Alternative rockers "Third Eye Blind," who've sold millions of albums in their decade and a half on the published scene, released this week one of the highest-profile songs in support of the "Occupy" movement yet.
Titled "If There Ever Was A Time," the track opens with the sounds of protesters reacting to an injury sustained by Marine veteran Scott Olsen, who was late last month, fracturing his skull.
"If there ever was a time, it would be now, to make the masters hear this," they sing. "If there ever was a time to get downtown, and get non violent and fearless, things only get brighter when you light a spark, everywhere you go right now is Zuccotti park."
Written by band member Stephen Jenkins, who's currently working on the band's fifth album, it goes on to urge listeners to join him at Zuccotti Park, or simply "occupy everything."
"'If There Ever Was A Time' is, at it's heart, a simple invitation to join the movement," he explained in a media advisory. "Particularly young people. I think college students are going to come to terms with the unfairness of student loans, the hallowing out of jobs from finance based capitalism, and the depletion of public wealth. When you take money out of politics, which is what Occupy Wall Street is about for me, you reverse these trends. This song is meant to encourage their participation. I hope we flood this movement with music."
"And news corps says you don't have a plan: well sit down man, I'll tell you again," the song goes. "The plan's to stand together up to greed, and a tear gas can in a veteran's face won't change the case."
The band released their new track exclusively through their Facebook page, encouraging people to share it freely with friends. Numerous copies have also popped up on YouTube.
"Third Eye Blind" isn't the only act getting in on the popular progressive movement: Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is planning his own "Occupy Wall St." concert, and "Rage Against the Machine" guitarist Tom Morello has of late been paying visits to protesters and , playing mini-concerts for occupiers. Sean Lennon, son of the famed "Beatles" frontman, has .
This video was published to YouTube on Nov. 16, 2011.
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LYRICS:
if there ever was a time, it would be now is all I'm saying if there ever was a time to get on your feet and take it to the street cause you're the one who's getting played right now by the game they're playing come on meet me down at Zuccotti park
oh where are the youth, we need you now
come speak the truth, come break it down
where are the youth, we need you now
if there ever was a time, it would be now
to make the masters hear this
if there ever was a time to get downtown
and get non violent and fearless
things only get brighter when you light a spark
everywhere you go right now is Zuccotti park
and news corps says you don't have a plan
well sit down man, i'll tell you again
the plan's to stand together up to greed
and a tear gas can in a veteran's face
won't change the case
(chorus)
if there ever was a time, it would be now
for the rest of us
if there ever was a time it would be now
cause money and power are incestuous
a moment makes a movement
or it fades out in the dark
come on meet me down at Zuccotti park
and i saw a sign in the oakland spring
it said "occupy everything!"
or by and for and off won't mean a thing
