Story Behind The Song
Code-switching refers to:
"...the modifying of one's speech, behaviour, appearance, etc. to adapt to different sociocultural norms."
This is brought to life with lyrics such as the hook "I can switch, I can switch, I can Tik Tok and Blow, all the supervised lies, and the future don't know" and the assertive "No! I will not compromise. Rules! Rules are meant to be, broken."
My song celebrates this as a skill, while also grieving at repressing so much of what makes me who I am, just to keep others from treating me differently because of my race or heritage".
Song Description
'Switch' is an energising and defiant rock song that examines race and identity, while growing up as a mixed race brown girl in the suburbs of Australia. With it's mesmerising guitar riffs and unique, bluesy-rock vocals, 'Switch' explores themes of racial discrimination and code switching.
| Song Length |
3:42 |
Genre |
Rock - Modern, Pop - Rock |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Tense, In High Spirits |
Subject |
Race/Ethnicity, General |
| Similar Artists |
Janet, Whitney Houston |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Can't be myself around strangers
I hide, in plain sight
Like an agent, undercover
My cloak is my smile
Don't chip away at my identity
Don't trip out on my ancestry
Big hair, brown skin
Roots north, off the coast of Darwin
I got my super high highs
And my super low lows
I can switch, I can switch,
I can Tik Tok and Blow!
All the supervised lies
And the future don't know
I can switch, I can switch,
I can, TikTok and Blow!
You! Can't turn my volume down
No! I will not compromise
Rules! Rules are meant to be, broken
Broken like my eyes....
I got my super high highs
And my super low lows
I can switch, I can switch,
I can Tik Tok and Blow!
All the supervised lies
And the future don't know
I can switch, I can switch,
I can, TikTok and Blow!
Turn me upside down
Turnin' white from brown
No big, no bold
Stolen rivers of gold
I got my super high highs
And my super low lows
I can switch, I can switch,
I can Tik Tok and Blow!
All the supervised lies
And the future don't know
I can switch, I can switch,
I can, TikTok and Blow!
I got my super high highs
And my super low lows
I can switch, I can switch,
I can Tik Tok and Blow!
All the supervised lies
And the future don't know
I can switch, I can switch,
I can, TikTok and Blow!