Mike's 104 Songs to Hear Before You Die: Song #7

Photo by Mike

Read a review yesterday that prompted me to pick this song, as the band just released a new album this year.

Here it is, numba 7:

The Thermals - Power Doesn't Run On Nothing

Who: The Thermals, Power Trio from Portland, OR

What: " Power Doesn't Run On Nothing, from their 2006 breakout album The Body, The Blood, The Machine, loosely based on a "young couple who must flee a United States governed byfascist faux-Christians."

When: '06, although I probably heard it in '07 (thanks to John87), but it sounds like it came from a distopic near-future, thanks to its "no-fi" production and paranoid lyrics.

Where: U.S. I suppose

Why: Righteous indignation pounded into your ears whether you like it or not, baby! The Thermals are not afraid to take on religion and government throughout this album, but this song is their most effective. The description of the U.S. as "just a child," and "old as hell," both ring true just a minute apart. The immediacy of Thermals' singer Hutch Harris' voice drives the song forward. When he shouts "we need the land you're standing on, so let's go!" you can see him leading the charge. That's pretty much it for this song- hardcore lyrics and righteous indignation- but it definitely makes a strong point using very little more than some power chords and shouting. If you like it, check out the whole album (none of the songs standout quite the way this one does) or check out their new one (that I believe I will be purchasing and reviewing soon, based on the strength of the title track) Now We Can See.

We are just a child
we are just a child
we are wide awake
but our legs are shaky
we're unaware
we're hyper-active
we stare into space
with grins on our faces
so give us what we're asking
for cause either way,
we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on
so lets go
move it

we are old as hell
we are old and tell
the children when to kill
and when to sit still
everyone doing what we say
till our dying day,
till our breath is empty
so give us what we're asking
for cause either way we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on
so lets go
move it
yeah you need to let it go
move it
yeah we're, more equal,
we'll move you people,
off the planet cause goddamn we need the fuel

so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over,
everyone in line, one in line
so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over,
everyone in line one at a time
they'll give us what we're asking for,
cause God is with us, and our God's the richest
our power doesn't run on nothing,
it runs on blood, and blood is easy to obtain
when you have no shame
when you have no shame
so let the sun bathe
let the sun bathe
we'll still have life,
we'll burn even brighter
we'll drain the well, turn all to hell,
leave the earth's surface to the worthless dirt
let the beat roll over,
let the beat roll over,
to everyone in mind,
everyone in line
you think we'll cease?
to see a reason,
to think it's fair?
to think it's fair,
to think we care?

Here is the song with all the previous songs on my list:

Previous songs on my list:
#1) The Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle (for teaching me how to be a teenager)
#2) Sufjan Stevens - Vito's Ordination Song (beautiful sounds, transcendent lyrics)
#3) They Might Be Giants - Number Three (goofy lyrics, unstoppable foot-tapping fun)
#4) Counting Crows - Four Days (beautiful harmonies, sweet metaphors)
#5) Drive-By Truckers - Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (heartwrenching lyrics, heartstring pulling slide guitar)
#6) Architecture in Helsinki - It'5! (fun!)

And John87's list:
#100) Sonic Youth- The Diamond Sea
#99) Ani Difranco - Both Hands (Live)
#98) Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
#97) Eels - P.S. You Rock My World
#96) Vienna Teng - City Hall