I Was a Teenage Anarchist Lyrics
Looking for a revolution
I had the style, I had the ambition
Read all the authors, I knew the right slogans
There was no war but the class war I was ready to set the world on fire
I was a teenage anarchist
Looking for a revolution
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
Do you remember
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
But the politics were too convenient
In the depths of their humanity, all I saw was bloodless ideology
With freedom as their doctrine, guess who was the new authority
I was a teenage anarchist
But the politics were too convenient
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
Do you remember
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
But then the scene got too rigid
It was a mob mentality
They set their rifle sights on me
Narrow visions of autonomy
You want me to surrender my identity
I was a teenage anarchist
The revolution was lie
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
Do you remember
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
When you were young, and you wanted to set the world on fire
I was a teenage anarchist
I was a teenage anarchist
I was a teenage anarchist
the song is about how when he was young he wanted change, and the only way he saw change was through anarchy, when you are young things are that black and white you dont realise the complexities of systems in society that have been there for thousands of years, its not just as simple as burn it all down build a new, but he goes one step further to say that the anarchist scene just like every other scene unfortunately ends up telling you how you should be an anarchist etc, which is the reverse of what the word even means. he wants change in society just as much and just as badly as always but with age and experience he has realised that pure narrow minded anarchism eg violence, chaos, disorder doesn't actually deliever what he wants, it's too simplistic. but i do think he wrote this because of how he is being treated by past fans and peers. i mean he said in an interview that people in other bands won't even talk to him anymore, they will turn away because of a sound change. its stupid, and totally against what punk is, punk is about doing what you want aslong as it doesn't harm anybody, living as an individual and doing your own thing, and it's about holding people to account and sparking and creating change for the better. a so called "punk" who can't recognise somebodies individualism isn't a punk at all. these guys are on a major label so what? that means good, catchy, honest music that is talking about social problems is being heard by even more people, more people are getting the message, they are getting paid better for doing a good ting, nothing wrong with that, and the label recognises the power of the band so much that they are promoting an act that would like nothing more than to see that label with less power. you want real punk bands who actually follow the idea of punk in it's purist form listen to against me, rise against nofx, pennywise, strung out, bad religion, off with their heads
Mech is absolutely right.
The more I listen to this, the more I feel this is Gabel's goodbye to punk rock, explaining that he's ready to grow and move on.
"I was a teenage anarchist But then the scene got too rigid It was mob mentality They set their rifle sights on me Narrow visions of autonomy You want me to surrender my identity..."
A perfect example of this exact thing happening can be found in a number of songs' comments sections on this very website. I mean, in regards to AM!, the punk rock community has definitely turned into a mob mentality, and he's become public enemy #1.
Can't really blame Gabel for wanting to broaden his horizons and move on when his previous fan-base mostly consisted of fickle and jaded kids who are terrified of "their" bands changing outside of the strict expectations they place, hating on any band that doesn't sound the exact same forever.
Plus, if you look at Gabel's influences, it's not surprising that his music is taking a turn towards more of an 80s rockish sound. He's covered a few The Replacements tracks, even. Shouldn't be very shocking to anyone.
I'm all for changing sounds and experimenting with different things, but my problem has more to do with what this site is about: the lyrics. I know people change as they get older blah blah blah but this is a giant "fuck you" to his past, his friends, and his old fans. "The politics were too convenient." Honestly? That's the worst excuse ever. I would've rather him say "the cash was too easy" of all things..
I'm all for changing sounds and experimenting with different things, but my problem has more to do with what this site is about: the lyrics. I know people change as they get older blah blah blah but this is a giant "fuck you" to his past, his friends, and his old fans. "The politics were too convenient." Honestly? That's the worst excuse ever. I would've rather him say "the cash was too easy" of all things..
From watching some interviews with Tom about this new record and the way AM! has gone in the past few years I think he is saying "fuck you" to his former friends and former fans because he felt that he was ostracized for insignificant reasons. Here is one of the interviews http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPiRukpWybI
From watching some interviews with Tom about this new record and the way AM! has gone in the past few years I think he is saying "fuck you" to his former friends and former fans because he felt that he was ostracized for insignificant reasons. Here is one of the interviews http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPiRukpWybI
Tom talks about people he has known for years and "Now they won't even say hi to me in a public place...because my band is on a major label." "If that's what punk rock meant, than I don't want...
Tom talks about people he has known for years and "Now they won't even say hi to me in a public place...because my band is on a major label." "If that's what punk rock meant, than I don't want any part of it."
I couldn't agree more about that statement or those in the song. When "punk" kids (or whatever 'scene') view the world through a binary ideological lens than they become no different than those who contribute to the mainstream polarization of the two parties. It likely was a business related decision to sign to a major label, but what I think most "punk" kids don't understand is how complicated life starts getting out of highschool, especially 4 years out. You want to play music for a living and have a family, and be able to go to the dentist, and send your kid to college, or travel. You don't want to be 30 and trying to impress angsty teens about how legit you are.
The lyrics "it was a mob mentality" hit the nail on the head. There is no room for individuality in ideologically driven groups (e.g. anarchists) when the principles of the ideology are so limiting that they cannot allow the synthesis of other viewpoints.
More power to him (and the rest of the band) for growing up and having the strength to follow their own identities. And I dig the sound of the album too.
I understand the two views expressed above. I really do. I understand that AM! looks to be doing both of these things. I problem this the song has to do with the lyrics "was an anarchist" Why not fault the scene for not be anarchist? Why piss on it and deliver to everyone their worst fears. I hear this song and I think it means "Yeah, I'm a sell-out. Deal with it." This is the worst attitude to take. I get that the working class have very little options to live the good-life, but there is a way to...
I understand the two views expressed above. I really do. I understand that AM! looks to be doing both of these things. I problem this the song has to do with the lyrics "was an anarchist" Why not fault the scene for not be anarchist? Why piss on it and deliver to everyone their worst fears. I hear this song and I think it means "Yeah, I'm a sell-out. Deal with it." This is the worst attitude to take. I get that the working class have very little options to live the good-life, but there is a way to do this and not come off as part of the problem. Hell! Green Day is more punk (for me meaning has more integrity) than AM!
If he really wanted to he could continue the class war by pointing out that anyone who makes there money with their back or their brain is a worker...that everyone has a boss...that the capitalist will sell you the rope you hang him with...starting his one minor label...continuing to push new bands... supporting on-line piracy.... basically using his new found ability to reach larger audiences to continue to promoting subversive thought...
I could give a funk if AM! is on a major...So were nearly ALL of the first wave punk bands at some point...What I hate is a turning of the back to class antagonism.
pretty much tom's relationship with punk rock.
I agree. I'm listening to this CD and at best I would call it a satire on radio rock? I mean what the fuck? I miss the heartfelt screams and at least searching for a former clarity still had some heart. New wave was the breaking point.
I agree. I'm listening to this CD and at best I would call it a satire on radio rock? I mean what the fuck? I miss the heartfelt screams and at least searching for a former clarity still had some heart. New wave was the breaking point.
Mech, you hit the nail on the head perfectly.
Mech, you hit the nail on the head perfectly.
I honestly feel bad for AM! They're obviously wanting to go in new directions, as Gabel's taste in music is broadening and changing, but the punk kids will constantly be here to remind them that they feel abandoned.
I honestly feel bad for AM! They're obviously wanting to go in new directions, as Gabel's taste in music is broadening and changing, but the punk kids will constantly be here to remind them that they feel abandoned.
this isn't an apology or explanation... or a goodbye to punk rock. It's a nostalgiac recall of his naivete. Sorry to tell you young guys, but wait until you get to your mid 20s and then listen to this song and you will understand what Gabel means. I won't comment on whether it's apathy or enlightenment... but it's natural and rational in this age. I am all for a utopian society but as Gable says "All I saw was a bloodless ideology with freedom as their doctrine"
i am in my mid twenties, actually, and i completely understand the point of view that this song was written from. everyone can think back to their younger, more idealistic days. however, not everyone writes songs about it. against me has taken more flak than any other recent band that i can recall about "selling out" and compromising their ideals, and i think it's absurd to think that tom wasn't thinking about that when he wrote this song. my comment was really more flippant than anything, of course it's "about" more than just an apology, but i sincerely doubt he...
i am in my mid twenties, actually, and i completely understand the point of view that this song was written from. everyone can think back to their younger, more idealistic days. however, not everyone writes songs about it. against me has taken more flak than any other recent band that i can recall about "selling out" and compromising their ideals, and i think it's absurd to think that tom wasn't thinking about that when he wrote this song. my comment was really more flippant than anything, of course it's "about" more than just an apology, but i sincerely doubt he wrote it simply because he found himself gripped in nostalgia one evening.
I'm sure there are parallels about punk music in this song, but this song isn't about the punk music scene. This song is about Tom Gabel's experience with the Anarchist scene. He talks about it a lot in his interviews. A lot of his fans, especially his anarchist fans, have been pretty angry with Against Me! since they signed with a major label and as they've gotten older, their lyrics have shifted away from that ideology when compared to their earlier songs. This song is pretty straight forward, there's no mythology here, he was in fact, a teenage anarchist. I know its fun to do, but let's not mystify this too much. Sometimes songs don't have deep meanings, sometimes they are what they are. And this song is what it is.
They're a great band and I'm just happy that they cover a lot of ground in their lyrics. But this song is just summing up what he's been saying for many years in his interviews and putting all the anarchist questions/answers to rest.
just remember punk is all about not following the rules, and there are aparenetly rules in punk now, so by doing something that's not punk, it is still punk
this is a sad song, it's about how someone use to be an anarchist (obviously) and they were ready for anything, wanting to set the world on fire, but now they are older and gave up on those hopes and dreams because it seems so unreasonable
little do they know anarchism doesn't have to be all revolution and setting the world on fire, anarchism can be anything you want it to be, that's the beauty of it
I'm going have to argue your point of "little do they know anarchism doesn't have to be all revolution and setting the world on fire, anarchism can be anything you want it to be, that's the beauty of it "
I'm going have to argue your point of "little do they know anarchism doesn't have to be all revolution and setting the world on fire, anarchism can be anything you want it to be, that's the beauty of it "
Because Gabel fully realizes the simplicity and, for a lack of a better word, hypocrisy of anarchy when he says ; "I was a teenage anarchist But the politics were too convenient"
Because Gabel fully realizes the simplicity and, for a lack of a better word, hypocrisy of anarchy when he says ; "I was a teenage anarchist But the politics were too convenient"
He knows how easy it is to be an anarchist, the rules are supposed to be defined by yourself, yet when they put out something radio...
He knows how easy it is to be an anarchist, the rules are supposed to be defined by yourself, yet when they put out something radio friendly they've "sold-out" and broke the rules of anarchy. I think Gabel is just sick and tired of having to explain his actions to everybody, like in Unprotected Sex with Multiple Partners "Coordinate the marketing, label, publicity, touring. Consult on, timing and presentation. Go ahead put this in context. It's 3 points on production, 15% to management, 10% to the agent, 5% to legal representation. We call it our insurance plan to stretch the inevitable as far as we can. Gotta make your money while you got the chance, do whatever it takes to sell this."
Gabel doesn't feel the need to defend himself anymore.
Which some may say is real anarchy.
I'm not really a believer in negative posts but I felt I should at least put something it response to the "little do they know" when really the whole song strikes me as being about knowing exactly what you're talking about. This song is an attack on the punk rock anarchist scene not on anarchism in general. The only people who should be taking offense at this song are all those planet-x fest jerks playing sloppy covers of "Sink Florida Sink" drinking a King Cobra waiting for their ride to the hostel.
I'm not really a believer in negative posts but I felt I should at least put something it response to the "little do they know" when really the whole song strikes me as being about knowing exactly what you're talking about. This song is an attack on the punk rock anarchist scene not on anarchism in general. The only people who should be taking offense at this song are all those planet-x fest jerks playing sloppy covers of "Sink Florida Sink" drinking a King Cobra waiting for their ride to the hostel.
I think you missed the point. hes not saying thats what anarchy is, just thats how it is perceived by "teenage anarchists." As someone who went through what he did, and seem to have matured in the same way, I look back, and its true. If I saw someone try to dress like a punk, but didnt like them, they were a poser. If they were an anarchist, but not my friend, they were a poser. And my answer for everything was violence. SOAD came out with the song BYOB, and in the chorus he says "why dont the presidents...
I think you missed the point. hes not saying thats what anarchy is, just thats how it is perceived by "teenage anarchists." As someone who went through what he did, and seem to have matured in the same way, I look back, and its true. If I saw someone try to dress like a punk, but didnt like them, they were a poser. If they were an anarchist, but not my friend, they were a poser. And my answer for everything was violence. SOAD came out with the song BYOB, and in the chorus he says "why dont the presidents fight the war?" Seemed to make sense to me at the time. Let the fucker die. Now I look back at a lot of my philosophies and I see a bunch of flaws. And I notice that if you didnt fit in, you were a sell out. A part of the man.
wait there's rules to being punk rock? sounds like hot topic finally got to punk. another take on this song is that maybe the punk scene wasn't accepting of laura jane grace. a scene that accepts the unacceptable but still wont accept you. the revolution was a lie or just one of those ideas that you always talk about but never really goes anywhere.
I love how this song seems to suggest that Tom Gabel is finally out from the weight that being at the forefront of a brutal movement like the crusty punk rock anarchy scene can put you under. I love the opening frames of the video for this song. When that uber catchy riff (and whisper ah ah ah ah vocals) start pumping up and Gabel runs into the frame I just got kind of washed over with this feeling that he's finally free of all that mock-idealism fueled drama that's been nipping at his heals for so long. Against Me! were worshiped for songs like T.S.R and Walking is Still Honest etc (as they should have been) and then when they moved on and made New Wave the got crucified. Listening to this song you can almost hear them saying "you may call us capitalist traitors and sell out pussies but while you were busy gossiping we were making the catchiest music of our lives. That's my song meaning interpretation for you.
As a bonus check them out performing this on Leno (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7KCwYtZKWQ). He calls them "One of the best punk rock bands ever." I hope this song makes them ten million dollars.
Great song. I think it's "They set their rifle sights on me" though.
If this can happen to a group like AM!, it can happen to many others.
I felt a bit sad when I realized what this song was about.