The Revolution Will Start (When I Find My Shoes)

[Intro – spoken over lazy guitar feedback] Brothers, sisters, beautiful enemies of the state— I have read the philosophers. I have studied the machine. I have uncovered the architecture of oppression... ...has anybody seen my left shoe? [Band crashes in] [Verse 1] Woke up at noon with Rousseau on my chest, Marx by the mattress, looking unimpressed, Nietzsche in the kitchen, coffee going cold, I was gonna smash the system— then I forgot what I was told. Got a flower in my pocket, got a thesis in my head, Got a poster saying “PEACE” beside a half-unmade bed, The radio says freedom comes in red and white and blue— That's fascinating, brother... But where the FUCK'S my other shoe? [Pre-Chorus] They sell you war! They sell you peace! They sell you both on ninety-day lease! They sell you truth! They sell you news! They'll sell rebellion— if you buy the shoes! [Chorus] QUESTION AUTHORITY! WHERE'D I PUT MY SHOES? QUESTION AUTHORITY! WHO THE HELL MAKES ALL THE RULES? I got peace in my pocket, got rebellion in my blues, THE REVOLUTION STARTS— WHEN I FIND MY FUCKING SHOES! [Gang vocals] HEY! HEY! WHAT'D YOU SAY? FREE YOUR MIND— AND LOSE YOUR DAY! [Verse 2] Went marching down the avenue, magnificently high, Had a conversation with a very thoughtful fly, He said, “Power reproduces through consent and social fear.” I said, “Holy shit, you're brilliant.” Then he flew into my beer. Met a cop beside the courthouse, looking painfully severe, I said, “Have you considered Hobbes?” He said, “Lady, disappear.” So I gave him fifteen minutes on the nature of the state, He said, “Move.” I said, “Counterpoint: your ontology is late.” [Pre-Chorus] They sell you work! They sell you debt! They sell you things you haven't wanted yet! Buy a dream! Buy a view! Buy individuality— LIKE EVERYBODY DO! [Chorus] QUESTION AUTHORITY! WHERE'D I PUT MY SHOES? QUESTION AUTHORITY! WHO THE HELL MAKES ALL THE RULES? I got peace in my pocket, got rebellion in my blues, THE REVOLUTION STARTS— WHEN I FIND MY FUCKING SHOES! [Post-Chorus] LOVE! PEACE! QUESTION! DOUBT! TURN THE WHOLE DAMN SYSTEM OUT! [Verse 3] There's a general on television explaining why we fight, Something something liberty, something something right, There's a banker selling futures while the present goes to hell, And an ad says happiness is twenty-nine ninety-five as well. So I rolled another question, watched it disappear in smoke: “If consumption makes us happy, why's everybody fucking broke?” Then I stared into the ceiling for approximately an hour— Because I suddenly discovered my thumb possesses POWER. [Instrumental stop] ...No, seriously. Look at this thing. Evolution is INSANE. [Acid guitar solo] [Bridge I – spoken over bass, bongos and Hammond] They say: “Be realistic.” Realistic? You built enough bombs to kill everybody twelve times, put a price tag on water, invented breakfast cereal with marshmallows, and I'M unrealistic because I think human beings could maybe stop murdering each other? Brother— your argument has structural problems. [Drummer laughs] Don't laugh, Gerald. You're part of the bourgeoisie. [Drum fill] ...Gerald owns a Volkswagen. [Band erupts] [Verse 4] I met a man who told me, “Kid, the system keeps you free.” I said, “Excellent! Then surely it won't mind if I disagree?” He said, “Love your country.” I said, “Which part—the soil or men in chairs? 'Cause I adore the mountains, but I've questions 'bout upstairs.” They'll teach you how to pledge before they teach you how to doubt, then congratulate your freedom if you never figure out that the cage doesn't need a lock, a rifle or a guard— just keep everybody busy, broke, afraid— and working hard. [Music abruptly stops] ...Oh. Well THAT got depressing. Anybody got an orange? [Huge psychedelic fill] [Bridge II – increasingly chaotic] I wanted liberation! I wanted cosmic truth! I wanted to dismantle the machinery of youth— Wait. That doesn't make sense. THE MACHINERY OF— CAPITAL! IMPERIAL— GERALD, STOP SOLOING! [Drum solo continues] GERALD! THIS IS WHY REVOLUTIONS FAIL! [Band stops] Thank you. As I was saying— [Massive fuzz riff] [Final Chorus] QUESTION AUTHORITY! I FINALLY FOUND MY SHOES! QUESTION AUTHORITY! NOW I'VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE! Got a head full of questions, got a mouth they couldn't bruise— THE REVOLUTION STARTS— AND I'VE GOT BOTH MY FUCKING SHOES! [Choir / gang vocals] HEY! HEY! WHAT'D YOU SAY? THINK FOR YOURSELF AND RUIN THEIR DAY! LOVE! PEACE! QUESTION! DOUBT! TURN THE WHOLE DAMN SYSTEM OUT! QUESTION AUTHORITY! QUESTION ME TOO! 'CAUSE THE FIRST FUCKING TYRANT MIGHT BE HIDING INSIDE YOU! [Outro – band dissolving into psychedelic chaos] [Spoken] Okay. Who's got the car keys? ... Gerald? ... Oh, for fuck's sake.