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Did Stephan Jenkins Write The First Occupy Wall Street Song?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 18, 2011
Modified Nov 18, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 18, 2011
Modified Nov 18, 2011
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You knew an Occupy Wall Street anthem was coming, right? It looks like Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins got there first, penning and recording a track in support of the movement, which you can listen to here; it takes some soundbytes from actual protesters, though oddly, includes no "Mic Check!"
Not to be a 3EB apologist (never forget "Non-Dairy Creamer"), but Jenkins is actually a smart guy, graduating as valedictorian of his class from UC Berkeley (despite suffering from both ADHD and dyslexia), and seems to be genuinely supportive of the movement, saying: "I hope it achieves its goals of starting new politics that are counter to the trend towards oligarchy that's been increasingly foisted on us these last few years. 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 unlike some people, Jenkins isn't doing this to profit from the protest, he's offering up the track as a free download, and asks that if you like it, you donate to Occupy. The lyrics are below, and (flashback!) a few years ago he sang us some songs in our office, which you can revisit here.
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
chorus:
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 master's 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
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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