Handlebars (song)

"Handlebars"
Song

"Handlebars" is the debut single from the indie rap rock group Flobots from Denver, Colorado. It was originally recorded for Flobots Present...Platypus but it was re-released in October 2007 on the group's commercial debut album, Fight with Tools, before its single release in April 2008.

The song debuted to great popularity in a time where rap rock genres were certainly not at the foreground of commercial music. In addition to the more common hard rock instruments, "Handlebars" features horns and strings reminiscent of the metro college indie band Cake. The song was performed live on the June 5, 2008 edition of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Track Listing

7" Vinyl Release

1. "Handlebars" - 3:27
2. "Rise" - 4:10

Meaning

The song is about the idea that we have so much incredible potential as human beings to be destructive or to be creative," Flobots' MC Jonny 5 (a.k.a. Jamie Laurie) told MTV. "And it's tragic to me that the appetite for military innovation is endless, but when it comes to taking on a project like ending world hunger, it's seen as outlandish. It's not treated with the same seriousness."

"...at the same time, I knew there were people at that moment who were being bombed by our own country. And I thought that was incredibly powerful." It is the contrast between these "little moments of creativity, these bursts of innovation," and the way these ideas are put to use "to oppress and destroy people" that the singer feels is both "beautiful and tragic at the same time."

Music video

The video for the song is entirely animated. It starts out lighthearted, showing two young friends riding their bikes without their hands on the handlebars. They arrive at a sign that points in two directions, one labeled with a corporate-like symbol, and the other labeled by a dove. They hug and head their separate ways.

The video's events escalate in tension and cumulate in the corporate friend holding a dictator-like position of power, while the other friend has become a radical against him. The radical friend is shot and killed in front of the shocked corporate friend.

-In More Detail- The person who took the direction labeled with a dove arrives in a peaceful, serene neighborhood, while the other person arrives in a commercial district. The business person goes on to become the head of a successful company and a powerful politician, disenfranchising the poor inhabitants of the peaceful neighborhood. The citizens of the city then form a rebellion against the tyrannical political system headed by the businessman, led by the person who chose the more peaceful neighborhood. As the video goes on it then shows the person who took the dove direction leading a right against a wall of troops. Behind the troops at the podium is the man who took the corporate direction leading the army. As the riot is raging against their new leader, the man at the podium, troops in riot gear are sent out to very brutally silence them. When the riot comes against a wall of troops, throwing glass bottles, the troops open fire and kill many of the citizens. The leader sees his former friend just before he is killed, and realizes what he has done was wrong, and the video ends as it shows a flashback sequence of the friends riding their bikes.

Lyric Meanings

I can ride my bike with no handlebars This represents the innocents of a trick. It is a show of doing something just because you can. Harmless No handlebars No handlebars Repeats twice to show an increase emphasis I can ride my bake with no handlebars No handlebars No handlebars The second repetition shows a further increase to emphasis and also foreshadows the two personalities/sides in this song.

Look at me Look at me Hands in the air like it’s good to be Alive “Look at me” is repeated twice. Indicating both directions are on the same path at this point. “Hands in the air” show their excitement and freedom. “Like it’s good to be Alive,” shows that everything seems great. Using the word “Like” it shows that it is all an illusion. It just appears good to be alive.

And I’m a famous rapper Even when the paths’re all crookedy “I’m a famous rapper,” shows that he has chosen Rap. Rap has been a bane on society in the eyes of our government since conception. Saying “Even when the paths’re all crookedy,” implies that he understands that Rap can be considered less than ideal, but he still chooses it because of it being a polar opposite of his opponent, our government.

I can show you how to do-si-do I can show you how to scratch a record He is saying he is part of the people; the informal part. “do-si-do” is a folk dance between two people. Folk are common people. Again he references to the duality of this song. “I can show you how to scratch a record,” demonstrates his difference from government. Most DJ’s scratch the record using two fingers, which again shows the duality within this song.

I can take apart the remote control And I can almost put it back together The “remote control” is an object of power. It controls the (Media) from afar. The remote control can manipulate from a distance. He understands what the remote control (government) is and what it does, but doesn’t understand the people that make it work.

I can tie a knot in a cherry stem This is a small innocent trick representing care free qualities.

I can tell you about Leif Ericson Leif Ericson was a Viking traveler, who traveled across the northern seas, who was known for his fair judgment and honestly. He later became a Christian. He is saying he is fair and honest. He knows about Christianity.

I know all the words to “De Colores” “De Colores,” represents a few things. First is the fact it is a children’s folk song. This refers to the first section of this song as part of the younger years. It is also another reminder of his common heritage. “De Colores,” is a song about the joy of creation. It is the unofficial theme song of the United Farm Workers Union, which is another connection with common heritage. This leads in to the next line.

And “I’m Proud to be an American” This is a simple statement, with a solid meaning.

Me and my friend saw a platypus First meaning of platypus is the fact he see beauty all over the globe (Australia in this case). He is a traveler like Leif Ericson. A platypus is also considered endangered. This shows his Eco-friendly attitude about our planet. Loving all creation like the “De Colores” song sings about.

Me and my friend made a comic book And guess how long it took I can do anything that I want cuz, look: This could be interpreted to represent youth with cartoon pictures, then followed up with a child like brag. Honestly, in this case I’m not sure what is meant here. “I can do anything that I want cuz, look,” could be interpreted as child like, trying to grab attention for his next trick.

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 This is the end of the first section. “Keeping rhythm with no metronome” (Next trick) is a skill people in government wouldn’t need, but here he is following his path anyway. He chooses music like his “De Colores,” and seeks eco-friendly activities. “I can see your face on the telephone,” represents that his friend and him have split. Instead of seeing him by his side, he has to see his friend through the phone. The duality has split at this point.

Part 2 (has two personalities)

Look at me Look at me Just called to say that it’s good to be Alive “Just called,” reinforces that his friend is not around. Now life is good. Before life was an illusion of good since he was just a child and didn’t know there was evil. He knows of evil, but he is doing what he can to bring joy to creation. It isn’t an illusion for him. The word “Like” has been replaced.

In such a small world He understands the impact of the individual on the world. What you do will affect others. You might think that I’m stretching the meaning, but the Flobots are social and political activists.

All curled up with a book to read This could be interpreted as knowledge. He is continuing to learn more.

I can raise funds open up a thrift store I can make a living off a magazine I can design an engine sixty four Miles to a gallon of gasoline I can make new antibiotics “I can raise funds open up a thrift store,” is talking about recycling. It is also another reference to common carriers. “I can make a living off a magazine,” could represent his method of influencing people. “I can design an engine sixty four miles to a gallon of gasoline,” first, shows his opinion of our need to learn to conserve our resources. Second, it uses a hot topic to get this point across, which lines us up for the 3rd section. “I can make new antibiotics,” is showing his direction is to help the people, not himself.

Part 2 (turning point, enter second personality “His friend”)

I can make computers survive aquatic conditions I know how to run a business And I can make you wanna buy a product Movers Shakers and Producers “I can make computers survive aquatic conditions,” represents the need of business, which is why the other personality says, “I know how to run a business.” The power of this ability is beginning to show already, because this personality brags for two more lines. “And I can make you wanna buy a product” and “Movers Shakers and Producers.” Movers are Industry. Shakers are Religion. Producers are business. He claims to sell all of them the product.

Me and my friends understand the future First the second personality doesn’t relate to common people anymore at all. Notice the second personality says “my friends.” This is completely split from the people’s direction. He considers himself part of his group now, outside the people. “Understand the future,” is a delusion of having power. What this personality sees is what he can craft out of the future.

I see the strings that control the systems I can do anything with no assistance This personality knows all the strings that control the puppet (government). If you know where all the strings of the puppet are you can do anything. Not needing the assistance of anyone indicates a singular power source. This foreshadows the singular power of a person in the 3rd section.

I can change the nation with a microphone With a microphone With a microphone I can split the atoms of a molecule Of a molecule Of a molecule Both personalities can use a microphone, but only one of the personalities wants to change the nation with a good cause. “I can split the atoms of a molecule. A molecule is wrongly thought of as the smallest particle. It is actually a group of at least two atoms held together by chemical bond. A molecule is still very small. This is how the other personality sees rebellions or others that fight against his power. He can split the atoms (people) of a molecule (group). He obviously would do this to demonstrate his power over people.

Part 3 (Government and Singular Power)

Look at me Look at me Driving and I won’t stop And it feels so good to be Alive and on top WOW! Driving is being in control. He controls the direction and pace. He will keep pushing forward; he won’t stop. He is “on top” There is only one person who is on top. The top position is the President.

My reach is global My tower secure My cause is noble My power is pure These are descriptions of his position. These are not descriptions of the man who holds the position. What happens when you get someone who is not noble or pure?

I can hand out a million vaccinations Or let’em all die in exasperation He holds life and death at his fingertips.

Have’em all grilled leaving lacerations Have’em all killed by assassination I can make anybody go to prison Just because I don’t like’em and I can do anything with no permission I have it all under my command. This is a list of what can be done under his command and he doesn’t need approval to do any of it.

I can guide a missile by satellite By satellite By satellite I believe this is referring to nukes for large scale destruction

And I can hit a target through a telescope Through a telescope Through a telescope He is saying he can target any one person through his sights if he needed.

The combination of the missile and telescope lines, show the range of damage he could do. What would happen if we allowed this control to grow?

And I can end the planet in a holocaust Holocaust Holocaust Holocaust Holocaust Holocaust Holocaust Obviously, this demonstrates a possible anti-humanity direction of our current government trends lead by the President. Extermination of all people who getting in the way.

8I can ride my bike with no handlebars No handlebars No handlebars I can ride my bike with no handlebars No handlebars No handlebars This innocent statement is now a reminder that just because we CAN do something doesn’t give us the right to do anything we want.

Chart performance

On May 1, 2008, less than three weeks after release, the song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. Fueled by radio airplay, including six straight weeks at the top of KROQ's most played list, it was the first single since Semisonic's "Closing Time" to chart in the top ten so quickly.

It has had similar success on the digital landscape, having over 1,900,000 total plays on the band's MySpace.com page and over 8,000,000 views on YouTube. Digital download purchases have placed the song at #4 on certain rap and hip-hop charts on Amazon.com.

"Handlebars" has also performed well on the Billboard charts. Peaking at number three on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, number twenty-two on the Hot Digital Songs chart, number thirty-five on the Pop 100 chart, number thirty-seven on the Hot 100 chart, number sixty-three on the Canadian Hot 100

"Handlebars" has been announced on BBC Radio 1 as entering the UK's Official Top 40 at Number 35. It is expected to climb higher in the forthcoming weeks.