Most often, we witness artists writing meaningful songs, usually about love, friendship or pain which one might have felt within their own past. These songs seem to be repetitive, yet we still spend millions of dollars by downloading them or buying their CDs. On the other hand, songs about our government are rarely played and are ignored by the population. Songs such as "Handle Bars" from the Flobots for example, quickly disappeared from our radio stations. This song demonstrates how the relationship between freedom and power is a constant struggle. With the support of their music video and lyrics, the Flobots did not shy away from sending out a powerful message to our present and future generations. This song identifies strong issues within our modern world and how it remains corrupted through time.  

 

At first, when we listen to the lyrics, we hear their message. We understand that they are speaking about the government and its corruption. However, we do not completely interpret their message without watching and analyzing their music video. Harsh, cruel but nonetheless real. As the video begins, we see two friends riding their bicycles with no hands until they reach a point in their life where they need to make a choice: corporation or freedom. At first, the boy who opted towards freedom, speaks about how great it is; the ability to read a book, write a comic book or even how good it is to be alive. Yet, this freedom is quickly taken away from his friend who became corporate. Jamie Laurie, singer of the Flobots, said himself about his video "we have so much incredible potential as human beings to be destructive or to be creative". Without a doubt, our society has reached a point where we could solve so many world issues and made it possible for ideas to become a reality  Still, our society decides to use brilliant minds for weapons of mass destruction or new ways of destroying our planet. These two different ideologies are part of our society. Whichever we decide as a person, our choice impacts who we become.  

 

As shown, throughout the video, freedom and power do not work well together. Those in power want to maintain their power and gain more, while freedom simply wants peace. The first, power, becomes blinded and forgets the difference between right and wrong. "I can lead a nation with a microphone" (Flobots) this part of the song demonstrates the influence that power can give to someone. "I can handout a million vacinations, or let 'em all die in exasperation. Have em' all healed from their lacerations. Or have 'em all killed by assassination. I can make anybody go to prison, just because I don't like them." The first friend, describes his ability to save the world or destroy it. Still, this responsibility allows a single person to take lives and freedom from those who are innocent. The second friend, freedom, is constantly being destroyed until the day they have had enough and decide to stand up for their rights. This is where we witness power killing freedom in the video.  

 

Whether we want to accept it or not, our world is being controlled by people with microphones. The corporations have removed freedom from the lower classes of society. Flobots perfectly demonstrate humanity's intelligence and innocence. The creative ideas that constantly increased our advancement in technology. Yet, rather than helping one another, helping those in need, we prefer to build stronger armies. In today's society, power has become more important than respect, love and freedom. Sadly, the Flobots' song is precise. As those who hide behind a microphone continue to rule, those fighting for free continue to witness society diminish.