In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Drill sergeant, I got a word for you
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Shame on you
You say you served your country, while I'm young
Shame on you
Looks my mind up, handing me guns
Bye-bye Mom and Dad and all
Just incase there's failure
I could be blaming you
But I've got something to tell you
Drill sergeant, I got a word for you
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Aim on you
Level their buildings, destroy their soil
Aim on you
Did you finally figure where to run that oil?
Fuck it, why cry if a man should die
When there's probable failure?
Or I could just aim at you
But I got something to tell ya
Drill sergeant, I got a word for you
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Drill sergeant, I got a word for you
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Ohh, I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
Ohh, I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
Ohh, I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
Ohh, I'm not going to war
Hey
Hate when they call me superstar
Do I look like a superstar?
Yet unreachable and very far
Ever noticed I'm right here wit' y'all?
I cover my face because they do not need to see
I ain't no gangsta or no thug, I am just being me
The world smells of drama
So I cover up my nose
The faces like film leavin' out too long, gets overexposed
Getting praised by magazines
From the girlfriends in my clothes
I hope they still love me when I shun away 'cause I am afraid to blow
Want war?
(Well) War We'll give
(We'll be rocking this) Bandana
(Well) So you can't see shit
Now the fear of blowing up
Definitely takes it's toll
It sends it's demons down to your mind to take control
If it thinks it's got my mind
It better think again
I got the pleasure of the piano and this powerful pen
But you (you!)
You want fifteen minutes to shine, what's your concept?
What's so interesting? What's your desire?
Soon as you get your cover story
And your precious headlines
So sorry, so sorry, so sorry
They'll just fuck you from behind
Want war?
(Well) War we'll give
(We'll be rocking this) Bandana
(Well) So you can't see shit
I don't wanna blow up
I'm smiling 'cause I know
All the pieces that make me me will glisten from my soul
My self-esteem is not a fake
It comes from within
Come and take a picture
I'll sign whatever you want my friend
Still (still)
Still (still)
Yeah
War
Want war?
(Well) War we'll give
(We'll be rocking this) Bandana
(Well) So you can't see shit
Want war?
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Shame on you
You say you served your country, while I'm young
Shame on you
Looks my mind up, handing me guns
Bye-bye Mom and Dad and all
Just incase there's failure
I could be blaming you
But I've got something to tell you
Drill sergeant, I got a word for you
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Aim on you
Level their buildings, destroy their soil
Aim on you
Did you finally figure where to run that oil?
Fuck it, why cry if a man should die
When there's probable failure?
Or I could just aim at you
But I got something to tell ya
Drill sergeant, I got a word for you
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Maybe there's another way
That we can bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump
Drill sergeant, I got a word for you
I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
I'ma cash in beautiful books
I'm gonna get the Barnes and Nobles store (Barnes and Noble store)
You must think you're Orson Wells
And this is 1954
You don't understand liberty until
Someone speaks for y'all (someone speaks for y'all)
Ohh, I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
Ohh, I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
Ohh, I'm not going to war (I'm not going to war)
Ohh, I'm not going to war
Hey
Hate when they call me superstar
Do I look like a superstar?
Yet unreachable and very far
Ever noticed I'm right here wit' y'all?
I cover my face because they do not need to see
I ain't no gangsta or no thug, I am just being me
The world smells of drama
So I cover up my nose
The faces like film leavin' out too long, gets overexposed
Getting praised by magazines
From the girlfriends in my clothes
I hope they still love me when I shun away 'cause I am afraid to blow
Want war?
(Well) War We'll give
(We'll be rocking this) Bandana
(Well) So you can't see shit
Now the fear of blowing up
Definitely takes it's toll
It sends it's demons down to your mind to take control
If it thinks it's got my mind
It better think again
I got the pleasure of the piano and this powerful pen
But you (you!)
You want fifteen minutes to shine, what's your concept?
What's so interesting? What's your desire?
Soon as you get your cover story
And your precious headlines
So sorry, so sorry, so sorry
They'll just fuck you from behind
Want war?
(Well) War we'll give
(We'll be rocking this) Bandana
(Well) So you can't see shit
I don't wanna blow up
I'm smiling 'cause I know
All the pieces that make me me will glisten from my soul
My self-esteem is not a fake
It comes from within
Come and take a picture
I'll sign whatever you want my friend
Still (still)
Still (still)
Yeah
War
Want war?
(Well) War we'll give
(We'll be rocking this) Bandana
(Well) So you can't see shit
Want war?
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Anti-War
love n.e.r.d.'s latest album to death. Their sound is so rocking and filled with funk. BUT I can't help but notice they screwed up the orson welles reference. He wrote 1984 rather than "1954". Unless I'm missing something, this is embarassing. But yo, they're still f-f-fresssh.
I was confused about that "1954" part too. It has to be intentional because otherwise Pharell is a dumbass.
Except George Orwell wrote "1984". This must be a completely different reference.
Orwell wrote the novel 1984 in the year 1954.
the lyrics are a bit wrong......
[Chorus] Drill Sergeant i got a word for you, Im not goin to war (Im not goin to war) Imma cash in good with books, And work at the Barnes and Nobel Store(Barnes and Nobel Store) You must think you're Orson Wells And this is 1954 You don't understand liberty until Someone speaks for yours (Someone speaks for yours)
Shame on you Say to serve your country while im young Shame on you Mixing my mind up handing me guns Bye Bye mom and dad and all Just in case theres failure I could be blamin you But ive got something to tell ya
[Chorus]
Aim on you Level there buildings destroy there soil Aim on you Did you finally figure where to run that oil? Fuck it Why cry if a man should die, when there's probable failure? Or I could just aim at you But Ive got something to tell ya...
[Chorus]
Maybe there's another way That we can baa baa baa baa, baa baa baa baaa [4x]
[Chorus]
Oooh, I'm not going to war, i'm not going to [4x] Hey!
George Orwell wrote "1984".
Orson Welles was in the movie industry.
Its 1954...I understand the reference. The French left Vietnam and the Viet Minh took over the North Vietnam. Even though the US didnt enter war until later this is basically began sending support to the South Vietnamese