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 Raise 'Em High
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

At its core, "Raising Hands Raising Hell Raise 'Em High" is a song about rebellion and the struggles of growing up. The opening lines immediately set the tone for the theme of the song - the idea that we are trapped by societal norms and expectations. The lyric "This body isn't mine but I got a heart of gold" speaks to the idea that we are all more than just flesh and bone, but our individuality is often lost in a world that values conformity above all else. The second line, "And I'm sitting in a desk nailed to the floor doing everything I'm told" drives home this point further, illustrating the feelings of helplessness and frustration that can arise from being trapped in a system that feels stifling and restrictive.

The song also touches on the ways in which our experiences growing up can shape us, both positively and negatively. The lyric "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" paints a vivid picture of a young child struggling to understand what's happening around them, seeking solace in music and rebellion. The lines "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" suggest a push-pull dynamic between conformity and rebellion, highlighting the contradictions that can exist within us as we navigate the world.

Overall, "Raising Hands Raising Hell Raise 'Em High" is a powerful anthem of individuality and rebellion, capturing the push-pull dynamic of growing up and carving out our own paths in life.

Line by Line Meaning

This body isn't mind, but I got a heart of gold
Although I may not always understand everything going on, I am purely coming from a place of love and kindness.

And i'm sitting in a desk nailed to the floor doing everything i'm told
I am constantly bound to societal structures and expectations, doing what is expected of me without questioning it.

Doing everything i'm told
I am doing what is expected of me without any room for personal growth or exploration.

You dragged me to the doctor and you didn't tell me why
I am being forced to comply without any explanation or understanding of what is happening to me.

A nine year old in headphones raising hands, raising hell, raise 'em high
Despite being young and unaware, I am fighting against the situation I have been put in with all my might.

Oh you better raise 'em high
I am determined to use all my energy to fight back against the situation at hand.

I don't wanna go to church no more, I don't wanna go to school
I am rejecting societal and religious institutions because they do not align with my values or beliefs.

Got jesus on the dashboard and the devil's sitting in a pew right next to you
Despite religious symbols being present, there is still darkness and temptation all around us, even in places of worship.

Oh he's right next to you,
Evil and temptation are omnipresent and always within reach, even when surrounded by good influences.

My brother had a baby, and well I don't tell the truth
There are secrets and hidden truths within my family that I keep to myself, sometimes leading to a sense of dishonesty.

My sister's smoking pot, breaking hearts, breaking bad, breaking rules,
My sister is engaging in rebellious behavior, whether that is through substance use or breaking rules and causing emotional harm.

Oh we're gonna break some rules
There is a sense of excitement and determination to rebel against societal expectations, and live our lives the way we see fit.

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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