Growing up, music often acts as a time capsule, instantly transporting you back to a specific moment. For me, Flobots’ 2009 hit, “Handlebars,” became one of those songs during my freshman year of high school in 2017. While the song had been around for years, it was during this time that its lyrics and powerful message truly resonated with me. I remember listening to “Handlebars” on repeat, captivated by its unique blend of alternative hip-hop and thought-provoking themes. Little did I know then how relevant the “Bike With No Handlebars Song” would become in understanding the complexities of the world just a few years later.
2020: A Year Riding a Bike With No Handlebars
Fast forward to 2020, my senior year, and the world felt like it had taken a sharp, unexpected turn. The optimism surrounding the new decade quickly dissolved as we faced a series of unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life globally, social unrest erupted in response to racial injustice and police brutality, and economic uncertainty loomed. It felt like we were collectively navigating uncharted territory, much like riding a bike with no handlebars – exhilarating but also incredibly precarious.
This sense of instability and lack of control mirrored the feeling evoked by “Handlebars.” The song, with its memorable imagery of riding a bike without handlebars, speaks to a sense of freedom and potential, but also hints at the dangers of unchecked power and directionless momentum.
“Handlebars” Song Meaning: Potential and Peril
According to Genius Lyrics, the core meaning of “Handlebars” revolves around “the independence we have once we’re free to choose our paths,” drawing inspiration from “the corruption of the 20th century and the change that it brought about.” Flobots’ MC Jonny 5 further elaborates, stating the song explores “the idea that we have so much potential as human beings to be destructive or to be creative.” This duality – the potential for creation or destruction – is central to understanding the “bike with no handlebars song” metaphor.
The act of riding a bike with no handlebars can be seen as a metaphor for wielding power without restraint or guidance. Initially, it might feel empowering, a display of skill and daring. However, without handlebars, direction becomes compromised, and the risk of losing control increases dramatically. This interpretation becomes particularly potent when considering leadership and governance.
Political Parallels: When Leaders Ride Without Handlebars
The original article from usabikers.net insightfully drew parallels between “Handlebars” and the political climate, specifically focusing on the Trump presidency. It argued that the song’s themes of unchecked power and ego resonated with the actions and style of the administration. While the original post focused on the 2020 context, the metaphor of the “bike with no handlebars song” extends beyond a single political figure or moment.
Any situation where individuals or institutions wield significant power without accountability, expertise, or a clear sense of responsibility can be seen as “riding a bike with no handlebars.” This could apply to corporations prioritizing profit over ethical practices, social media platforms amplifying misinformation, or indeed, political leaders making decisions without regard for expert advice or established norms.
Verse by Verse: Deconstructing the “Bike With No Handlebars Song” Lyrics
Let’s delve deeper into the lyrics of “Handlebars” to understand how they contribute to this powerful metaphor:
The opening line, “I can ride my bike with no handlebars,” immediately establishes the central image of the song. This act, initially perceived as a feat of skill and freedom, is quickly juxtaposed with lyrics that reveal a more complex and potentially darker side.
The first verse boasts a series of seemingly unrelated skills and accomplishments:
“Look at me, look at me
Hands in the air like it’s good to be
Alive, and I’m a famous rapper
Even when the paths are all crooked-y
I can show you how to do-si-do
I can show you how to scratch a record
I can take apart the remote control
And I can almost put it back together
I can tie a knot in a cherry stem
I can tell you about Leif Ericson
I know all the words to “De Colores”
And I’m proud to be an American
Me and my friends saw a platypus
Me and my friend made a comic book
And guess how long it took?
I can do anything that I want ’cause look—”
These lines, delivered with a childlike exuberance, can be interpreted as representing a focus on self-promotion and a belief in limitless capability. In a political context, this could be seen as mirroring leaders who prioritize personal validation and self-aggrandizement over substantive governance. The boastful tone and rapid-fire delivery emphasize a sense of ego and self-importance.
The lyrics “I can tell you about Leif Ericson” and “I know all the words to ‘De Colores’” can be seen as superficial displays of knowledge or patriotism, potentially masking a lack of genuine depth or understanding. This resonates with criticisms of leaders who prioritize rhetoric and symbolic gestures over concrete action and informed policy.
The chorus further reinforces the theme of pervasive presence and inescapable influence:
“And I can see your face on the telephone
On the telephone, on the telephone”
This repetition, particularly the line “And I can see your face on the telephone,” evokes the omnipresent nature of modern communication and media, and how figures in power can dominate public discourse and attention. In the original article, this was linked to Trump’s prolific use of Twitter. However, this line can be broadly interpreted to represent the overwhelming media presence of any powerful figure in the digital age. The image below, originally featured in the usabikers.net article, visually captures this idea of media saturation.
A Cartoon from the New Yorker that shows Trump showing North Korean Leader, Kim Jong Un Twitter from 2017
This cartoon poignantly illustrates how social media and constant communication can amplify the actions and pronouncements of leaders, for better or worse. The “bike with no handlebars song” metaphor, coupled with the “face on the telephone” imagery, paints a picture of power wielded without careful consideration or control, amplified by the reach of modern media.
Beyond Politics: The Universal Message of “Handlebars”
While the political interpretation of “Handlebars” is compelling, the song’s message resonates on a broader level. The “bike with no handlebars song” ultimately serves as a cautionary tale about the nature of power and responsibility. It reminds us that potential, whether individual or collective, must be guided by wisdom, ethics, and a commitment to the greater good.
The song urges listeners to consider the direction in which we are heading, both personally and as a society. Are we riding with purpose and control, or are we careening forward without handlebars, driven by ego and short-sighted ambition?
Conclusion: Choosing Direction Over Directionless Power
“Handlebars” by Flobots is more than just a catchy song; it’s a powerful metaphor for the complexities of power and control in the modern world. The “bike with no handlebars song” imagery serves as a potent reminder that true strength lies not just in capability, but in the responsible and ethical application of that capability. As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the message of “Handlebars” remains as relevant and thought-provoking as ever. It encourages us to critically examine the forces shaping our world and to advocate for leadership and systems that prioritize direction and responsibility over the dangerous allure of unchecked, handlebar-less power.
