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about
This is an anti-racist song. This is an ally song. We’re calling on our allies to take action and we're speaking to those who do not take action simply because they believe they’re not racist. We’re calling on the allies who believe they’re not part of the problem. We’re calling on the allies who believe they can solve the problem simply by saying “I’m not a racist”.
The guitar was riff for this song was written over several weeks by our lead singer, Marcelo, while he was on set performing on the BBC children’s TV show “Andy and the Band”, back in 2019. Every time they yelled cut, he would pick up his guitar between takes and keep working on the riff.
The lyrics were written a year later, inspired by Black Lives Matter and the recent re-awakening and rejuvenation of the anti-racist movement. When anti-racism became a mainstream conversation in 2020, Marcelo was made slightly more aware of his place in this system that institutionalises racism. He was also made slightly more aware of his internalised prejudices AND, most importantly, more aware of his lack of action.
And so, he was inspired to write a song about it, calling himself out AND calling out everyone, who like him, hasn’t taken an active stance against racism. 2020 and the death of George Floyd also further propelled Marcelo to ally himself with causes that fight for social justice, such as Extinction Rebellion and Stand Up to Racism.
lyrics
LYRICS
Sabotage is voluntary suffering
I choose to shoot my foot and keep on blundering
When most that’s ever felt is pre-conceptual
Betraying my attempt at intellectual
Here comes another
Jumping on the wave
No self-controller
Here comes another
Overactive, on the fence
No rock’n’roller
Get up off the bench and join the team
Get up off the bench and join the team
He had a dream
You shared it too
Or so it seemed…
But, only when it’s comfortable for you?
No one truly breaks from their upbringing
No one ever shakes off their conditioning
So
Escape the escape
You might just stick around
But
Avoid the void
And to the ground you’ll be bound
Jumping on the wave
Here comes another
Overreactive on the fence
No rock’n’roller
(There goes another
Running from the wave
He doesn’t understand)
Get up off the bench and join the team
Get up off the bench and join the team
He had a dream
You shared it too
Or so it seemed…
But, only when it’s comfortable for you?
I’m not under oath,
So I pledge my allegiance to truth
(Time to grow, let it flow
Listen to the youth)
I’m not scared of growth
So I pledge my defiance of you
(Time to grow, let it flow
Gotta tell the truth)
The truth might hurt
The likes of me and you
(Time to grow, let it flow
Listen to the youth)
But, that’s only fear
Of the egos left to bruise
(Time to grow, let it flow
Listen to the truth)
Change the status-quo
Break the status-quo
Let it protect you no more (let it protect you no more)
Than another of colour
Forget that badge of honour
You wore for an act no longer tolerable
I know it was comfortable
You thought you could retain control
But, it’s time to get accountable
It’s time to step back and attract
The unaccountable
He had a dream
You shared it too
Or so it seemed…
But, only when it’s comfortable for you
He had a dream
He had a dream
We have a dream
We have a dream
credits
released April 14, 2023
CREDITS
Written by Marcelo Cervone
Produced by Tom Hill and The Vone
Marcelo Cervone – Marek Woloszyn – Marcus Ramtohul – Jonny Bennett
WE ARE VONE
Recorded at The Bookhouse Studio
Engineered by Tom Hill
Mixed by Tom Hill
Mastered by Tom Hill
Artwork and cover by Marc Sharp
Additional arrangements by Marek Woloszyn & Jonny Bennett
All instruments performed by Marcelo Cervone
Additional backing vocals performed by Aisling Groves-McKeown
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