History
Both Simon Katz and Sam Martin were in the band Iglu & Hartly, but after a 2011 hiatus, the two reformed with three of their long-time friends to form Youngblood Hawke. Their name is taken from the Herman Wouk novel of the same name. In October 2011 before landing a record deal with Universal Republic, Youngblood had a residency at The Satellite in Los Angeles. Aside from that, the group has performed at SXSW, playing showcases such as Comedy Central Workaholics showcase and Purevolume House . The band is based in Silverlake, Los Angeles where they are working on their debut album and have worked odd jobs on the side during the recording process. Youngblood Hawke's latest single "We Come Running", has been described by LA Weekly 's Kevin Bronson as showing the quintet's "skills at grabbing hold of the pop jugular vein".Their track "Forever" was included in Starbucks Pick of the Week for September 2012. Before that, they joined the lineup for both Echo Park Rising festival as well as Lobsterfest . Recently, Youngblood Hawke's video for their debut single "We Come Running" was featured on Rollingstone Magazine , "where they play music and scuba dive with sharks in time" in hopes to help promote the conservation of sharks. The band is currently on tour with Passion Pit.
Their music has been described as "maximalist pop."
2012 Youngblood Hawke (EP) Tour
Their eponymous 2012 release spawned the single "We Come Running," which features the West Los Angeles Children's Choir during the chorus. The song has received airplay nationwide, and has been described as "anthemic" and having "youthful spirit."
The album itself has charted in Billboard's Top 200 albums for the week of 1 September 2012, and #3 on the Heatseekers Albums chart for the same week. The week of 20 August 2012, "We Come Running" was slated as the "Single of the Week!" by iTunes.
Knock Me Down
Youngblood Hawke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm scared of dying here all on my own
I'm a slave for you under factory heat
Working my life away for something to eat
I've never known a world outside these walls
I've heard the stories, stories that call
And they keep me up, thoughts of living free
Won't knock me
Won't knock me
Won't knock me
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
Born in the shadows of a violent machine
Washing my brain of all that I believe
Was a slave for you, now I'm breaking out free
I'll pull the curtain down, now I can see
I duck my head into the cover of night
I'm sick of watching, watching 'em die
Run for the fences yeah I'm breaking free
I'll stand up there on my own two feet
Won't knock me
Won't knock me
Won't knock me
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
(Won't knock me)
etc.
The lyrics of Youngblood Hawke's song "Knock Me Down" paint the picture of a person who feels empty and scared but is determined to break free and live life on their own terms. The opening lines give a sense of hopelessness, as the singer feels hollowed out and scared of dying alone. The following lines reveal that they are working hard for survival, trying to make ends meet.
The second verse shows that the singer has been brainwashed by a violent machine, and has been forced to live a life of slavery. However, they have had enough and are determined to break free from their chains. They are sick of watching others suffer and are ready to make a run for it.
The chorus comes in as a declaration of defiance, a statement of strength and determination to rise up against the odds. The repetitive phrase "won't knock me down" amplifies the sense of unwavering courage and determination in the face of adversity. The song ends on a note of resilience, with the singer having found the will to break free and standing up tall on their own two feet.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feeling hollowed out, left to the bone
I feel empty and just a shell of a person, with nothing left inside
I'm scared of dying here all on my own
I'm afraid of being alone and dying without anyone by my side
I'm a slave for you under factory heat
I'm a bonded laborer working under harsh conditions and heat, serving someone else
Working my life away for something to eat
I'm toiling my life for just the basic necessity of food
I've never known a world outside these walls
I have never experienced freedom or the world outside the confines of these walls
I've heard the stories, stories that call
I've heard the tales of a better life, which call out to me
And they keep me up, thoughts of living free
These stories keep me awake at night, dreaming of a life of freedom
I'll stand up there on my own two feet
I will rise up and stand strong on my own
Won't knock me down, won't knock me down
I won't let anyone or anything break me down
Born in the shadows of a violent machine
I was born in the shadows of a violent and oppressive system
Washing my brain of all that I believe
I was brainwashed to forget my beliefs and individuality
Was a slave for you, now I'm breaking out free
I used to be a slave, but now I'm breaking free from the shackles of oppression
I'll pull the curtain down, now I can see
I'll lift the veil of ignorance and see the world for what it truly is
I duck my head into the cover of night
I hide under the cover of darkness to avoid being caught by my oppressors
I'm sick of watching, watching 'em die
I'm tired of witnessing people being oppressed and dying
Run for the fences yeah I'm breaking free
I'm making a run for it and breaking free from the confines of oppression
etc.
The song continues with repeated lines of not being knocked down and standing strong.
Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JohnGramer06
I got a stress fracture in my left foot from cross country and this was my anthem while I trained on a stationary bike for 6 weeks to get back into running.
@TheSilentlyWhisper
Why the hell this is song is so underrated.
Keep it up! Greetings from Poland!
@BalloraAndEnnard
Best ultimate song ever on Madden
@BalloraAndEnnard
Just like get some freedom and automatic
@anzac407
Great song!
@YgrtYoshi
THIS IS FIRE!!!!!
@brunocapela2802
Underrated AF
@iamrashadfox2970
This is motivation right here
@amadeusexperimentallain6860
Wuao 10/10❤
@valverdeespinozairatxevale4744
It's so amazing YBH!