The New Ok Lyrics
A world that ain't worth knowing in the palm of our hands
Tried putting the blame on misunderstanding
Village in flames, earthquake, crash landings
She's a laugh a minute from a joke so cruel
Weighted blanket in a swimming pool
Okey-dokey for a broken fool
A new hand sign for your twisted ways
It's the new OK
Deep in my own head, drenched from the cups
I thought going downtown might cheer me up
We promised each other we wouldn't let it get too rough
Said let me know son when you've had enough
Said let me know when you've had your fill
A force of nature and a force of will
Break your spirit when it gets revealed
That you settled for an injury instead of a kill
Blood on your hands, a pointless kill
How we lost our way
It's the new OK
And I wonder if the life we lived
Will be around when the weight is lifted
Off the ground when the plates have shifted
And it's all burned to the ground
Will we rise up from where we're planted
With our fists up to the sun
Or will we settle for tear-gassed eyes
Staring down the gun
Black lives matter, holding up the line
We got mommies and vets taking fire
From the cops on the beat and the occupiers
It's 11:29 and the shit comes down
Shooting volleys from behind the fence
Smashing medics and the once-free press
It gets bloody and it gets messy
Goons with guns coming out to play
It's a battle for the very soul of the USA
It's the new OK
It's the new OK
It's the new OK
About
The song was released in the fall of 2020. On the YouTube description of the official music video, Patterson Hood wrote:
“My adopted hometown of Portland has been the scene of massive protests since the police killing of George Floyd this summer. Much of the protesting has been peaceful. Almost all of it within a few square block area of downtown surrounding the Federal Building. However, as the summer wore on, rightwing and white supremacist groups also began counter protesting, sometimes with violent results.
The federal government sent in troops, against the wishes of our state and local government, adding to the violence and negativity.
I attended a peaceful protest on July 25th. As I was walking home that night around midnight, I could hear the sounds of teargas canisters being launched against the protesters. As I was walking alone across the bridge, I couldn’t help but notice the people who were walking in the other direction. They seemed to have a very different intent than the people I had been marching with all evening.
This footage was shot this summer in downtown Portland Oregon.
The OK hand sign dates back over 175 years. It has recently been co-opted and used as a sort of coded message from white supremacist groups.
The New OK is NOT OK!
Protesting is an American right, protected by the constitution.
We fully support the right to peaceful protest.
We are steadfastly opposed to white supremacy and bigotry.
We do not condone violence from anyone.
Including the federal troops or the police.
Make your voice heard. Get out and vote."
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.The New Ok
- 7.The Distance
