All American Singer
Zephaniah Ohora Lyrics
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Passing laws that change what you can say
And at home we're fighting in the streets
over politics and the way things used to be
It's not about who's right or wrong
cause they'll defend their right to being free
I don't build walls by singing songs
so I'm proud to be an all American singer
Some people talk of tolerance
yet they won't tolerate a different stance
No they're not fine with staying blind to
injustices they see every day
when it comes to crime and equal pay
I think it's time we find a better way
and I'll stand up for democracy
hey I'm proud to be an all American singer
I'm gonna get down off the soapbox
and get back behind a guitar with the band
stop singing songs that draw hard lines
that set the stage for chaos and divide
I'm not here to say you're wrong
but we can come together through a song
they take pride in taking sides
well I'm proud to be an all American singer
I hear talking on the radio
of war on thought and conspiracy
And some people judge their fellow man
by their party or the color of their skin
If I see you down the road my friend
It don't matter the race or class you're living in
we all find solace in a song
so I'm proud to be an all American singer
Zephaniah Ohora’s song “All American Singer” is a commentary on the state of American politics and society. The song opens with the idea of government passing laws that change what people can say, while at home people are fighting in the streets over politics and the way things used to be. Ohora recognizes that this conflict is not about who’s right or wrong, but rather about defending freedom. In the chorus, he asserts that he doesn't build walls by singing songs, and that he’s proud to be an all American singer.
The second verse addresses the issue of tolerance. Some people talk about tolerance, but they won't tolerate a different viewpoint. People are not fine with staying blind to injustices they see every day. Here, Ohora takes a stand for democracy and declares that he'll stand up for it. In the final verse, he gets off his soapbox and gets back behind a guitar with the band. He asserts that he’s not there to say that people are wrong, but he believes that people can come together through a song. He acknowledges that some people take pride in taking sides, but despite this, he’s proud to be an all American singer. He ends the song by affirming that regardless of race or class, people find solace in a song.
Overall, “All American Singer” is a powerful song that speaks to the current state of American society. Ohora addresses issues of politics, tolerance, and the power of music to bring people together. The song is a call for people to listen to one another and come together despite their differences.
Line by Line Meaning
They're rolling out big plans today
The government is implementing major changes.
Passing laws that change what you can say
New laws limit freedom of speech.
And at home we're fighting in the streets
There is political unrest within the country.
over politics and the way things used to be
People disagree on how the country should be run.
It's not about who's right or wrong
Both sides believe they are fighting for what is right.
cause they'll defend their right to being free
People will fight to maintain their freedoms.
I don't build walls by singing songs
The singer believes in bringing people together, not dividing them.
so I'm proud to be an all American singer
The singer is proud to be an American artist who brings people together.
Some people talk of tolerance
Some claim to be tolerant of differing viewpoints.
yet they won't tolerate a different stance
But they will not accept opinions that go against their own.
No they're not fine with staying blind to
They cannot ignore injustices they see every day.
injustices they see every day
There are unfair and unjust things happening regularly.
when it comes to crime and equal pay
Issues of crime and pay inequality are particularly pressing.
I think it's time we find a better way
The singer believes there must be a better way to solve these problems.
and I'll stand up for democracy
The singer will fight for democratic values.
hey I'm proud to be an all American singer
The singer is proud to be an American who stands for democratic values through music.
I'm gonna get down off the soapbox
The singer will no longer lecture people about political issues.
and get back behind a guitar with the band
The singer will return to making music instead.
stop singing songs that draw hard lines
The singer will not create music that divides people further.
that set the stage for chaos and divide
Songs that create division only lead to chaos and further strife.
I'm not here to say you're wrong
The singer does not claim to have all the answers.
but we can come together through a song
The singer believes that music can bring people together despite disagreements.
they take pride in taking sides
Some people believe that choosing a side is a point of pride.
well I'm proud to be an all American singer
The singer is proud to bring people together through music.
I hear talking on the radio
The singer hears discussions on the radio.
of war on thought and conspiracy
There are discussions of widespread distrust and conspiracy.
And some people judge their fellow man
Some people are judgmental of others.
by their party or the color of their skin
They judge people based on their political affiliation or race.
If I see you down the road my friend
The singer does not discriminate based on political affiliation or race.
It don't matter the race or class you're living in
The singer believes that everyone is equal and should be treated as such.
we all find solace in a song
Music can bring people peace and comfort.
so I'm proud to be an all American singer
The singer is proud to bring people together through music, regardless of their differences.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Zephaniah OHora
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind