Listen Up by Oasis Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Anthem of Urban Isolation and Rebellion
Lyrics
What’s the time said today
I’m gonna speak my mind
Take me up to the top of the world
I want to see my crime
Day by day
There’s a man in a suit
Who’s gonna make you pay
For the thoughts that you think
And the words they won’t let you say
One fine day
Gonna leave you all behind
It wouldn’t be so bad
If I had more time
Sailing down a river alone
I’ve been tryin’ to find my way back home
But I don’t believe in magic
Life is automatic
But I don’t mind being on my own
No I don’t mind being on my own
Listen up
What’s the time said today
I’m gonna speak my mind
Take me up to the top of the world
I want to see my crime
Day by day
There’s a man in a suit
Who’s gonna make you pay
For the thoughts that you think
And the words they won’t let you say
One fine day
Gonna leave you all behind
Wouldn’t be so bad
If I had more time
Sailing down a river alone
I’ve been tryin’ to find my way back home
But I don’t believe in magic
Life is automatic
But I don’t mind being on my own
No I don’t mind being on my own
No I don’t mind being on my own
I said that I don’t mind being on my own
Sailing down a river alone
I’ve been tryin’ to find my way back home
But I don’t believe in magic
Life is automatic
But I don’t mind being on my own
I said that I don’t mind being on my own
No I don’t mind being on my own
I said that I don’t mind being on my own
No I don’t mind being on my own
I said that I don’t mind being on my own
Oasis, the quintessential band of the ’90s Britpop movement, had an uncanny ability to tap into the zeitgeist of their era, fusing rousing anthems with an undercurrent of disenchantment. In ‘Listen Up,’ a b-side that has achieved cult status among their fanbase, we witness a raw, less polished but equally compelling side of their songwriting prowess.
The track, though devoid of the radio-friendly sheen of some of their hits, is an audio mosaic of individualism, rebellion, and the quest for authenticity in an oppressively conformist society. It’s a piece that reflects the band’s and indeed the era’s complex relationship with fame, autonomy, and the relentless march of time.
The Cry for Authenticity in a Conformist World
From the opening lines, ‘Listen Up’ is a battle cry for personal expression. The urgency in the phrase ‘What’s the time said today I’m gonna speak my mind’ captures the inescapable pressure of societal expectations and deadening routine. The repetition of the command ‘Listen up’ is less a request and more a demand for attention, conveying a sense of desperation to be heard in an indifferent world.
The ‘man in a suit’ is emblematic of the powerful and faceless entities that dictate the confines of acceptable thought and speech. This figure could be interpreted as the media, the government, or the corporate behemoth, all of which exert control over the individual, often leading to a loss of self in the pursuit of conventional success.
Time as an Antagonist in the Struggle for Meaning
The undercurrent of the song pairs the desire for self-expression with a poignant awareness of mortality. The line ‘If I had more time’ conjures the universal angst of chasing dreams within the relentless ticking of life’s clock. It’s a sentiment that underscores the song’s urgency and amplifies its rebellious spirit.
The notion of time in ‘Listen Up’ serves as both a motivator and an obstacle—prompting action but also bringing to the forefront the limitations each person battles with. This tension carves a deeper groove into the song’s message, highlighting the bittersweet recognition of our finite existence.
Sailing Alone: The Paradox of Autonomy
The vivid imagery of ‘Sailing down a river alone’ stands out as a haunting metaphor for autonomy and the sometimes-lonely journey of self-discovery. It’s an admittance of the isolation that often accompanies nonconformity, but rather than presenting this solitude as a tragedy, it’s embraced as a worthy trade-off for the freedom it affords.
The declaration ‘But I don’t mind being on my own’ is both a rejection of societal normativity and a bold acceptance of the protagonist’s solitary path. It transcends mere solitude, instead asserting the strength found in forging one’s own way, separate from the herd.
The Illusion of Magic Versus the Mechanism of Life
In stark contrast to the optimism often found in tales of self-discovery and independence, ‘Listen Up’ drops a cold dose of reality with the line, ‘I don’t believe in magic, life is automatic.’ The song dispels the notion that there’s an inherent ‘magic’ to life which will guide individuals to fulfillment.
Instead, ‘Listen Up’ suggests a deterministic view of existence where events unfold in a machine-like sequence. This pessimism, however, is not defeatist; it is the canvas against which the protagonist resolves to create their own meaning, rejecting both predestined paths and fantastical solutions.
Memorable Lines That Echo the Loneliness of the Times
Certain lines in ‘Listen Up’ resonate powerfully with the listener, imbued with a lingering sense of loneliness and disenfranchisement. ‘One fine day, Gonna leave you all behind’ encapsulates a dream of escape and the hope for a more authentic existence, albeit shadowed by the realization that such a move requires leaving something—or someone—behind.
The song achieves an expressive pinnacle in its simple but profound phrases, songs that have become anthemic for those who feel out of step with the world around them. The words ‘I don’t mind being on my own’ become a mantra for self-sufficiency and independence, capturing the essence of the song’s heart.
