Here I am going to be analysing the Green Day song "99 Revolutions" from their 2013 album "Tre".
The song is an anthem referring to the recent 'Occupy Movement' and hits many of the issues that face americans today. It is an anti-American song in a way as it points out the flaws in the American system.
"Theres a trouble in the air a rumble in the street"
The occupy moment saw a mass amount of people protest about the inequality due to the distribution of wealth in the USA. One of the major stages for the Occupy Movement was in Oakland California, where the band originates from. They gave mass support to the cause as they had grown up in poverty however they did feel that they would receive criticism because they belong to the 1% rather than the 99%.
"A going out of business sale And a race to bankruptcy"
The way in which the system for new businesses to set up works means that many businesses suffer from bad insurance, mortgages and unfair tax. It is unclear how many small business fail in their first year of start up, the number is between 7-9 out of ten. Businesses are expensive to set up and often leads in bankruptcy. The regulations and tax cuts only support the big corporations. The writer is calling the start up of small businesses as a race to bankruptcy stating that it is the goal to get there quickest.
Its not one to 99, its 99 to one
A common cause and a call to arms
For the health of our daughters and our sons
The realisation of the situation. The Odds aren't in the majorities favour, and it should be something that unites everyone in the 99% and if it doesn't change soon, the next generation will be living in poverty. They are the only ones that can help change, the majority of the government support the 1% and they have to get their attention by any means.
For the health of our daughters and our sons
The realisation of the situation. The Odds aren't in the majorities favour, and it should be something that unites everyone in the 99% and if it doesn't change soon, the next generation will be living in poverty. They are the only ones that can help change, the majority of the government support the 1% and they have to get their attention by any means.
Its 99 revolutions tonight
99 revolutions tonight
99 revolutions tonight
99 revolutions tonight
The chorus just states that 99 revolutions need to happen, and they have to start now. They can't wait for tomorrow. it has to happen now otherwise it will never change.
99 revolutions tonight
99 revolutions tonight
The chorus just states that 99 revolutions need to happen, and they have to start now. They can't wait for tomorrow. it has to happen now otherwise it will never change.
Theres a rat in the companyA bail out on easy street
How the fuck did the working stiff
Become so obsolete?
The big corporations, The banks, the car manufactures are being bailed out because of their capitalistic tendencies. The 'Rats' are those that are at the top, taking big bonuses while the company is going under, that is until they are bailed out. It's said that the government lost $11.6 Billion in the Gm bailout while AIG received a near $200Billion (and are seeking more) While this is happening, people are working to survive. The writer is arguing that the big cooperation are losing tax payers money, money that those who pay the tax need to survive and are seeing no benefit of it being spent. The country was built on the hard work of individuals but now they are no longer seen as important. It was often said that the workers were the back bone of the American economy, yet they clearly aren't.
Hit the lights and bang the drum
And let your flag unfold
And let your flag unfold
They need to take action.
Cause history will prove itself
In the hall of justice and lost souls
This inequality is just another in a long list of ones that have troubled the united state. From Slavery to woman rights to the civil rights movement. America has always had an issue with equality (although it promises it) how long until this issue will be heard, do people need to die?
We live in troubled times
From the ghettos to an empty suburban home
We live in troubled times
And Im 99 percent sure that somethings wrong
it''s all wrong
Everyone who is apart of the 99% should feel wronged it connects those who live in absolute poverty ( the ghettos) to those who live in suburban American. It also hits on the realisation that the number of those who live in suburbia are declining and that many new suburban homes are empty because no one can afford them.
From the ghettos to an empty suburban home
We live in troubled times
And Im 99 percent sure that somethings wrong
it''s all wrong
Everyone who is apart of the 99% should feel wronged it connects those who live in absolute poverty ( the ghettos) to those who live in suburban American. It also hits on the realisation that the number of those who live in suburbia are declining and that many new suburban homes are empty because no one can afford them.
Really this song does criticise the distribution of wealth in the USA. it hits the issues that effect those who are in the 99% such as the difficulties in starting a business, or that the workers can't get a break in the system. It tries to bring everyone together to protest against the 1%.
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