Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups.

(1) The … Read Full Bio ↴Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups.

(1) The first was a punk music trio formed by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern, in Hollywood, California in 1980. The band has broken up and subsequently re-formed a number of times. They have been together again for several years as of 2006, and playing shows throughout California. Youth Brigade have only released a few records, but were influential as the founders of the Better Youth Organization, an independent record label and concert booking firm.

(2) Youth Brigade was also another, unrelated punk band from Washington D.C., who released a 7" EP on Dischord Records in 1981. This band subsequently, during their short life, called themselves DC Youth Brigade. Youth Brigade DC also has 3 tracks featured on the 1982 Dischord compilation Flex Your Head. An unreleased song entitled "I Object" is also featured on the 20 Years of Dischord compliation set. Although only around for a short period of time the DC Youth Brigade played shows with the legendary Minor Threat. Their style is also now considered a classic example of American hardcore punk.

Deep Inside of Me
Youth Brigade Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Call me foolish, call me stupid and naive.
I've got these feelings they keep me thinking free.
Some call it God, father, son, holy ghost,
Krishna, Yahweh, Allah, the list goes on and on.

All this searching belief and trust and faithfulness,
For me everything is here, deep inside of me.

In the name of love, hate and twisted righteousness.
Moral indignations confounds hypocrisy.
Call it what you want, it permeates our history.
Religious institutions try to control reality.

I don't need anyone to tell me
What I should believe
Or how to deal with the force that created me.
Don't believe in hell and hate
And punishment as a fate.

Just throw aside the guilt and lies
Deal with what you feel.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Youth Brigade's song "Deep Inside of Me" speak to an individual's inner search for meaning and the rejection of religious institutions that attempt to dictate their beliefs. The singer acknowledges that they may be perceived as foolish or naive for valuing their feelings and thoughts over organized religion. They recognize the numerous names and labels given to the concept of a higher power, acknowledging that there are many different interpretations of what constitutes divinity. The song highlights the pervasiveness of religious influences in our history, touching on themes of love, hate, righteousness, morality, and hypocrisy.

Line by Line Meaning

Call me foolish, call me stupid and naÃ¯ve.
Addressing the audience, the writer acknowledges that they may be called foolish, stupid, or naive for following their feelings and thinking independently.

I've got these feelings they keep me thinking free.
The writer explains that their emotions allow them the freedom to think and make choices on their own.

Some call it God, father, son, holy ghost, Krishna, Yahweh, Allah, the list goes on and on.
Various cultures and religions have different names for what the writer considers a universal force or presence.

All this searching belief and trust and faithfulness, For me everything is here, deep inside of me.
The constant search for belief, trust, and faithfulness is unnecessary for the writer, as they find everything they need internally.

In the name of love, hate and twisted righteousness. Moral indignations confounds hypocrisy.
Love, hate, and self-righteousness are often used as justifications for moral judgment, which can lead to hypocrisy.

Call it what you want, it permeates our history. Religious institutions try to control reality.
Whatever name it goes by, belief in a higher power has played a significant role in human history and has been used by religious institutions to assert control over individuals and their beliefs.

I don't need anyone to tell me What I should believe Or how to deal with the force that created me.
The writer does not require external guidance on what to believe or how to understand their origins.

Don't believe in hell and hate And punishment as a fate. Just throw aside the guilt and lies Deal with what you feel.
The writer rejects the notion of eternal punishment for one's beliefs or actions and instead urges individuals to reject guilt and falsehoods and instead focus on their true emotions and feelings.

Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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