St. Denis: "Weapon" Bastille, Angel Haze, F*U*G*Z, Braque (Maya)

St. Denis: "Weapon" Bastille, Angel Haze, F*U*G*Z, and Braque

Lyrics:
This is vocal detection
Front line open intellection
Outlining all his imperfections
This is his f*cking confession
Right now you cause that what
Screaming you want it and more
Sit down and amass the weapon
Right now your voice is a weapon

Wake up to stars in the sky
Watch light revolve with your mind
Watch all the storms in the rise
And put all your palms in the sky
No more falling to pressure
No more failing acceptance
Throw all your hells towards the heavens
'Cause your voice is a weapon

And your voice is a weapon
And we'll do with it what we can
And your voice is a weapon
And we'll do with it what we can

I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms

We dance with the devils
And make your halos the color of sinner's portraits
And smothering it means everything's lovely again
Nothing is quite as it seems
Society's all a disease
Kill all your fear in your sleep
'Cause everything's formed in a dream

Breathe in insanity's grip
Words from insanity's lips
Falling from sanity's cliff
Watching your vanity slip
No more falling to pressure
No more failing acceptance
Throw all your hells towards the heavens
'Cause your voice is a weapon

And your voice is a weapon
And we'll do with it what we can
And your voice is a weapon
And we'll do with it what we can

I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms

Pressure that deepen the cut
When will the evil erupt?
Volcanic fever is lost
That sh*t will even it out

Pressure is feeding the dust
Breakfast is keeping the cut
Vengeance is me speaking up
This is me speaking up

And your voice is a weapon
This is vocal confession
And it's shooting you down, down, down

And your voice is a weapon
This is vocal confession
And we're shooting you down, down, down

And your voice is a weapon
And we'll do with it what we can
And your voice is a weapon
And we'll do with it what we can

I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms again
I'll fall into your arms

And choose your voice and etch that on your soul
Make them heard when crowds drown out your cold
Leave behind your questions, silent thoughts, and mentions
The wake has to be left so never falter down, down

Your voice is a weapon
So do with it what you can
Your voice is a weapon
So do with it what you can

Leave behind your questions, silent thoughts, and mentions
Your voice is a weapon
So do with it what you can

Analysis:
“Weapon” by Bastille, Angel Haze, F*U*G*Z, and Braque is about realizing that you matter, and then using your voice, actions, and/or words to make the change you want to see in the world. One of the song’s biggest messages is that you should speak out against the problems you see in society. “Choose your voice and etch that on your soul,/ Make them heard when crowds drown out your cold.” Speak up, and do not let society push its ideals onto you which is perfect for revolution as a whole as well as the Friends of the ABC, especially Enjolras. The rebels are all believe in a better society, a better world, and are willing to fight, to die, for their voices to be heard. After murdering Le Cabuc, Enjolras says, "It will come, citizens, that day when all shall be concord, harmony, light, joy, and life... and it is that it may come that we are going to die" (Hugo 437). Enjolras and the men he leads are confident that their actions at the barricade will make a difference. They understand the power of their words, their actions, and are choosing to "do with it what [they] can." No longer will they allow society to oppress them. As Angel Haze sings, "No more falling to pressure / No more failing acceptance." The rebels may not be in the majority, but that will not stop them from trying.

Even Monsieur Mabeuf joins in on the hype, choosing to sacrifice himself for the rebellion. Prior to entering the barricade, Hugo gives no indication that Mabeuf cares deeply for the ABC's cause,yet he chooses to join them in their quest, dying right after shouting, "Vive la revolution! Vive la republique! Fraternity! Equality! And death!" (Hugo 445). With his life hanging on the precipice of death and his life's work gone, there was little Mabeuf had to live for. It is safe to say, then, that his decision to sacrifice himself was made with the idea that if he were to die soon, he might as well make it worthwhile. Perhaps he was more of a reluctant rebel, but the fact still remains that he, "threw all [his] hells toward the heavens / 'Cause [his] voice is a weapon." In the end, he was able to give his death meaning, because he chose to make his words and actions count, to use them to fight for a better world.

Audio: