People Want to Know
U.S. Army Airborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when your mind's made up, you wake up with the junk yeah, your shoulders can drop, you out run the demons, the cramps you just leave them, choking in your dust, and when you fall down exhausted you sleep you don't force the day to cave in, sleep is there to hug ya, caress and to drug ya, on it you can depend, so keep that voice on your shoulder, that steers you out of the corners, that night won't swallow you up ,when you know, when you know what you want,
when you know what you want, the winds at your back yeah, and time's your friend, it'll push you out like tide, drag you in and kiss you at the end, when you know what you want, you keep your head up yeah, you look at the sun, you stopp hiding beneath fringes he who just lingers on and on, just keep that voice on your shoulder, that steers you out of the corners, that night won't swallow you up ,when you know, when you know what you want,
when you know what you want
The lyrics of U.S. Army Airborne's song "People Want to Know" are about perseverance and determination. The song speaks to the importance of knowing what you want in life, and having the willpower to pursue it even when faced with obstacles. The lyrics suggest that when you have a clear vision of your goals, you will have the momentum and motivation to keep going.
The first verse emphasizes the importance of time and how it can either work for or against you. When you know what you want, time becomes your ally, pushing you towards your goals. It also implies that when you are not sure what you want, you tend to waste time, lingering in the shadows and not making progress. The second verse talks about waking up with determination, leaving negativity behind and pushing yourself beyond your limits. It also emphasizes the importance of rest and taking care of yourself to maintain your strength and motivation.
Line by Line Meaning
When you know what you want, the winds at your back yeah
If you are certain about what you want to achieve, everything seems to fall into place easily.
and time's your friend, it'll push you out like tide, drag you in and kiss you at the end
Time can be your greatest ally if you learn to ride the ups and downs and know when to let go.
when you know what you want, you keep your head up yeah, you look at the sun, you stop hiding beneath fringes he who just lingers on and on
Believing in yourself and having a clear vision of your goals helps you stay confident and focused, preventing you from getting stuck in a rut.
just keep that voice on your shoulder, that steers you out of the corners, that night won't swallow you up ,when you know, when you know what you want,
Trusting your instinct and intuition can be a powerful tool to lead you out of difficult situations when you have a strong sense of purpose.
when your mind's made up, you wake up with the junk yeah, your shoulders can drop, you out run the demons, the cramps you just leave them, choking in your dust
Once you make up your mind to pursue your goals, you become unstoppable, leaving behind negative thoughts and unnecessary burdens.
and when you fall down exhausted you sleep you don't force the day to cave in, sleep is there to hug ya, caress and to drug ya, on it you can depend
Taking a break and getting proper rest is vital to recharge your mind and body, allowing you to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle your goals.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: TIM ADRIAN ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew Dudevoir
Another byproduct of Airborne is the LGOP (Little Group of Paratroopers). When airborne operations don't go as planned, paratroopers succeed by forming ad hoc formations with whomever they've landed with and moving out to the nearest objective. This is possible because each soldier knows the plan intimately—not just their piece of it, but the big picture and how they fit in. This phenomenon is illustrated in Ep 2 of Band of Brothers. In my opinion this, combined with a willingness to adapt and overcome, is the hallmark of Airborne professionalism.
The Bureaucrat
That's a good point. Doing Airborne operations right requires a leadership style that makes the whole Army more successful. The simple fact that one cold night, you might find yourself with four other guys who you have never met and you have to fight and win...that shapes the way leaders think.
sightseer1000
I served in the 82 Airborne for 12 years and served in other none airborne units for 8 years. There is a big difference in soldiers discipline, attitude and pride. I was told once by a Major with only a few months in the 82nd, he stated "My best sergeant in my previous assignments would be an average Sergeant here." I definitely believe soldiers and Officers were included in that statement.
Drew Pulley
I agree wholeheartedly. Started to see that when some of our shitbird soldiers would PCS to leg units and become squad leaders as soon as they got to their new unit, or when we would get an E5 from a leg unit and basically have to train them up from scratch. It's just a different mindset there that's easy to take for granted when you're living it everyday. I'm not saying we were as good as Ranger Regiment or SF but compared to other leg light infantry that I've worked with I would say we are quite a bit ahead. Looking back i'm super privileged to have spent my time in the 82nd.
The Bureaucrat
I think that's the net effect of building units out of the kinds of soldiers who are willing to face danger with courage and take their task seriously.
Drew Pulley
When I was in the 82nd I was very much in the camp of Airborne is irrelevant, but we were still in a GWOT mindset and all the time we had to spend on jump proficiency seemed better spent shooting or clearing houses. Now that we are pivoting to a more near peer Russia/ China/ Iran/ DPRK footing I feel differently. I think in a near peer context it makes perfect sense. We have a unique capability that our adversaries lack, we can drop a brigade of above average light infantry and enablers behind enemy lines and seize and hold key terrain. And that's just talking about big army airborne, Ranger regiment also trains airfield seizure and has a pretty impressive track record. Look at what the Russians tried to do at Hostomol Airport outside of Kieve, had they been successful and established an air bridge the initial invasion could've looked very different. The enemy has to tie up valuable resources guarding airfields and other potential DZ's, troops that would otherwise be on the front lines. Not to mention airborne units in my experience tend to produce a more skilled and resilient soldier, the LGOP concept creates and requires NCO's that understand their mission as well as the broader intent and can "exercise initiative in the absence of orders".
The Bureaucrat
Alright! I'm going to give you bonus points for shifting the focus to what our adversaries think about Airborne. Your point about forcing them to spread defenses thin is excellent.
Crivyeller
Airborne is also a Deterrent. It will make the enemy think twice about invading US occupied land / allied land if they can expect a blanket of sky soldiers willing to meet them or death in a matter of hours anywhere in the world.
The Bureaucrat
Yup, you can drive your tanks across our borders, but we can put our guys behind you whereever we want.
Steve Edwards
When I was in the 82nd, 79-81, we were always going somewhere for exercises and training. I was in the 307th Eng bn and we were in the field a lot but not as much as the 11b's. Once while in Alaska for cold weather training we were getting ready to go to the field for a week or so and was given the list to pack. An e5 from a leg infantry unit said "we can't pack all that in the Alice pack". I'm thinking he's infantry sargeant and doesn't know how to pack for the field?!? I was an e4 and showed him how it was done. Yes, we were better trained even in the small details.