I think this song is about FFDP, and metal itself, entering into the mainstream.
The song lists pop culture icons, then comes in with:
I am what you fear most, //All American
I am what you need, //Living the dream
I am what you made me, //What you fear most
I am the American dream. //Anarchy
Some metal fans don't like the idea of metal becoming mainstream, exactly what FFDP has done (what you fear most). But arguably, something is to be gained from going mainstream (what you need). And FFDP is only popular because of all the metal fans that listen to them (what you made me). Metal is entering mainstream culture, and FFDP has its part in that (the American dream).
The second time this verse comes along, it mostly repeats what was introduced before, but the last line subverts what they'd said earlier. Despite being a part of the mainstream, they are still themselves. Being a part of the mainstream does not mean being homogenized.
Look at the list they present in the song. How are things like Mickey Mouse, Eastwood, and Tupac related other than being a part of American pop culture? The anarchy line deconstructs the myth that in order to be popular, you must be the same as everything else that's popular.
I'm not selling out, I'm buying in!
FFDP didn't have to change who they were to earn their popularity, and they aren't going to spurn it just because some popular things are superficial.
I will not be forgotten, this is my time to shine.
I've got the scars to prove it. Only the strong survive!
I'm not afraid of dying, everyone has their time.
I've never favored weakness. Welcome to the pride!
They aren't going to throw away their fame. They earned it; they deserve it. They know they won't be the hot thing forever, but for now they'll enjoy the spotlight. And maybe one day people will see them in the same light that they see Johnny Cash, and PBR, Jack Daniels, Nascar, Facebook, Myspace, iPod, Bill Gates, Smith and Wesson, NRA, Firewater, Pale Face, Dimebag, Tupac, Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop, Disneyland, White House, JFK, and Mickey Mouse, John Wayne, Springsteen, Eastwood, James Dean, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Playboy, Text me, NFL, NBA, Brett Favre, King James.
I think this song is about FFDP, and metal itself, entering into the mainstream.
The song lists pop culture icons, then comes in with:
Some metal fans don't like the idea of metal becoming mainstream, exactly what FFDP has done (what you fear most). But arguably, something is to be gained from going mainstream (what you need). And FFDP is only popular because of all the metal fans that listen to them (what you made me). Metal is entering mainstream culture, and FFDP has its part in that (the American dream).
The second time this verse comes along, it mostly repeats what was introduced before, but the last line subverts what they'd said earlier. Despite being a part of the mainstream, they are still themselves. Being a part of the mainstream does not mean being homogenized.
Look at the list they present in the song. How are things like Mickey Mouse, Eastwood, and Tupac related other than being a part of American pop culture? The anarchy line deconstructs the myth that in order to be popular, you must be the same as everything else that's popular.
FFDP didn't have to change who they were to earn their popularity, and they aren't going to spurn it just because some popular things are superficial.
They aren't going to throw away their fame. They earned it; they deserve it. They know they won't be the hot thing forever, but for now they'll enjoy the spotlight. And maybe one day people will see them in the same light that they see Johnny Cash, and PBR, Jack Daniels, Nascar, Facebook, Myspace, iPod, Bill Gates, Smith and Wesson, NRA, Firewater, Pale Face, Dimebag, Tupac, Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop, Disneyland, White House, JFK, and Mickey Mouse, John Wayne, Springsteen, Eastwood, James Dean, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Playboy, Text me, NFL, NBA, Brett Favre, King James.