Skillet - American Noise Lyrics
Lyrics
Angry words and honking car
Satellites and fallen stars
Distant dark blue radios that whisper down my boulevards
Ghosts in chains rattle in the attic
Broken headphone filled with static
Lonely room you've got nowhere to run
Three... Two... One for all and all for One
Times will be bad times will be good
Things I wish I hadn't done and some I wish I would
Cutting through the American noise
you've got a voice and a song to sing (and a song to sing)
Drink deep in the morning
Drink deep in the morning
See what the day will bring
La da da da lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
La da da da lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
Slammin' doors and cell phone rings
Hurricane force of silent screams
Don't know what to believe
Bend the rule just to break it
You're so tired cus to got to fake it
But you just wannabe someone
Three... Two... One for all and all for One
Times will be bad times will be good
Things I wish I hadn't done and some I wish I would
Cutting through the American noise
you've got a voice and a song to sing (and a song to sing)
Drink deep in the morning
Drink deep in the morning
See what the day will bring
La da da da lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
La da da da lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
No matter who you are you've got a voice
Why don't you use it
Sing your own song take all the noise
and make it into music
La da da da La da da da La da da daaaa
La da da da La da da da La da da daaaaaaa
La da da da lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
La da da da you have a choice
Let love cut through the American noise
You've got a voice!
Let love cut through the American noise
Video
Skillet - American Noise (Official Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Skillet's "American Noise," released in 2013 on the album *Rise*, is a powerful anthem for navigating the relentless clamor of modern life and finding a deeper truth within. The song doesn't shy away from the disorienting cacophony of our world, vividly painting a picture of "angry words and honking car[s]," "satellite[s] and fallen stars," and the pervasive "distent dark blue radios" that whisper through our lives. This initial imagery speaks to the overwhelming sensory input and the constant barrage of information that can leave us feeling lost and disconnected, much like the "ghosts in chains" and the "broken headphone filled with static" that symbolize inner turmoil and a lack of clear communication. The sentiment of being trapped, "lonely room you've got nowhere to run," resonates with the feeling of being overwhelmed by external pressures and internal anxieties, a situation that can feel inescapable. However, the song quickly pivots from this bleak depiction to a message of empowerment and purpose. The repeated "Three... Two... One for all and all for One" acts as a rallying cry, a call to unity and collective strength in the face of adversity.
The core message of "American Noise" centers on the idea that even amidst the "bad times" and the inevitable regrets of past choices, we possess an inherent "voice and a song to sing." The lyrics urge listeners to "drink deep in the morning," an evocative metaphor for preparing oneself for the day ahead with intentionality and clarity, to "see what the day will bring." This is a profound encouragement to embrace each new dawn with hope, rather than succumbing to the anxieties that the first verse lays out. The repeated refrain, "La da da da lift up your voice, let love cut through the American noise," is not just a catchy hook; it’s an active command to infuse the world with compassion and understanding. This emphasis on love as the antidote to the "noise" directly echoes biblical teachings about the supremacy of love. As 1 Corinthians 13:13 states, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." The song suggests that this divine force, love, has the power to cut through even the most overwhelming external and internal distractions. The "hurricane force of silent screams" and the struggle to discern truth ("Don't know what to believe") highlight the disillusionment that can arise from a world that often prioritizes superficiality and deception, leading to a weariness from having to "fake it." Yet, the underlying desire to "just wanna be someone" points to a yearning for authenticity and significance.
The song's ultimate call to action is clear: "No matter who you are you've got a voice. Why don't you use it? Sing your own song, take all the noise and make it into music." This is a direct invitation to embrace individuality and creativity as a means of transformation, mirroring the biblical principle found in Romans 12:6-8, which speaks of using our unique spiritual gifts for the building up of the community. The act of transforming "noise" into "music" is a powerful analogy for taking the chaotic elements of life and finding harmony, purpose, and beauty within them. It's about discerning the sacred amidst the secular, the eternal within the temporal. The repeated assertion, "You've got a choice!" underscores the agency we have in how we respond to our circumstances and the world around us. This aligns with Deuteronomy 30:19, which declares, "choose life, that you and your offspring may live." Skillet is not simply offering a passive observation of societal fragmentation; they are issuing an inspiring challenge to actively engage with the world, armed with love and one's unique voice, to create something meaningful and beautiful in spite of the surrounding cacophony. This is a message that encourages listeners to find their divine spark and let it shine, illuminating the path forward with grace and resilience.