First Time Hearing Flobots - Handlebars Official Video Reaction

[@Thelastcritic]

Flobots won a radio contest with channel 93.3 in Denver Colorado. The prize was studio time. This album is the result.

[@breakbeatz309]

The message built more consistently than you seemed to realize. I remember getting chills the first time hearing “I can split the atoms of a molecule” on the radio and realizing the song was about to get dark.

[@decoding_the_truth33]

I remember when I was a kid I always loved this song when it first came out and didn’t really watch the music video or the words really just thought it was catchy and I remember looking it up when I got a lot older and realize what it was talking about and especially so relatable within the times we are in and this came out over a decade ago…crazy

[@Michael.S.Ryan.]

Also it shows the progression of power how it can just start by simply trying to prove people wrong and end up in the state of “absolute power corrupts absolutely” then brings it back to being true to who you are. It’s actually one of the most brilliant songs I think I’ve ever heard. Prob why I still listen to it

[@SeriosSkies92]

Yeah jonny 5 dropping the "I have nukes" line. Mrlboyd picking up on literally nothing the song was saying was fucking frustrating.

[@cacious3136]

@@Michael.S.Ryan. hi Michael thanks for the highschool-sophmore-world-history-throw-back take on this video

[@Shabidoo1]

I've taken the song to mean that personal ambition is childish at heart and leads to the worst atrocities. If Hitler had had no drive to prove himself, the Holocaust might not have happened.

[@alangarcia5693]

Flobots is a super slept on group. This was their radio hit but the entire Fight With Tools album is fucking genius

[@nickwindholz7912]

This song got them censored from mtv after blowing up...

[@alangarcia5693]

@@nickwindholz7912 yeah i also remember them getting shit for their IRAQ song. Too much Flo :D

[@erichart2756]

Yes my favorite group that was just a one hit wonder

[@seanhutt4621]

This album was great mayday and fight with tools ... Super fun live show too

[@hellorange2011]

RATM+Cake+Ashleywood

[@dustfang5422]

I thought the lofi vocal recording was a stylistic choice.

[@allankuria9923]

I'm pretty sure it was.

[@nate-404]

I thought so too

[@pablofuego81]

That kick drum sound is amazing though

[@ch3rrywave]

It is. This guy does not know what he's talking about

[@johnferrer42]

Agreed. The non-video version of the song is typical hi-fi & hi-res. I don't think this reviewer understood the song.

[@loganharvey8086]

The video really tells the story that the lyrics follow. It's starts with two friends riding bikes and they come to a point where their paths split. The lyrics start with the flex between friends early in life "I can ride my bike with no handle bars". The lyrics then split to follow both friends on their own paths. One friend takes that origin and continues to work with the people he bumps into and his flex line is "I can keep time with no metronome" and he is workong on being a rapper. The other friend gets into corporate America. His flex line becomes about "I can lead a nation with a microphone" as he leads a press conference. The continued escalation of the corporate MO alieniantes people and leaves them disenfranchised. The friend who didnt go corporate becomes a voice for the downtrodden and helps them rise up against the corporations. This culminates with the two friends being the voice of their respective sides as things come to a boiling point and the police open fire, killing the corporate spokesman's childhood friend in front of him. The lyrics end with the longing refrain they began with "I can ride my bike with no handle bars" as you are left with the impression that the surviving friend longs for that idyllic time when simply veing able to ride with out handle bars was enough. The song overall to me is a story about how two people from a similar place and get consumed by the life they have made for themselves. This can lead to a great deal of heartache and pain. It harkens back to the idea of just because we can do something doesn't mean we should

[@zeallust8542]

Good analysis mate, I never though of it that way, damn ive been missing out on understanding this one.

[@brandonweiland1206]

Very well thought out. I have always been down a similar mindset. Very nice to see it spelt out.

[@Poemiserable]

That's one take on the song, and it's a decent one. My interpretation is completely different. I think it's essentially about how the hubris and arrogance of people can extrapolate outward and expand with their reach and power. A kid bragging about riding their bike like a badass is really just a tiny, weak version of a despot. Or, at least, has the potential to be. And, that's even more true when they're telling themselves over and over that their motivations are pure, that their intentions are good, and that their cause is just. If anything, I interpret it as a tirade against soc-ial.ism/com.mun-ism and the idea that we'd all be the 'one good dic-tat.or who'd fix everything' instead of a m.a-ss mur-der.ing mon.st-er, like so many others.

[@andythedishwasher1117]

Great eye dude! I've loved this song for years, but I hadn't really incorporated the video too much into my analysis. That's something I need to start doing with more artists. The lyrics alone seemed to tell this sort of generic story of the American power dynamic and how it has the almost inevitable capacity to destroy the planet, but your analysis really personalizes the lines in a way I had never considered. It almost feels like this could have been inspired by a real friendship that the vocalist had as a kid which led him to his current musical course.

[@jphnx8268]

This, man.

[@chriskoprowski1980]

I think you missed the whole point of the video because you seemed to have passed over the begining of the video. It's two friends riding bikes together and then they split and go their separate ways. You are correct when you say that the song is about being able to do whatever you want. I this case the two friends want two different things from this world. One takes the path of the people, and wants to work in the community to make things better for that community. The other takes the path of the corporate world and cares only about money and power, but people (or maybe he doesn't realize how his actions hurt people). The final scene is a clash between the two former friends, one representing the people, and the other representing the powers that pretty much rule our everyday lives.

[@marcusanton95]

When the song first came out and even now I see the song representing the good and bad America is capable of. Which you get depends on those in power. I don't see it as a left vs right, liberal vs conservative song. Both sides are very capable of doing either. We must never get to a place in this nation where a Hitler type leader takes control. but we're not far from it now. Everyday we Americans give our rights away willingly, they are not taken from us but surrendered. We allow ourselves to be type casted then turned on one another. Race, religion, gender, political views all flamed to keep us at each others throat all while they the truly wicked gain power from our continued fighting. Wake the hell up America before it's too late.

[@mickey9034]

I agree… point was missed. There are two different America’s. We all start out as kids playing, having fun. But one group can do whatever they want, they can run things, they can give or withhold vaccinations, they can in some cases literally decide who lives or dies. The other group cannot. We may all be born the same but there end up being very different classes we are born into, no matter how hard you try.

[@KeaganKellogg]

@@marcusanton95 This is exactly right, but was still glad to see a smart dude with a cool channel give it a go.

[@taliciasmith3958]

It's all about escalation. I think the lo fi was intentional.

[@Jokerzz564]

I feel like a lot of people missed that message. Along with the end where even the juggernaut powerful guy is like “wait…this is wrong” and even the friend is devastated and remorseful, finally coming to grips with the reality of what just happened. Too often in life we get consumed and follow the righteous path set forward that we forget our actions have consequences and effects the people around us. When we realized who we’ve hurt, it’s too late

[@sartori69]

This song is the epitome of "well, that escalated quickly..."

[@danielscott9960]

Love that you picked up on the "you can do anything you want" vibe just as the idea of "should you do anything you want" kicks in

[@SuspiciouslyGroomedPegasus]

@Ishaa Magnolia when your leading a nation or in a place of power you often think that what you want and what the people want are one in the same. So yes many politicians do in fact think that their cause is noble and their power is pure. It's part of the problem with society

[@lockelytbane]

Just because you can, does not mean that you should. That is the message I get listening to this.

[@KBeezyProductions]

Damn this one take me back.

[@titus7980]

"We Are Winning" is a much deeper Flobots track!

[@chrislatella4249]

Lol, "Are these real instruments being recorded?! Hold up, hold up...", this is what bands used to do to make records

[@paulshaw9953]

This album is stacked... Rise, Mayday, Fight With Tools etc... phenomenal live act too

[@elischultes6587]

My cousin’s daughter did this in a school talent show. At 8 she was spot on the flow.

[@tyler2059]

I love this song. Just stumbled onto your channel and can’t catch up fast enough. Love what you do. Thanks for your work and perspective!

[@williamswiniuch7527]

This whole album is great. I’ve always described them as RATM mixed with Cake

[@jesterscupcake]

I could see that. Cake has lost their touch in recent times, fake activists that sold out to corporations, but their tree program is still pretty neat.

[@danmontgomery5218]

That is an amazing description.

[@williamswiniuch7527]

@@danmontgomery5218 thanks

[@brianfarley2388]

Together we rise

[@thagoat72]

that's a dope way to put it 😎

[@christopherchandler2860]

Bro...Flobots is an amazing group. Their musical style is pretty unique. They are very politically and issue driven. Very similar to Rage Against the Machine, but maybe more positive. Please check out STAND UP off this same album, I think you will really like it. Also, they got into a diss battle other Logan Paul. Logan took a stab at them with “NO HANDLE BARS” and they came back with HANDLE YOUR BARS

[@HalliesComut]

I'd love to see him react to their response video. I think he (and we) would quite enjoy that.

[@andythedishwasher1117]

To be real, I was hoping for a bit of a deeper dive on this one. This track has influenced me deeply for years. To me, the beginning represents something familiar to me as a kid who initially grew up in a white suburban neighborhood. It's the kind of wild, enthusiastic creativity and open-mindedness (the De Colores/proud to be an American line isn't paradoxical in a child's mind) that most white kids start with, oblivious to how all these wonderful gadgets and learning experiences got to us. Then we become adults and start creating those circumstances, initially with the same kind of creative drive we had as children, which is where the second verse finds us. We solve problems that we saw as children but hadn't figured out yet, like the aquatic computers and hyper-efficient engines. But then, all these abstractions lead us into the dark world of power. This is the mysterious, ineffable part of the process represented by the horns that none outside the halls of power truly understand. After the horns, we have power in its corrupted form. The evils of prejudice, greed, and megalomania replace the former creative enthusiasm and the world builder becomes the world destroyer. I've spent most of my adult life trying to figure out what really happens during that horn solo.

[@SmokeADig]

“If you’re thinking, you’re winning.”

[@DocRobert]

I think you missed some of the point of the video, it’s about two childhood friends who end up on opposite sides of power. I admit I missed it on first watch, too. Give it another watch sometime, friend, I think you’ll see a whole other layer to its meaning. I suggest more Flobots reactions, maybe Rise, or Mayday!, or Defend Atlantis. Love.

[@s.t.-1094]

"Just because you can do anything, be anything, doesn't mean you should."

[@Scootman]

oh wow this brings back memories Check the video again now that you've seen it. The beginning is two kids hugging as they go separate ways. One ends but being the leader of the world(?) and the other is the leader of the resistance who gets shot at the end before the two are kids riding bikes again

[@justinsondermann6196]

Yo the vocal recording like that is on purpose. Flobot did that to symbolize that a amazing track with low budget can be great. For this album he was comfortable using his old equipment over a high tech sound boards from the label he got signed.

[@kennymichaelalanya7134]

I thought of Klaus Schwab when I heard the latter half of this song

[@RB240s13]

If I recall correctly, the reason the song sounds under produced was because the recorded all there stuff onto vinyl and then re-recorded it off of that to get that dirty/grimy underproduced sound.

[@kymd9887]

I guarantee you heard this when it came out. You don't gotta lie.

[@T4TorrAnce]

I learned the American dream is what you make of it. You can do whatever you want, but you can also do damage if your not careful

[@cliath]

As a history buff, you might appreciate the lyrics of their song Same Thing

[@jdjack519]

Seconded

[@ThePyroKnight]

Definitely

[@matt-oo6fu]

Anne Braden, too

[@joshbryant8929]

I love flobots. It's sad to see that this is the "hit" of the group because they are such a great group.

[@TheMisterD00D]

It's not, inherently, it's just the radio single that got them noticed nationally or globally

[@samsparks7239]

I think the low quality recording was intended, I find it fits in with the video and the art-style.

[@BuddyRIP]

One of my favorite songs, the story behind it is the story of 2 brothers, one that took a peaceful route and one that took a power hungry route Edit: first half of the song is the one brother/person taking the path of having the ability of doing whatever they want. But they decide to enjoy the small things.. they don't see what they're doing as grand actions. The 2nd half is the flip side... The one who used power that they had. After years idk if they were 2 brothers or just 2 sides of one person. The 2nd was the person who used everything they could to their advantage to gain power and thus could literally do anything with no consequences... Both are the mindset of not focusing on consequences... But both show what can happen from it... It is a story that shows that the duality of these 2 sides in every person shapes who they are... Yes you can be anything you want... But the essence of "what do you want to be and how far will that ambition push you until you prove it?" This song only gets deeper the more I think... Tldr: this song truly embodies 2 aspects of humanity that should negate eachother but instead creates a constant internal struggle of ones self. In essence this song defines 2 extremes.

[@greenpeasuit]

The way this starts off simple enough but then takes a dark turn makes me think of Scroobious Pip "You Will See Me". He is a true artist. Check that one out sometime.

[@danielharris4913]

This is 1984 by Orwell personified.

[@jharrell23867]

I mean dude kind of missed the whole story of the video of two friends taking radically different paths in life that ended up putting them in direct opposition of each other.

[@nicmartino9137]

Check out Same Thing, Stand Up or Anne Braden by Flobots as well, and definitely have lyrics available

[@mumfordboydylan8450]

Anne Braden is amazing to listen to. Rise always gets me energetic.

[@Juice0220]

“De colores” and “I’m proud to be an American” are two songs originating from different cultures that are shedding light on the good and bad in life while focusing on what makes it beautiful. In my humble opinion he was speaking on his love of life, the world, and all its people with that line in the song. The song is mainly themed around the idea that you can do anything you want as long as you set your mind to it. The artist just went about it by starting simple and working up to more drastic situations like you hear at the end of the song. It’s not in my daily playlist but I used to listen to this song growing up and I would use it as inspiration to prove those wrong who didn’t believe in me

[@Juice0220]

My bad posted this early in the video😂 you got it though. We both on the same page. It’s just a matter of what you set forth to do after that. You can do anything but not everything should be done. You are in control of yourself and the ability to restrain oneself in certain situations is one of the many traits of a great person

[@A5p3r07h]

Childhood. Back when books were chiseled into stone, and read by torch light.

[@Vikki_T]

I remember my first time listening to this song I thought it would be pretty chill all the way through, but it's a really deep song and music video about the different paths of life we choose to go down.

[@violentviolet80]

Watch it again. Then again. You heard it, but you didn’t listen.

[@rushen6803]

this was a banger back in the day!

[@bowflex1990]

Yes sir 👏

[@703ltrain]

Flobots "I.R.A.Q"

[@MinimumGnome]

Please do "Rise" or "Stand Up" by them.

[@alangarcia5693]

Stand up We shall not be moved Except by a child with no socks and shoes If you've got more to give than you've got to prove Put your hands up and I'll copy you

[@hecner]

Yes!!! Stand up is one of my favs.

[@nickwindholz7912]

These 2 are great.... also white flag 🏳 warrior!

[@mattnoonan6519]

Yes! Along with Anne Braden. I still listen to the album.

[@MinimumGnome]

I also love Circle n the Square

[@EloquentTroll]

The Flobots are 1000% worth more of your time. Leftist Hip Hop/Ska/Rock Hybrid alone is worth attention.

[@nightlyrowentree6047]

Omg lol my uncle would take all of us kids to school and that's all he would listen to in the car lol over and over

[@bakedgrapeape4645]

please do Anne Braden from flobots, amazing song

[@Comrade_mommy]

I love this song and vid. I feel like it was given that lofi vibe on purpose. But I think with the video you can see the song is about two ppl. Two friends who take different paths. One who stays local being good to his community on a grassroots level, while the other becomes egotistical and obsessed with accruing power. It could also be a metaphor for an internal struggle, stay humble and live simply while helping fellow humans; or become successful yet power hungry. Idk, but when my kid was 3 this was her jam. This song and feel good inc by gorillaz, for real by okkervile river and funeral by band of horses. Those were the songs she loved that weren’t about being a dinosaur or a chicken with a shakey egg. You know toddler songs.

[@andrewcavallo1877]

It is in fact about how you have the power to do anything you set your mind to, but more importantly it’s about how that power can be used to do good things or bad, and to always strive to use this immense capability for the good of others. Simple choices can save lives, or take them.

[@Bitcoinbeacon77]

I really enjoyed watching you embrace the meaning. Your good with me.

[@Appreciation-Community]

I think the song is about how the world and it's systems seem to corrupt even the most noble men and their lofty ideals. About how a little boy with pure and righteous dreams can be broken and changed by the darkness of the world he is forced to live in.

[@robertcastro5574]

@kuroryuu010 bingo. Could not have said it any better myself!

[@kharmapolice7]

Love, love, love this one. Great song.

[@bowflex1990]

I looked up this song bro I use to jam this back in the day this is real music that has meaning. Subbed ✊🏽

[@coulterbenner4331]

This video and song were made after a comic came out in a news paper (drawing/animation style of the video). The comic was of the president of the United States riding a bike and saying something like, "Look! No Hands". It wasn't until you looked closer you saw that the bike said U.S.A on it

[@BabyNinjaVlog]

wow, i knew this song since i was a kid, amaze by the fact that lots of people doesnt know about this song.

[@baulzzzzzzz2278]

Dude needed this today just started watching as you’ve dove into system and this one was a banger back in the day they were cerebral as fuck this album came out when I was in Jr high and it really made me think with more perspective

[@runthemeows1197]

My man, you are pumping out content like there's no tomorrow! For sure one of my fav channels these days!

[@totallynottrademarked5279]

Groups like the Flobots often restore my faith in the ability of hip hop to evolve and continue to tell stories. Something that was lost over the years in the mainstream.

[@andybrown629]

Yeah, this song is the epitome of "slow burn."

[@rageagaintstheNWO]

Mass murder of sorts..lmao, you mean total nuclear annihilation? Yeah, mass murder of sorts.

[@kawasaki3070]

Seeing Flobots in concert was a true joy.

[@mikebunch3189]

at 3:27 , homeboy said that he did not understand this video ... i felt the same way when i saw it ....

[@poasttoasties6655]

the song is like an exercise in the dangers of one upsmanship

[@Mexishark909]

This is part of my College playlist! I love this song and need this song, my playlist isnt complete without Flobots, blink, system, gym class, animal ant farm, CHumbawhoomba, bare naked, sublime, sum 41, tool, cky, green day, i might of missed more but those are my college years musts.

[@eisforerock]

Hello fellow 31 year old

[@joehynes5452]

This is far and away their best song but their a great, unique group. I Can't believe this song is almost 15yrs old, seemed like yesterday I was bumpin this Rise, and Stand Up.. Rattle the Cage, The Moon, Circle in the Square, White Flag Warrior, and Run Run Run are all good too.

[@SuttonsQuest]

Free the Robots, Survival Tactics, Vibe Ratings, any of Capital Steezs music you’ll love

[@JEBrink]

Snap I forgot about flobots. 👍

[@tyrantmind]

Please do "Flobots - Stand Up" such a good flow. Really brings in the strings!

[@coryernewein]

OOoooOOOo...this will be be good!

[@jesterscupcake]

Ahhh one of the favorites from back in the day.

[@trevorwalden6097]

I agree with a of people here. This song definitely talks about how you can do anything but more than that it's a song about how absolute power corrupts absolutely

[@cheebagardens1759]

I saw Flobots when they opened for Rage Against The Machine at the free show for DNC in Denver. In 2008.

[@JBezza]

Ahh bro! This was one of the first rap songs I learnt the words to back in school! Years ago now !

[@aaronemblem266]

When I was big into bmx and skateboarding listening to this made it easier to find a rhythm while riding or skating a line

[@tolkienfan10]

The message is not that "you can do anything". The message, for me anyway, is that yes, you may be able to do anything but is that one thing morally correct? Yes, you can split the atom of a molecule but should you? You see two friends embrace and then separate at a corner, going in different directions. One chooses the path of corporate and then political success. One chooses to keep it simple. Eventually, the two friends meet as enemies as their goals gradually become counterpoint to the other.

[@coryernewein]

That video is a walkthrough of two boys lives and shows the divide that is growing between most of the world. Very powerful when you put the whole package together, it took me a few listens back in my early 20's to grasp the whole concept.

[@WarriorsSon]

Yes. They had a difference of opinion and still rode away together as friends. Imagine that. Cause that's the end. Everything was imagined.

[@youdidntseeanything8589]

Dude, tell me you are on the radio somewhere. Your voice is amazing!

[@Sagitarria]

This song is about feelings of control can lead to hubris and power. and how we have to fight that tendency.

[@travisgreene3509]

Thanks for reminding me this song existed. Saw this band live.

[@InfernalAdze]

If you're going Flobots then you need to hear the song Anne Braden

[@JEBrink]

There is another America

[@justinmills2360]

Bro I have been wracking my brain to try and remember this bands name! Ty

[@lukeg3983]

Sir! Please react to more of this album! I honestly haven't watched your reaction yet but I know you would love their other stuff on this album.

[@booyarenndikki]

ive raised both of my kids on this entire album, i think music is as important as food and shelter and love etc...

[@danieldelgadillo9531]

Flobots are sick! Please do more

[@kylebrooks338]

Damn I never thought flobots would be on reactions

[@TravisLackey]

The theme song of "That Escalated Quickly."

[@ianobrien3248]

Great tune. Great album as well.

[@Kellethorn]

I honestly wonder if the vocal recording was done like that on purpose; it almost gives the song an "old" feeling, like listening to a record from the 60's, but then the instruments are super clean and crisp. Almost a subtle way of saying "this is the same old message, but glossed in new, 'modern', packaging."

[@efcon8646]

You can do anything, but should you, is the message

[@Airbearncubz]

This song came out in 2005 which is crazy because I really feel like it’s been longer then that. I love this song, I love the message behind it & this band is doing great things still in 2021… the basic point of this song and idea of the video(that I take away from it) is that as humans we are all born pure and with good in us, however we have the ability to become corrupt. even with the best intentions we can cause serious damage to ourselves & others around us. The two boys(who I think were brothers) became enemies & nobody won. In the end of it, they go back to the mood in the start of the song & this is the innocents that they always had inside them but killed with hate & fear.

[@elijahquigley4145]

"give me more trumpets" that's what I'm saying!

[@train-addict4656]

You Can Do Anything, Awesome review or this piece . When I first heard this song thought it was Silly …but it is Dynamic is many ways . Can Take a Remote apart and almost put it back Together “..!

[@JonnyPhive]

And yes Flobots are a live music Hip-hop group.

[@trippyeyes1477]

The little details of the video get to me. Never even noticed the street sign in the beginning of the video followed by the hawk eating the dove that told you exactly how the song would progress.

[@erichart2756]

Stand Up-Flobots is a classic track I'll always love that song

[@TheDeadWax]

Check out By The Time You Get This Message!

[@theirishconservative2536]

It's about how all things start with the best intentions and more often goes bad

[@Dowinohue]

Live instruments, saw the group play live and was fantastic. Great musicians and artist. They are one of the, few groups I can think of that does more political/civil rights esque content.

[@TheSpacemannspiff]

'Absolute power corrupts absolutely' The Song.

[@youdidntseeanything8589]

We CAN do whatever we want, and some people want to unite, and build, and some want to profit, and destroy.

[@javalily]

This song is just as relevant today, as it was the day it was made.