OSI – Free

• +1
  General Comment:OSI's 'Free' album's only political song.
  
  To put it simply, the lyrics are basically about not really living in a free society: you have to watch what you say, watch lots of television (that tells you what to buy, like, dislike, etc.); and if anything manages to get out of its way (i.e.: frees itself), just dial 1-800-YOU'RE FREE. That dial part is obviously about political and corporal entities marketing 'freedom' as a form of propaganda, when in fact they're all about the opposite.

  Flag 1eyedkingon October 07, 2011   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:It sounds like abusive parents to me. Just neglecting there kid and telling him do do whatever the hell he wants, just not to bug them. Hard rocking song, gotta love it

  Flag corerulezon March 31, 2011   Link

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• 0
  My Opinion:I specifically like the lines:
  
  Watch the sky,
  And your television
  If something don't look right
  Dial 1-800-YOURE FREE
  
  It's succinct but it implies so much and the ironic usage of the phone number is genius. A lot of people also find Mike's vocals intolerable but I think they create an interesting contrast, especially in this song.

  Flag Lateralus518on December 27, 2010   Link

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    "A lot of people also find Mike's vocals intolerable"
    
    It is Kevin Moore singing!

    Flag rimastratocasteron April 29, 2011  
• +2
  General Comment:Briefly, the song has 2 parts. The 1st half refers to the commonly held, superficial, western view of freedom. The 2nd half strips away the veneer of freedom and tells you you are anything but free.
  
  OK, more detail:
  
  1st Half : "I consider myself free"
  This is what any joe will say if you ask him about freedom. What does he mean tho? What does freedom mean to this joe? OSI mocks this version of freedom as being nothing more than the kind of freedom we feel during extreme sports, hence the expression, "last man to the bottom", a common dare in skiing etc.
  
  2nd Half : "You're free [NOT!]"
  The dead pan way these lyrics are delivered should tell you all is not as it seems. Put a sarcastic "Yeah, right, sure," infront of "You're free" and you get closer to real meaning. Now the juvenille pleasures of extreme sport "freedom" are replaced with a nannying tirade. "Run outside [dear]", a familiar parental instruction to get kids out from under their feet, is swiftly followed by "keep your head covered," a possible slip-slap-slop type reference, and "Get back in" - ie more parental-type nannying. Suddenly or childlike sense of freedom is looking shaky. Next "Outside? Are you otta your mind?" reminds u how outside is becoming dangerous in some areas. Then we're told "watch your mouth". This sounds like more parental nannying, but possibly refers to a curtailing of freedom of speech, rather than simply refraining from swearing. The passage from the initial juvenille perception of freedom, to an adult reality of control is completed withh "If something don't look right, Dial 1-800-YOURE FREE". This is an invitation by th econtrolling forces (state) to not only be afraid, but to become part of the apparatus of control, by becoming an informant - the kind of thing that happened in communist USSR.
  
  There is also a possible ironic use of the free-phone suffix. In many cases, use of "free" services, carries with them a commitment to give out information about yourself and your [shopping] habits. All this information is vital for your control. You get a free service, but give up your freedom.
  
  Hope that helps - by the way, all imho.
  
  Now you've read that you'll wanna go hang outside - remeber, you're free ;-)

  Flag Sledgeheadon August 31, 2007   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:is everything free?

  Flag rimastratocasteron July 08, 2007   Link

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• 0
  General Comment:It describes me... crazy

  Flag Lateralus518on December 27, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Aha, these lyrics are crazy. I have no clue what it means but it's my favorite from their latest album.

  Flag Lateralus518on December 02, 2006   Link

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