Austin, Texas-based duo The Wind and The Wave are Dwight Baker and Patricia… Read Full Bio ↴Austin, Texas-based duo The Wind and The Wave are Dwight Baker and Patricia Lynn. (Dwight is “The Wind” and Patty is “The Wave.”) The two met in 2009 when Dwight, a touring musician turned songwriter and producer, who’s worked with such artists as Bob Schneider and Brandi Carlile, was urged by his wife to actually leave his studio (“I’m kind of a hermit,” he says) and go see a friend’s band. Patty’s previous band was opening the show.

The album "From the Wreckage" glows with a rootsy golden tone that encompasses everything from indie-folk, to alt-country, to blues-rock to Southern psychedelia. The raucous first single “With Your Two Hands” sounds like it could have been written during an impromptu back-porch jam session.

Raising Hands Raising Hell Rai
The Wind and the Wave Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This body isn't mind, but I got a heart of gold
And i'm sitting in a desk nailed to the floor doing everything i'm told
Doing everything i'm told

You dragged me to the doctor and you didn't tell me why
A nine year old in headphones raising hands, raising hell, raise 'em high
Oh you better raise 'em high

Oo hoo
You don't even know, you don't even know
Oo hoo
You don't even know, you don't even know
Yoo hoo
Say you don't even know, you don't even know
Oo hoo

I don't wanna go to church no more, I don't wanna go to school
Got jesus on the dashboard and the devil's
Sitting in a pew right next to you
Oh he's right next to you,

My brother had a baby, and well I don't tell the truth
My sister's smoking pot, breaking hearts
Breaking bad, breaking rules,
Oh we're gonna break some rules

Oo hoo
You don't even know, you don't even know
Oo hoo
You don't even know, you don't even know
Yoo hoo
Say you don't even know, you don't even know
Oo hoo

Hey, hey, hey

Overall Meaning

In The Wind and the Wave's song "Raising Hands Raising Hell Rai," the lyrics touch on themes of rebellion against authority and tradition, as well as the complexities and contradictions within family relationships. The first verse introduces the singer as someone who feels trapped in a mundane, controlled existence, yet simultaneously has a compassionate and empathetic nature ("This body isn't mind, but I got a heart of gold"). The second verse jumps back to the singer's childhood, when they were taken to the doctor without explanation and left feeling powerless and confused ("You dragged me to the doctor and you didn't tell me why"). The chorus repeats the phrase "you don't even know" several times, perhaps to emphasize the generational divide or the sense of misunderstood rebellion.

The second half of the song sees the singer expressing their disillusionment with both religion and education ("I don't wanna go to church no more, I don't wanna go to school"), and then confessing some family secrets that imply a sense of brokenness and dysfunction ("My brother had a baby, and well I don't tell the truth / My sister's smoking pot, breaking hearts / Breaking bad, breaking rules"). The repetition of the catchy and anthemic "oo hoo" and "yoo hoo" hooks throughout the song adds to its defiant, rebellious feel.

Overall, "Raising Hands Raising Hell Rai" is a powerful and relatable song about feeling constrained by societal expectations and familial pressures, and the yearning to break free and live authentically.

Line by Line Meaning

This body isn’t mind, but I got a heart of gold
Despite my physical limitations, I possess a pure and kind nature.

And I’m sitting in a desk nailed to the floor doing everything I’m told
Despite feeling trapped and restricted in my current situation, I am obedient and follow orders.

You dragged me to the doctor and you didn’t tell me why
You brought me to seek medical attention without explaining the reason for the visit.

A nine-year-old in headphones raising hands, raising hell, raise ‘em high
A young child, defiantly acting out and refusing to conform to societal norms.

Oh, you better raise ‘em high
You should fully embrace your rebellious nature and make your presence known.

I don’t wanna go to church no more, I don’t wanna go to school
I am disillusioned with structured institutions, such as organized religion and traditional education.

Got Jesus on the dashboard and the devil’s sitting in a pew right next to you
Even those who appear holy and righteous may possess hidden flaws or have a dark side.

My brother had a baby, and well I don’t tell the truth
I keep secrets and do not always act honestly, even with those closest to me.

My sister’s smoking pot, breaking hearts, breaking bad, breaking rules
Others in my life are also rebellious and do not conform to societal expectations.

Oh, we’re gonna break some rules
We are determined to challenge authority and live outside the established norm.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DWIGHT BAKER, PATRICIA LYNN DREW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

B R

9y↑5

"Jesus on the dashboard and devil in a pew"
Great song and voices.

huyked

9y↑1

You "guys" rock, you guys rock, you guys rock!!!! OMG, I just got bit by your music(al styling). AMAZING stuff!

Saw them for the very first time tonight in Solana Beach at the Belly Up, and wow, am I glad I did!