Through Being Cool

I think it's about being true to yourself, not worrying about being "cool," even to such an extent that you fight against "cool" people. The "young alien types" are the disaffected Devo fans who are urged to confront the "evil spuds" - people who might be "cool" but are hurting everyone/society.

Awesome song that I listened to hundreds of time back in the 80's when they released the NT album. what makes this a great song is that its "DEVO" claiming that they're Through Being Cool.... I mean, do you really think that anyone (even themselves) thought they were cool? Beyond that however the "..rearrange your face, we always liked Picasso anyway.." lines are great. Funny thing about "Not" being cool is that the Mothersbaugh brothers went on to make a heck of a lot more money and acclain than many of their alledged "cool" peers from back in the day. I always thought Devo were a perfect band for the 80's, fun, politically and socially astute, and just plain goofy at times. I understand that they are quie smart, perhaps even Mensa members? should this be the case, I would like them to build a time machine so I could travel back to 1985!

This song really should have made it to the soundtrack to Heavy Metal (the movie).

This has always been one of my favorite songs (Devo or otherwise).

I agree with most other posters saying it's about nonconformity, but what's with the line "eliminate the ninnies and the twits"? What makes someone a ninny or twit? I've seen outsiders get insultingly called that, so it confused me.

Really good song besides. I'm just hung up on that line.

I think this song's about being one of those weird, geeky little kids and finally getting back at the mean popular kids who are always teasing you, making fun of you, and generally tormenting you.

Hahahaha, I tend to think of this song as poking fun at (contemporary)hipsters-even though that was 20 years after this song was recoreded!

This song is another one where seeing the video is essential to getting the meaning. The Smart Patrol is DEVO's idea of a kids clique. They arm them and dress them and in the video they go around and eliminate the people that DEVO sees as ridiculous in contemporary society.

Thats what the whole song is about.

The actual music is also important to interpreting the song. Devo's new post "Whip It" audience was presumably looking forward to hearing a new hit from their favorite band, so New Traditionalists opens with - a melody-lacking tune that wasn't going to get anywhere near Casey Kasem's Top 40.

Then again, the full electronic nature of the song may be directed toward Devo's older fans, who were decrying the band's move away from guitars.