You All Everybody

Drive Shaft's song "You All Everybody" serves as a rebellious anthem against societal expectations and superficial judgments. The lyrics reflect a sense of disillusionment with the people around the narrator, who seem to be caught up in materialism and shallow behavior. The repeated phrase "You all, everybody" acts as a direct address to society, calling out the collective behavior of acting foolishly while being preoccupied with appearances, symbolized by "wearing expensive clothes."

The song's narrative is deeply personal, as the narrator walks around their town, observing the people and feeling a sense of alienation. The lines "They have given up on me / I can see it in their eyes" suggest a mutual disconnection between the narrator and society. This disconnection is further emphasized by the narrator's declaration of having given up on others as well. The song captures the frustration of being judged based on past actions and the struggle to be accepted for who they are now. The narrator's defiance is clear in the lines, "I don't care now what you've seen / I'm just doing what I can," highlighting a desire to live authentically despite societal pressures.

The chorus, with its repetitive and almost chant-like quality, reinforces the song's message of defiance and nonconformity. The narrator's frustration culminates in the line, "And will you get the message now? / When I cross my heart and shout it out damn loud?" This powerful declaration underscores the urgency and intensity of the narrator's feelings. Drive Shaft's musical style, characterized by its raw energy and rock influences, complements the song's rebellious theme, making "You All Everybody" a compelling critique of societal norms and the pressure to conform.