Reconsider Everything
by 311

Album: Evolver (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song has a great lesson that can be used by many in today's society, where people make decisions based on what others think and do. It expresses how important one's individuality truly is. It essentially creates a similar emphasis on one's well-being as an individual as 311's "Come Original" does. This song opens up with lines asking the listeners questions regarding how much longer will they allow society (or socially accepted policies) to run their lives.

    At the end of each stanza 311 asks the listener to reconsider everything they see as the popular or socially accepted thing for themselves, and to not follow what everyone else does. They continue to advise the listeners to follow their heart because, "Every time you will ignore your heart, it will come back twice more." They also insist to, "Never deny your own instinct," meaning that if someone is in a situation where they are being told to do something because it is the cool or popular thing but it truly goes against their instincts or morals, they shouldn't do it. Don't be a follower! The song reiterates Robert Frost's message in his poem The Road Not Taken: "I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Don - Baltimore, MD

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.