Handlebars - Flobots

[thechild]

I put this is critical thinking on purpose.

Ok well. I heard the song Handlebars by Flobots and thought the lyrics were a bit strange. And the video even more. All the comments on youtube are people's theories on the meaning of the lyrics. I think it could go several ways. I'm guessing the lyrics are really deep and such, but I wanted to hear what some critical thinkers thought it would be.

Here is the song and video. http://youtube.com/watch?v=AuK2A1ZqoWs

EDIT: Move to chit chat.

[LoneW0lf]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

Oh god, I'm in love with this song.

Ima ask my firends this question too, as well as my get from it is, when its not as late.

[Mans0n]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

Honestly, i have noo idea what you mean about the lyrics. The only meaning i get out of the song is that a person can do alot of stuff for other people i guess. Though this is the first time ive listened to the song.

[devonin]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

I dig why you wanted to put this into CT, but I really don't think it's a CT thread...

Perhaps if someone comes along very shortly with a very in-depth analysis of the lyrics, it can live here, but it's Chit-chat bound sooner rather than later I suspect.

[Sh4d0wD3v1L]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

I know this is CT, and this post is not CT worthy, but if it goes to CC, it won't be so bad.

My friend and I thought about it and basically decided that it's just a guy getting into a conversation with himself about how he can do anything. The thought grows bigger and bigger as the song goes on. "I can ride my bike with no handlebars..." something most people can do...but later in the song, "I can guide a missile by satellite" and "I can end the planet w/ a holocaust" something that very very few people can accomplish, but the thought of him being able to do anything has grown so large that it has come to this.

[Kilroy_x]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

It's an anti-war song. It's calling the current administration immature.

[thunderstrike687]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

Its basically a song about several things. You should watch the video and try to understand it a lot more as well as the lyrics. For one, lots of references to the government. I can lead a nation with a microphone, etc. Also, the video pertains to what America could turn into the way things are going. Cameras on street corners, government control over lots of things they shouldnt have control over, etc. The riot at the end was a display of a result if you continually want to control more and more. Finally, obviously the anti-war message. Basically it is a song about how much we have achieved and how much those achievements can lead to total destruction, and that can be seen from the progression from riding a bike with no handlebars to ending the world due to a (assumed) nuclear holocaust.

PS buy the cd because they are awesome.

[thechild]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

Devonin, I'm not sure if you can but can you move this to CC? Or can any mod/admin who sees this?

[lumphoboextreme]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

Haha, this is one of my favorite songs as of now, I was typing them into mp a couple days ago and people thought they were stupid and didn't have any real meaning. =/

[MalDON]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

Here's my take:

The main phrase "I can ride my bike with no handlebars" suggests that he is free, able to do what he wants without restraints. You can also assume that he is not afraid to just let go, be against the norm.

"Look at me, look at me
hands in the air like it's good to be
ALIVE
and I'm a famous rapper
even when the paths are all crookedy"
He is saying that even though times are bad, he is still successful and happy for being free. The rest of that verse just further explains that although he isn't perfect, he still is proud that he can do anything he wants because he is free.

"I can keep rhythm with no metronome
No metronome
No metronome

I can see your face on the telephone
On the telephone
On the telephone"
Those two verses can be seen as him explaining why the country he lives in is great. A metronome alludes to the marching of huge armies in sync, similar to those in communist countries. In addition, he is proud that his country had advanced technology, to the point where "I can see your face on the telephone."

Again he goes on to state all the positives of his country such as being able to run a business and protest openly "I can lead a nation with a microphone."

The song switches tones and begins the critique of his countries administration. But he doesn't make it all negative. He says that the administration has to option to be good or bad and in the end, the administration is holding the worlds fate on a small decision.

Many people think this song is completely anti-government, but I tend to disagree. If anything I would say this is explaining how his country is a wonderful place to live considering the other options that are available. Compared to a third world country, his country is much better off.

I wrote this on my iPhone so excuse anything odd.

[Kilroy_x]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

It would be odd for the song to actually have those meanings, given that its overall tone never changes and the pattern of most of the lines directly references the first. It's a one note song. I don't think that's bad, but I think too much is being read into it.

[DrugstoreCowboy]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

I got permission for this on ffr

[thunderstrike687]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

I got permission for this on ffr

you are a god.

Someone step plox.

[YoshiSlayer]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

Ok, for the meaning of this song...its about control and the ease of things in society

"I can ride my bike with no handlebars..."
"I can see your face on the telephone..."
"I see the strings that control the systems"
"I can do anything with no assistance"
"I can lead a nation with a microphone"
"I can split the atoms of a molecule"
"I can guide a missile by satellite"
"I can hit a target through a telescope"

it all starts out simple...like riding a bike. but as time went on the more difficult tasks became as easy as riding a bike with no handle bars. the government has too much control, and something as difficult as guiding a missile has become an easy task. The government should not have as much power as it does because in all reality...if they want to do something they can do just like that...no one is stoping them

[MrZombie]

Re: Handlebars - Flobots

When I watched the video, my take on it seemed accurate to me.

He and his buddy are obviously young best friends. They separate ways in the beginning.

One friend takes the life of the working class, and the other takes the life through the free-world.

And they end up clashing at the end. Going from best friends to enemies.