength
How loud do I got to say it before you people start to hear?
Our message is important and we need people to pay attention and take action
I could name a problem
There are many issues we could point out
But I know a solution
We have identified a viable remedy
Bring back the revolution
We need to return to a time of great change and progress
The revolution comes and we all stand as one
We will unite together to bring about the revolution
Rises from the darkness and shines like the sun
We will emerge from difficult circumstances and bring light to the situation
As the sun gets higher , our church catches fire
As our movement gains momentum, it will ignite a passion in our church
Down from our our pride and up from the mine
We need to overcome our arrogance and work hard for change
It's a dream that I've had and I hope it comes true
This vision is something I have longed for and I am eager to see it realized
I forgot to say the revolution starts with you
Each individual has a role to play in bringing about the revolution, starting with themselves
See wisdom and knowledge is one thing that we lack
We are in need of greater understanding and insight
You've been a Christian how long and you're still on Similac
Despite being a Christian for a long time, you have not grown and matured in your faith
So I call on Martin Luther and all the reformation back
We need to return to the spirit of the Reformation movement led by Martin Luther
Then the common people couldn't read God's revelation
In the past, many people were unable to access the Bible and its teachings
You had to be a monk or a priest or read Latin
Only those within certain professions and who knew certain languages had access to the Bible
That was all before the revolution happened
The Reformation challenged this and helped make the Bible more accessible
But the fire cooled down ever since that generation
The passion and intensity of the Reformation era has faded over time
We put down the Bible and pick up playstation
In modern times, people are more interested in entertainment than studying the Bible
And we can't defend our faith 'cause we don't know
Because we lack understanding, we are unable to articulate and defend our beliefs
We say we love His word but pick a funny way to show it
Our actions do not always reflect our supposed love for the Bible
The world walks by and we don't have a thing to say
We are not engaging with the world and expressing our beliefs
I call 'em as I see 'em
I am speaking the truth as I observe it
The revolution returns
We are bringing back the spirit of revolution
The reformation lives on
We are continuing the legacy of the Reformation era
The great awaking is now
A new era of spiritual awakening is beginning
Sleepers open your eyes
People who have been unaware or indifferent need to wake up and pay attention
A war is on, our rally cry is no compromise
We are engaged in a spiritual battle and our position is non-negotiable
Our hearts have grown so cold
We have become apathetic and indifferent
And we've such numb souls
Our spirits have become desensitized
But shirts and bumper stickers
We have superficial ways of expressing our beliefs
Man we got 'em by the truckload
We have an abundance of these superficial items
Is true religion what you have around your wrist
Is your faith something you wear as an accessory?
What does the scripture say of this
We need to examine what the Bible says about true faith
They honor me with words
People may say all the right things about God
But their hearts are far away
But their hearts are not truly devoted to God
So I call on John Edwards
We need leaders who can awaken and inspire us
Who preached us all awake
We need to be stirred out of our complacency
We try to be emotional but here is our mistake
We may attempt to be moved by emotions, but that is not enough
As a church we lack receptance and we lack true affection
We need to be more open and loving toward one another
Not only in our minds but in our hearts need correction
Our attitudes and beliefs need to be transformed at a deeper level
And man that's true religion, resignation and contrition
True faith involves surrender and remorse for one's sins
To love each other so much that'd we die before division
We need to have such strong unity and love that we would prefer death to division
So what about you
What is your response?
Will you join us?
Will you be a part of this movement?
Will you admit that the waters around us have grown
Will you acknowledge that things are changing and that we need to adapt?
You better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone
If you do not take action and adapt, you will be left behind
Do you stand with us or do we stand alone
Will you support us or leave us isolated?
It's time that we stand up, enlist for war
It is time for us to step up and actively engage in the battle for spiritual transformation
I've tasted battle and now I want more
Once you have experienced the thrill of fighting for what is right, you will want to continue
I've known the truth and been cut to the core
Once you have been deeply impacted by the truth, you will not forget it
But I'm back in the game to even the score
I am motivated to get back in the fight and fight for justice
And I mean to go out with both my guns blazing
I am prepared to give everything I have for this cause
Amazed at a God who's truly amazing
I am constantly astounded by the incredible nature of God
To triumph in battle as the spirit enables
We can only win this battle with the help of the Holy Spirit
Can't turn back the clock but we can turn the tables
We may not be able to change the past, but we can make a difference moving forward
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Frederick Baldner
Takes me back to the nineties when my students in Milford, MI introduced me to these guys. Still one of my go-to listens, along with FIF, Insyderz, and The Felluz :-)
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Gopher Ina
@Rawk4Life WOW, I would too!
Rawk4Life
The concert I still regret not going to was Skamania 98. The O.C. Supertones, FIF, and The Insyderz all together on the same tour.
Michael Kulow
I'm sooo excited to hear that they are back!!!!! I love the supertones.
yeimi alvarez
Will always love these guys!
3fitzgrld
totally awesome!! nice footage! great awakening song.
Ryan Gill
I would LOVE to know the original lyrics!! In the CD liner notes, they commented that this song was originally a 6 or 7 minute song that went through the history of the Reformation! That'd be awesome.
Calebe Dourado
i'm shocked! WOHOOO! never thought that they would ever come back... good times on my teenage days, listening to supertones, audio adrenaline, dc talk, newsboys and all 90's great gospel bands. Thks for the tip bro! God bless u.
Moises Salazar
Genial, grande OC Supertones
Cristo Suburbano
Awesome, guys!!!!