311-Come Original by 311 Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Call for Authenticity in Music
Lyrics
You got to
You got to
[Chorus]
You got to come original, you got to come original
All entertainers come original
You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers
Hear why
To come original it ain’t nothin’ strange
You got to represent you got come full range
Full range of emotion full range of styles
When you come to town you’ll have them
Comin’ for miles
[Chorus]
Black Eyed Peas they comin’ full range and
NOFX they comin’ full range and
Roni Size he’s comin’ full range
The one Mr. Vegas you know it ain’t easy
A warning to the crews out there who think they’re hot
If you’re not original rockers you will get shot
Down by the kids neglectin’ your art, the stuff you did
Eventually it get so bad puts you to bed
‘Cause when the lightning flashes sweet electricity
All the world then stands revealed with the clarity
Of raw voltage, briefly we see and the hope is
You’ll be able to tell just what dope is
[Chorus]
Funk slap bass mixed with the dancehall and
Hip-hop beats and punk guitar and
Deadly on the mic is the one SA
The name is 311 and you know it ain’t easy
This is not a test there’s no time to mope
How you gonna cope with radioactive isotope
And boss dj illness upon you now quickly
Infecting you fast upon the airwaves
This message brought to you by the so large system
Activate and attune yourself with meditation
And green plants they’ve got mad life they’re sentient
They’re beautiful as you and they like to dance
Everything we do we gotta come original
Put your hand up in the air and prepare for battle
Sit upon the rhythm like a tire upon a rim
We do it non-stop and then we do it again
Some a them whine and some a them bitch
They can not do it never switch
Comin’ up from the heart and
Delivered with a wild pitch
Sit up on top the rhythm like a wild stallion
This is the ruling system
Come original you got to come original
All entertainers come original
You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers come original
You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers come original
You got to come original you got to come original
All entertainers
Come original
Amidst the soundscape of the late ’90s, a band named 311 carved a niche with a blend of rock, rap, reggae, and funk. Their message was distinct, their vibe eclectic, and their rhythm infectious. In their seminal track ‘Come Original,’ 311 channels a powerful message to musicians and artists everywhere, admonishing the importance of authenticity in a world that often favors imitation over innovation.
The song isn’t just a mere call to arms for those in the entertainment industry; it’s a pulsating anthem that encapsulates the ethos of an era where originality was the currency of cool. With every line, 311 chisels out a manifesto for uniqueness against the backdrop of an increasingly homogenized musical landscape.
The Sonic Melting Pot: Styles Collide in ‘Come Original’
311’s unique sound is a testament to the very message they preach: originality. Fusing together elements from various musical styles, the band creates a sound that is entirely their own. Tracks like ‘Come Original’ illustrate this melting pot approach, showcasing a daring mix of influences from rock to dancehall, punk to hip-hop. Each of these genres carries its own history, its own aesthetics – and when 311 brings them together, they make musical alchemy.
The polyrhythmic energy of the track isn’t just a product of their diverse influences but also a demonstration of their technical prowess. The song’s melody and structure dare listeners to categorize it into a single genre, further reinforcing the notion that authenticity isn’t about fitting into a box but exploding it from within.
Shots Fired: Warning to the Copycat Crews
In the lines of ‘Come Original,’ 311 issues a stern warning to artists who rely on emulation rather than innovation. The reference to ‘original rockers’ who will ‘get shot down by the kids’ speaks to the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision instead of watering down content to cater to trends. It’s a bold statement about the survival of the fittest in the creative jungle – a reminder that those who mimic will fade into obscurity, overshadowed by the lightning flashes of true originality.
The words evoke a sense of immediacy and struggle, yet they’re also an encouragement to aspiring artists to forge their own paths. It’s a rallying cry for integrity in the arts, even if the easier route might be to follow and replicate what has been successful for others.
The Charge of Authenticity: Come Full Range
The lyric ‘You got to represent, you got come full range,’ extends beyond the realm of music. It calls for a full spectrum of human emotion and experience in creativity. Authenticity is about diving deep into the well of personal experiences and expressing them without reservation. This truthfulness becomes the connective tissue between the artist and the audience, with vulnerability serving as the linchpin of genuine artistry.
By encouraging artists to explore a ‘full range of emotion, full range of styles,’ 311 champions the idea that originality is the result of being fearlessly multifaceted. In doing so, the band leads by example, showing audiences that to come original is not just to be different, but to be unapologetically comprehensive in one’s artistic expression.
Decoding Lyricism: What Dope Really Is
‘Clarity of raw voltage, briefly we see and the hope is, you’ll be able to tell just what dope is.’ Through these lines, 311 posits that moments of genuine originality are rare but vivid, like a bolt of lightning that provides a fleeting glimpse into what is truly ‘dope.’ The term here isn’t just a nod to hip-hop vernacular but an encapsulation of what it means to be exceptional, powerful, and emotionally resonant in a saturated artform.
The electricity that 311 refers to can be seen as a metaphor for the spark of genius that burns within the creator. It’s an ephemeral burst that, when harnessed, shines a penetrating light on the pretenders and imitators, separating the wheat from the chaff in a world where everyone is jockeying for a spot on the stage.
Enduring Lines: Resistance Through Rhythm
As the chorus declares, ‘You got to come original, all entertainers come original,’ it becomes evident that the line itself is an anthem. It embodies the enduring nature of the song’s theme, repeated like a mantra throughout the piece. Image-wise, it recalls an artist standing before the masses, urging them to stand tall with authenticity and persistence.
The repetition in the chorus doesn’t signify a lack of creativity; on the contrary, it’s a strategic reinforcement of the song’s central message. Each reiteration is a call-to-action for the listener, an encouragement to keep pushing the boundaries of their creative endeavors. And thus, the memorable lines of ‘Come Original’ dance like a tire upon a rim, driving the song forward, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who hear its call.
