Drummer Victor DeLorenzo said that he would be open to recording new material with the Violent Femmes, but on July 15, 2013, it was announced that Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Viglione would be replacing DeLorenzo as the band's drummer. In a statement, DeLorenzo said "It's always hard to write a eulogy for a lost loved one. In this case, I sadly lament the loss of a dream and an ideal that was once Violent Femmes." Viglione is credited as the drummer on the 2016 release We Can Do Anything but would later be replaced by John Sparrow, who had played in the Violent Femmes backing band previously.
Their music is an innovative combination of American folk music and punk rock. The lyrics mix common adolescent themes like yearning for love, sex and affection with explorations of sin, death, and the hope of salvation. Their songs often express both a lyrical and musical sense of humor. Critics often attribute the Violent Femmes as laying the groundwork of dynamicism for the 90s grunge movement.
In its early days, the band frequently played coffee houses and street corners. They were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott (of The Pretenders) on August 23, 1981, when the band was busking on a street corner in front of the Oriental Theatre, the Milwaukee venue that The Pretenders would be playing later that night. Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act. The band signed to Slash Records and recorded their eponymous debut in July 1982.
The group quickly gained a small cult following after the release of their self-titled album that never burgeoned into widespread popularity, although a few songs from this album did get some recognition ("Add It Up", "Blister in the Sun" and "Gone Daddy Gone"). The debut album Violent Femmes went platinum ten years after its release, and "Blister in the Sun" has become an alternative rock radio staple.
Children Of The Revolution
Violent Femmes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have a good time
You can twist and shout
Let it all hang out
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
You can tell a plane, in the falling rain
'Cause it's good for my voice
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
You can bump and grind (grind)
Feeling fine (fine)
You can twist and shout (shout)
Knock yourself out
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time
You can bump and grind
Have a good time
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Awoo, Awoo, ah ah (grind, time)
Awoo, Awoo (grind, time)
Awoo (grind, time)
Awoo (grind, time)
(Grind)
(Time)
(Grind)
(Time)
"Children of the Revolution" is a song by Violent Femmes that suggests young people see through the facade of the older generation's lifestyle, no matter how flashy or ostentatious. The song emphasizes the message that the children of the revolution will not be fooled by material possessions and excesses of the adults. The lyrics start with an invitation to party and let loose, but the message becomes clear in the chorus when it says: "You can bump and grind/ Have a good time/ You can twist and shout/ Let it all hang out/ But you won't fool the children of the revolution/ No, you won't fool the children of the revolution."
The second verse highlights how the adults' behavior and language change around expensive possessions. They are trying to impress the younger generation with luxury cars and expensive experiences. Still, the children of the revolution see through these material trappings and know what the adults are trying to do: "You can tell a plane, in the falling rain/ I got a Rolls Royce/ 'Cause it's good for my voice/ But you won't fool the children of the revolution/ No, you won't fool the children of the revolution."
Overall, the song sends a powerful message to rebel against superficiality by championing authenticity and sincerity.
Line by Line Meaning
You can bump and grind
You can dance suggestively
Have a good time
Enjoy yourself
You can twist and shout
You can let loose and be loud
Let it all hang out
Express yourself freely
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
The younger generation is not easily swayed or fooled by the superficial things in life
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
There is no way to deceive or mislead the youth who are seeking meaningful change
You can tell a plane, in the falling rain
You can boast and brag about things, even in difficult situations
I got a Rolls Royce
I have wealth and status
'Cause it's good for my voice
The car entices others to listen to me
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
The youth are focused on changing the world for the better, not on material possessions
You can bump and grind (grind)
You can still dance suggestively
Feeling fine (fine)
Feeling good
Knock yourself out
Go ahead and have fun to the fullest extent
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
The youth will not be swayed by such actions, as they are seeking real change
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
The younger generation is too aware and too driven to be deceived
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
The youth are motivated to change the status quo and will not be distracted by empty entertainment
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
The younger generation is not easily tricked, and will not be misled from their goal of creating meaningful change
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
The youth are too wise, too motivated, and too focused on making a difference to be swayed by empty experiences
Bump and grind (grind)
Dancing suggestively is still an option
Have a good time
Enjoy yourself
Awoo, Awoo, ah ah (grind, time)
Making fun of the act of dancing suggestively and having empty fun
Awoo, Awoo (grind, time)
Further mockery of these superficial actions
Awoo (grind, time)
The youth feel no need to engage in these shallow, meaningless pursuits
Awoo (grind, time)
The younger generation has a serious purpose - to create a better world for everyone
(Grind)
Dancing suggestively
(Time)
Having fun in the moment
(Grind)
Empty entertainment
(Time)
Fleeting enjoyment
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gordon James Gano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MAXXHEW
You can bump and grind
Have a good time
You can twist and shout
Let it all hang out
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
You can tell a plane, in the falling rain
I got a Rolls Royce
'Cause it's good for my voice
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
You can bump and grind (grind)
Feeling fine (fine)
You can twist and shout (shout)
Knock yourself out
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time
You can bump and grind
Have a good time
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Awoo, Awoo, ah ah (grind, time)
Awoo, Awoo (grind, time)
Awoo (grind, time)
Awoo (grind, time)
(Grind)
(Time)
(Grind)
(Time)
G Clark
Such an amazing cover by the Femmes,one of my all time favorites by them!...👍🏿
MAXXHEW
You can bump and grind
Have a good time
You can twist and shout
Let it all hang out
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
You can tell a plane, in the falling rain
I got a Rolls Royce
'Cause it's good for my voice
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
You can bump and grind (grind)
Feeling fine (fine)
You can twist and shout (shout)
Knock yourself out
But you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
No, you can't fool the children of the revolution
No, you won't fool the children of the revolution
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time
You can bump and grind
Have a good time
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Bump and grind (grind)
Have a good time (time)
Awoo, Awoo, ah ah (grind, time)
Awoo, Awoo (grind, time)
Awoo (grind, time)
Awoo (grind, time)
(Grind)
(Time)
(Grind)
(Time)
Haeuptling Aberja
All time favorite from the lads. Thanks.
sideline55
Hell, Yeah! Violent Femme Video Dump day! I never knew this song had a video.
Francesco Fasolato
So Great !!!!!!!!!
THOMAS KLECYNGIER
COOL T.REX`ES COVER SONG! VIOLENT FEMMES , YOU DID IT VERY GOOD JOB, INDEED! SOME TALKING HEADES ELEMENTS INCLUDED! ME LIKE IT! MARK BOLAN WOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOU , I`M SURE! IT IS A GREAT SONG FOR A COVER( BUT "SOMETHING", NOT A "COPY" ONE NOR "THE BAD IDEA" CONCEPT, INTERESTING, DIFFERENT! ANYWAY, JUST STOPPED BY TO SAY " I`M BACK AGAIN, STILL REMEMBER YOU GUYS!" REGARDS, THOMAS(POLAND-CHICAGO)
Don Gusto
You can not f with this band
curseoftheegglady
Reminds me of CD101 back in the day
sonordstrom
Good ole’ Milwaukee Public Museum! :)
Matthias Frerick
How did this song have a video? And why do I not know it?
This is insanity.
But you won't fool the children of the revolution. I will not fall for this.