Rise above, gonna start the war!
Oh, what you want, what you need
What'd you come here for?
Well, an eye for an eye and an 'F' for a fight
They're taking me down as the prisoners riot

Yeah, yeah

Got shackles on, my words are tied
Fear can make you compromise
With lights turned up, it's hard to hide
Sometimes I want to disappear

When I feel kinda bad and don't want to stress
I just pass it off on ability
Well you got what you want, what you never knew
A perfect gift from me to you

Yeah yeah yeah

Got shackles on, my words are tied
Fear can make you compromise
With lights turned up, it's hard to hide
Sometimes I want to disappear

(Raise up to your ability)
Never knew that I could find
What could come when they realize
I don't know how to compromise

(Raise up to your ability)
Get scared when I disappear
Running around before I count those years
Like I'm someone who lost their way

(Raise up to your ability)
I know that you want it
Just, its too soon to see
of one's ability

(Raise up to your ability)
Yeah you're undecided
It's so hard to see them
but I don't wanna run away

Focus on your ability
Focus on your ability
Gotta focus on your ability
Focus on your ability
Then they can't get what they want to steal
Can't get what they want to steal
Then they can't get what they want to steal
Can't get what they want to steal



Lyrics submitted by 5oclock, edited by smexybak, indierox, ARonTheory

Track duration: 03:22


Houdini song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:Just for the record, I love the line, "f for fight." That says it all. This song is about self-efficacy--believing in yourself and your ability to do.

    Fear will make a person compromise and reach lower than they ought to. But nobody should fear when they've got abilities other's do not have. Gotta find your niche is all.
    Flag charmedone89on October 08, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The beat. The beeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttt.
    Flagged Crane42on March 17, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Another Foster The People song I liked before I knew it was made by them (Helena Beat and Don't Stop being the other two).

    The first time I noticed this song was on a Taco Bell commercial. I heard the opening beat, thought it sounded familiar and realized, much to my surprise or horror (I'm not sure which emotion to go with yet LOL) it was made by the band.

    I thought, for sure, FTP would be a one hit wonder but after hearing so many great singles on the radio, which convinced me to buy their album, and so many brilliant tracks on their CD they are for real!
    Flag Bishop Hammeron March 13, 2012   Link
  • -1
    Song Meaning:Anyway, subscribe me at the Youtube, BellyBell144. Thanks, I'll subscribe you later if you subscribe me. THANKS ALOT!
    Flagged BellyBell144on January 23, 2012   Link
  • -2
    Song Meaning:I've watch the Official Video once. And I also read the fan's comment about this song, Houdini. If you guys ever watch the Official Video, you guys were able to understand. At the beginning, her girlfriend were happy and keep on smiling along her way to home, i think maybe they both have a plan, maybe like out for dinner, or what so ever. So.... :-)

    1. When phone rang, it's from 911 telling her that her boyfriend were dead.
    2. The girl cry, deep sadness.
    3. Her boyfriend were able to go inside her girlfriend's house to see what her girlfriend were doing.
    4. Lastly, her girlfriend were able to see him again?

    Anyway, if I'm not mistake, i think the guy in the Official Video is Mark Foster, the singer. I hope the lady was me. LOL. Just joking, anyway, I'm a foster child forever. :-)
    Flagged BellyBell144on January 23, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:this is one of their best songs, it's so catchy. I love it.
    Flagged liveyourlifetoyourownbeaton December 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i know you feel it too
    these words get overused
    when WE get up and over it and over them
    up and over it and them
    i know you feel it too
    these words get overused
    when YOU get up and over it and over them
    oh oh, hell no
    oh oh, hell no.
    Flag omfgmattyon November 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song has the exact same chord progression and lyric pattern as MGMT's Electric Feel. "Oooh shackles on my wings on tight." "Oooh girl Shock me like an electic eel."

    i think this is a case of cryptomnesia.
    Flag KurdtTBOon October 10, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Thanks for listing the one's from the album! I assumed those are right, and also listened to a live recording on 91X on youtube, and a live recording in brisbane, along with the album to clarify the other lyrics not listed. He definitely says different things in different performances. I think these lyrics are what he actually says from watching his lips move, and they make more sense as well.
    -----------------------------------
    Rise above, gonna start the war!
    Oh, what you want, what you need, what'd you come here for?
    Well, an eye for an eye and an 'f' for fight
    They're taking me down as the prisoners riot

    Got shackles on, my words are tied
    Fear can make you compromise
    With the lights turned up, it's hard to hide
    Sometimes I want to disappear

    When I feel kinda bad and don't want to stress
    I just pass it off on ability
    Well you got what you want, what you never knew
    It's a perfect gift from me to you

    Got shackles on, my words are tied
    Fear can make you compromise
    With the lights turned up, it's hard to hide
    Sometimes I want to disappear

    (Raise up to your ability)

    You never knew that I could find
    What could come when we realize
    Some won't stop with the compromise

    (Raise up to your ability)
    Can't stand when i disappear
    Runnin around i'm filled with fear
    I can't do it cause my lifes a wreeeck

    (Raise up to your ability)
    I know that you wanna
    Throw me into the Sea
    For my ability

    (Raise up to your ability)
    Yeah i don't want (to) decide it
    Yeah just want to leave it
    IIiii just wanna walk(says run sometimes) away

    (Raise up to your ability)

    You gotta focus on your ability
    Focus on your ability
    Now focus on your ability
    Focus on your ability
    Then they can't get what they want to steal
    Can't get what they want to steal
    Flag ggobooon October 10, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:really got me stuck with the earphone..!!!
    i still thinking of what this song really mean..
    love it so,
    <3 <3 <3

    thanks for the lyric
    Flag farahsaputrion September 17, 2011   Link

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