Get a Rise

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a world driven by superficial stimulation and the pursuit of immediate gratification. The narrator observes various figures – politicians, working men, even a solitary lady – all seemingly seeking some kind of 'rise,' a jolt of excitement or arousal. This is amplified by imagery like 'Colour TV before your eyes' and 'put a tiger in your tank,' suggesting a culture saturated with advertising and manufactured energy. The central tension lies between this external push for excitement and the narrator's own resilient spirit. While the world around them is chasing a 'rise,' the repeated assertion 'I'll survive' acts as a powerful counterpoint. It suggests a personal anchor, a refusal to be swept up in the manufactured frenzy, finding strength not in external stimuli but in an internal capacity to endure. The phrase 'get a rise' itself is a masterstroke of ambiguity, hinting at both excitement and perhaps a more cynical, manipulative gain. This is juxtaposed with the almost primal, yet ultimately comforting, image of 'kiss the baby's frown,' a small act of tenderness amidst the clamor. The repetition of 'I'll survive' in the outro isn't just a statement of endurance; it becomes a mantra, a declaration of self-possession against the backdrop of a world obsessed with fleeting highs.