Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Rebel Anthem for Modern Times
Lyrics
Think I’ll dust ’em off, put ’em back up on the shelf
In case my little baby girl is in need
Am I coming out of left field?
Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now
I been feeling it since 1966, now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now
Let me kick it like it’s 1986, now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Got another mouth to feed
Leave her with a baby sitter, mama, call the grave digger
Gone with the fallen leaves
Am I coming out of left field?
Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now
I been feeling it since 1966, now
Might’ve had your fill, but you feel it still
Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now
Let me kick it like it’s 1986, now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
We could fight a war for peace
(Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now)
Give in to that easy living
Goodbye to my hopes and dreams
Stop flipping for my enemies
We could wait until the walls come down
(Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now)
It’s time to give a little to the
Kids in the middle, but oh ’til it falls
Won’t bother me
Is it coming?
Is it coming?
Is it coming?
Is it coming?
Is it coming?
Is it coming back?
Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, yeah
Your love is an abyss for my heart to eclipse, now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now
I’ve been feeling it since 1966, now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now
Let me kick it like it’s 1986, now
Might be over now, but I feel it still
Might’ve had your fill, but you feel it still
In the landscape of modern music, rarely does a song come along that captures the zeitgeist of rebellion and the timeless urge to kick against the pricks while being cloaked in a slick veneer of pop sensibility. Portugal. The Man’s ‘Feel It Still’ is an intricately layered track that manages to do just that, proving itself as an earworm with depth that warrants a closer inspection beyond its infectious grooves.
‘Feel It Still’ is not just a chart-topping hit; it is a musical collage, threading the spirit of decades past with the present’s urgency. The lyrics are a cryptic fusion of personal anecdote and political commentary—a blend that invites listeners to find their own meaning within the bounds of its infectious rhythm.
A Nostalgic Groove with a Modern Pulse
The track’s undeniable hooks and baseline pull from the nostalgic well of the late ’60s and ’80s, yet it’s undeniably fresh, solidifying Portugal. The Man’s place in contemporary music. The verses mention historical years — 1966 and 1986 — signaling not just a reflection on specific timeframes but on the essence of the cultural and political upheaval that defined them.
However, the references are not merely a call to the past but rather a mirror to the present, where those same undercurrents of discontent and desire for change continue to resonate. ‘Feel It Still’ succeeds in encapsulating that ongoing struggle between contentment and restlessness, a tune you can dance to but also march to the beat of.
Unveiling the Hidden Rebellion
Far from just a catchy chorus, the repeated lines, ‘I’m a rebel just for kicks, now,’ serve as the song’s beating heart. It’s a declaration of defiance that’s deceptively lighthearted. In a world marred by conflict and conformity, the act of being a rebel for something as simple as the pursuit of fun becomes a profound statement.
The seemingly whimsical rebellion is actually a mask for the larger protest against societal boundaries and historical cycles that continue to shape our lives. This line dares the listener to peel back layers of personal and collective history, questioning the norms we’ve grown accustomed to.
The Gravity of Responsibility in a Feel-Good Hit
Beneath the buoyant beats, the song touches upon personal responsibility, as seen in lines like ‘Got another mouth to feed’ and ‘Leave her with a babysitter, mama, call the grave digger.’ Here, the band weaves the common threads of familial duty and life’s inevitable end, capturing how these universal truths coexist with our individual quests for joy and rebellion.
The juxtaposition of life’s everyday struggles with the carefree rebellion that pervades the track is a testament to the complexity of the human experience. It showcases how these moments of abandon are not an escape from reality but a vital part of coping with it.
Memorable Lines That Echo Across Generations
‘Goodbye to my hopes and dreams’ – a line that starkly contrasts with the feel-good ambiance of the melody yet deepens the song’s message of dissent. The song doesn’t shy away from the sense of loss we feel as we watch the ideals of our youth become compromised or outpaced by the changing tides of time.
This phrase, alongside others in the song, acts as a rallying cry for anyone who’s felt beaten down by the status quo, rallying the disillusioned to find solace in the strength of their convictions, regardless of the odds.
An Anthem for the Kids in the Middle
In what might be the song’s most socially charged lyric, ‘Give a little to the kids in the middle,’ Portugal. The Man recognizes those caught between the extremes of political and social discourse. ‘Feel It Still’ becomes an anthem for moderation and understanding in a polarized world, urging compromise and support for the ‘kids’ who are our future.
Moreover, the song suggests that change won’t come from the established extremes but from those who inhabit the vast, nuanced middle ground. It’s a powerful call for forward momentum from the heart of the majority rather than the fringes.
