TSUNAMI BOMB’s debut album, “The Ultimate Escape” on Kung Fu Records received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone later naming it as one of their Top 50 Pop-Punk albums of all time. Despite line-up changes, TSUNAMI BOMB’s resilience has allowed them to release multiple albums through the years, including their most recent LP,
“The Spine That Binds” on Jello Biafra’s label, Alternative Tentacles Records. Their ability to infuse emotional depth into their impactful and unforgettable songs has long established their contribution to shaping the punk rock landscape.
With a longtime lineup consisting of founding bassist Dominic Davi, whose pulsating driving rhythms anchor the band's music, founding keyboardist/vocalist Oobliette Sparks, whose haunting melodies and powerhouse vocals add depth and texture, founding drummer Gabe Lindeman, whose thunderous beats drive the band's relentless energy, singer Kate Jacobi, whose emotive vocals lead the charge with passion and intensity, and guitarist Andrew Pohl, whose searing riffs and unforgettable dynamic tone elevate the band's sonic landscape.
Over the years, TSUNAMI BOMB has evolved and matured while always staying true to their signature sound. Continuing to push boundaries and deliver an experience that is both powerful and unforgettable, solidifying TSUNAMI BOMB’s place as a prominent force within the punk rock scene.
Discography
B-Movie Queens (1999)
Mayhem on the High Seas (1999)
The Invasion From Within (2000)
The Ultimate Escape (2002)
The Definitive Act (2004)
Top 40 Hit
Tsunami Bomb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soldiers with no brains
You think (you think) you have a choice
(You don't) Money chooses for you
You play the role
Follow the herd
You play the role
Remote controlled
And you swallow...
You play the role
They have their hands over your ears
You'll never hear the sounds that matter
Brainwashed by repetition
(They open your mind) with a soldering gun
Don't let them tell you what to like
Don't let them tell you what to buy
You see (you hear) what they decide;
Your radio (has got to die)!!
The lyrics of Tsunami Bomb's song "Top 40 Hit" criticize the music industry and the conditioning of audiences to accept what they are fed. The opening lines, "They're making you what you are: Soldiers with no brains," suggest that audiences are brainwashed into consuming whatever the music industry throws their way. The line, "Money chooses for you/You play the role," further emphasizes how the entertainment industry's primary objective is profit, not originality or artistic merit. The verses continue to condemn the audiences for their passive acceptance of what they hear on the radio, being part of the herd and doing what is expected of them. The chorus insists that audiences break away from the influence of the industry and make their own choices, instead of letting themselves be told what to like or buy. The lyric "Your radio has got to die" is particularly poignant, as it challenges audiences to reject the mainstream and seek alternative and underground music.
The overall message of "Top 40 Hit" is that people should be critical of what they consume, particularly in the entertainment industry, and actively seek what speaks to them personally. The song also addresses the responsibility of the industry to provide more diverse and authentic content rather than copying or recycling what works. This song highlights a common issue in the entertainment industry, which is that the masses usually accept what they're spoonfed, often without questioning its content or authenticity. In this way, the song is a reminder to stay true to oneself, pursue individuality, and be open to discovering new things.
Line by Line Meaning
They're making you what you are:
You are being molded and turned into someone/ something else by others.
Soldiers with no brains
People who are blindly following others without reasoning or questioning their actions.
You think (you think) you have a choice
You believe that you are in control and have the power to make decisions.
(You don't) Money chooses for you
In reality, the availability of money forces you to make certain choices or decisions.
You play the role
You are acting out a certain part or character assigned to you.
Follow the herd
Be a part of the crowd and do what everyone else is doing.
You play the role
You continue to act out a pre-defined character.
Remote controlled
You are being controlled from a distance by someone or something else.
They scoop it up, shove it down your throat
They forcefully and persistently feed you with information or opinions that you may not agree with.
And you swallow...
You accept and internalize the opinions or ideas that are being fed to you.
You play the role
You continue to fit a certain stereotype or image.
They have their hands over your ears
They are controlling what you should hear or listen to.
You'll never hear the sounds that matter
You may never come across the things or ideas that may truly resonate with you.
Brainwashed by repetition
You are trained to believe something after hearing it a certain number of times, rather than analyzing it logically.
(They open your mind) with a soldering gun
They forcibly try to change your mind with painful, invasive, and sustained actions.
Don't let them tell you what to like
Do not allow others to determine what you should like or appreciate.
Don't let them tell you what to buy
Do not allow others to influence your purchasing decisions.
You see (you hear) what they decide;
You are shown or told what others want you to see or hear.
Your radio (has got to die)!!
It is necessary to discard external influences, such as the radio, in order to develop a personal understanding of the world and oneself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind