Anthem
Yngwie J. Malmsteen Lyrics
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Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me
Keep on looking forward; no use in looking 'round
Hold your head above the ground and they won't bring you down
Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
New wonders in the world, wonders in the world,
Wonders in the world they wrought.
Live for yourself
there's no one else
More worth living for
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will
Only cry out for more
Well, I know they've always told you
Selfishness was wrong
Yet it was for me, not you, I
Came to write this song
The lyrics of Yngwie J. Malmsteen's "Anthem" encourage listeners to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams with determination. The opening lines urge the audience to stand up for themselves and not let others dictate their path in life. The singer advises to focus on the future and not dwell on past failures, challenging the listener to rise above any negative criticism or obstacles.
The second verse is more introspective, focusing on the conflict between following one's personal passions and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The phrase "anthem of the heart" suggests a yearning for emotional fulfillment and personal fulfillment, while "anthem of the mind" implies a desire for intellectual exploration and discovery. The reference to a "funeral dirge for eyes gone blind" symbolizes the disappointment felt when individuals give up their dreams to follow convention.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and self-determination, celebrating the unique potential of every individual. The final verse offers a tongue-in-cheek critique of the idea that selfishness is always negative, with the songwriter taking credit for his success at the expense of those who may have questioned his motives.
Line by Line Meaning
Know your place in life is where you want to be
Be happy with your position in life that makes you content and gives you satisfaction.
Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me
Don't believe anyone who says that you should credit them for your achievements.
Keep on looking forward; no use in looking 'round
Keep yourself focused and motivated towards your future instead of dwelling in the past or worrying about the present.
Hold your head above the ground and they won't bring you down
Stay confident and don't let others bring you down by looking down on you.
Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
The chorus symbolizes two important aspects of life - emotion and intellect, which are reflected in this song.
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
The sad tune signifies a lamentation for those who can't perceive the beauty of the world anymore.
We marvel after those who sought
We appreciate, acknowledge and respect those who strived to achieve great things.
New wonders in the world, wonders in the world, Wonders in the world they wrought.
These lines repeat the previous one and sum up the idea of praising the creators of amazing things.
Live for yourself
The artist advises his listeners to live their lives on their own terms and without any influence or coercion from anyone else.
there's no one else
Only you have the right to make decisions for yourself and no one else can dictate how you should live.
More worth living for
You should be your own reason for living and shouldn't depend on anyone else for your happiness.
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will Only cry out for more
If you expect others to give you everything without making any effort yourself, you'll never be fully satisfied and always ask for more.
Well, I know they've always told you Selfishness was wrong Yet it was for me, not you, I Came to write this song
The artist acknowledges the criticism against selfishness but explains that he made this song for his own purposes and not for someone else's sake.
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DERUYTER, JANSSEN, SCHEFFERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pulungsugiantoro3625
"The very first time I heard RUSH was at a friends house in 1976. The album was 'Fly By Night'. When this song Anthem started it really hit me hard."
– Yngwie Malmsteen
@fabricioassismg5622
RIP Neil Peart!... God bless the master!
@TheModernHermeticist
rip
@Epulor1
In my mind, this does what a great cover should. It serves as Yngwie's vision of the song, and not just an impotent copy. Thank you!
@bobbyrodriguez3224
Great song being covered by great artists. Tommy Aldridge on drums sounds awesome. Yngwie makes sure you know its him playing and Mark boals sounds great! Gotta admit yngwie has his own unique sound! 2 thumbs up from Texas!
@Romanorum82
I thought it was Anders Johansson on the drums for this one. UPDATE: I checked with the Wiki (I know...) and Tommy didn't show up. Would have been great, too!
@letsgobryden5063
What a fucking powerful cover! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
@FLguy1967
GLORIOUS🎸
@CrosbyStillsNashYoun
GLORIOUS POWER
@JRaptorCQC
Shit, this is a killer cover of Anthem. Don't forget the Yngwie plays an old ass fretless P-Bass!