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Only The Offspring could make an album as high octane as SUPERCHARGED. Aggressive yet melodic, distinctly SoCal yet universal, it’s a record that harnesses the unpredictable live-wire energy of life in the 21st century and turns it into a force both positive and inspiring.

“The title SUPERCHARGED sure sums up the world right now, where everyone seems to be fired up in real life and on social media,” says Dexter Holland, The Offspring’s founding singer, guitarist, and songwriter. “But it also refers to the sound of some of my favorite records, from AC/DC to Operation Ivy. Whether musically or culturally, that word hits you in a very visceral way.”

Produced by Bob Rock, the 10 songs on SUPERCHARGED capture The Offspring — pivotal in the birth of the Southern California punk scene — at peak strength. Holland’s lyrics are as sharp as a straight razor, and he delivers them via one of music’s most instantly recognizable voices. Lead guitarist Noodles, Holland’s right-hand man since 1985, shreds and slashes. In SUPERCHARGED singles like “Light It Up,” they live up to their reputation as one of punk rock’s most potent creative teams.

“‘Light It Up’ is a juggernaut. The character is fed up, he’s had enough, and he’s ready for a fight,” Holland says. “Growing up, some of my favorite songs were by punk bands that were like, ‘I’m sick of your shit,’ but were also trying to change things for the better. That’s the message of ‘Light It Up’: You’re fed up and you want to do something about it.”

The idea of improving your life is also the theme of lead single “Make It All Right,” a song heavy in California vibes that pairs melodic harmonies with Orange County guitar crunch. “I wanted to try and write a punk-rock Beach Boys song,” Holland says.

A hallmark of some of The Offspring’s biggest hits, from “Come Out and Play” to “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy),” the song is punctuated by a spoken-word refrain. “All I want to do is to fly away with you,” a woman’s voice declares.

“I see those spoken-word parts as kind of musical hooks. A fresh voice can put a song in a different zone, and especially with ‘Make It All Right,’ I thought that particular voice was right for it,” Holland says. “The song is about a guy whose girlfriend is reminding him that everything is going to be ok. But she’s not a pushover — in one lyric, she tells him, ‘Just suck it up!’ He likes that.”

In “OK, But This Is the Last Time,” The Offspring return to the familiar notion of being a sucker. “Noodles calls this song ‘Self Esteem Part Two,’” Holland laughs.

But Holland actually had his kids in mind while writing the lyrics, not a temperamental, hard-to-please girlfriend. “I’ll say no and you’ll say yes/Then I’ll say OK, but this is the last time,” he sings in the chorus, detailing a negotiation that always ends the same way.

“One of the cool things about music and lyrics is that it should be open to interpretation,” he says. “I’ve written some songs that are very much an actual story, like ‘Self Esteem,’ but I like that this song can be taken in different ways. It can be about your girlfriend, or your kids having a meltdown, and that’s part of the fun of it.”

Holland pokes a little fun at a comment musicians hear every time they announce a tour, with the IYKYK song “Come to Brazil.” A standout of the album, it features heavy guitars, shoutouts to Brazilian customs, and a rousing soccer chant. Holland considers it a love letter to South American fans. “Brazil really does go off. It has an enthusiasm and passion and is an amazing place to play,” he says. “I hope the fans make this song their own.”

Since returning from a nearly 10-year break between albums so that Holland could earn his PhD in molecular biology from USC, The Offspring have been unrelenting. They marked the 30th anniversary of their six-time Platinum album Smash this year, released the chart-topping Let the Bad Times Roll in 2021, and added to their 40 million (and counting) album sales worldwide. They also continue to tour the globe — yes, including Brazil — thrilling longtime fans and connecting with a new generation full of the same angst and aggression on which The Offspring were built.

This past year, Queen guitarist Brian May and Ed Sheeran each joined them onstage at different concerts, with Sheeran impressing the band by lifting up his shirt to reveal an Offspring tattoo. Holland, who wrote his dissertation on HIV research, bonded with May over their shared science backgrounds.

“Some people see it as a contradiction to have a science degree and yet be into music, but there is a connection there. Music is mathematical in the way it can be structured, and if you take just enough of that, it can help you in your songwriting,” he says.

Holland is one of rock’s true renaissance men, a licensed pilot and certified flight instructor who volunteers for medical transport flights when he’s not piloting the band to gigs. He runs his own hot sauce company too — Gringo Bandito — just one more facet to a band that is arguably the most interesting in rock & roll.

“We just want to connect with the world, and SUPERCHARGED does that like a big punch in the face,” Holland says. “We’re pumped to be putting this record out and to hit the road behind it next year, bringing the music to our fans who have been with us for so long.”

Lyrics

LOOKING OUT FOR # 1 (03:17)

Take it to the limit

I’m your sucker

Here to win it

That dumb look on my face is sayin’

You could have your way with me

Never could have known it

Would have blown it

In a minute

So don’t you take my place

Cause it’s a race

To mock adversity

I’m just looking out for #1

(Looking out for #1)

I’m just looking out for #1

(Looking out for #1)

Move it up or move it out

It’s my way

My way

And I really don’t care what you say

Looking out for #1

Well we used to believe

In the hope and the dream

Then they hit you with their lies

Hit you with their lies

When they turn you away

And there’s nothing to say

Well they’ve cut you down to size

We see it in your eyes

Take me to the bottom

Cause we got him and we know it

Abandon and boycott ‘em

Should have shot him it’s a travesty

Suckers keep on suckin’

While they’re crushin’ and you know it

So smoke ‘em if you got ‘em

Cause that cloud of yours is killing me

I’m just looking out for #1

(Looking out for #1)

I’m just looking out for #1

(Looking out for #1)

Move it up or move it out

It’s my way

My way

And I really don’t care what you say

Looking out for #1

Well we used to believe

In the hope and the dream

Then they hit you with their lies

Hit you with their lies

When they turn you away

And there’s nothing to say

Well they’ve cut you down to size

We see it in your eyes

I’m just looking out for #1

(Looking out for #1)

I’m just looking out for #1

(Looking out for #1)

I’m just looking out for #1

(Looking out for #1)

Number One

Well we used to believe

In the hope and the dream

Then they hit you with their lies

Hit you with their lies

When they turn you away

And there’s nothing to say

Well they’ve cut you down to size

We see it in your eyes

Well we used to believe

In the hope and the dream

Then they hit you with their lies

They’ll bust you up inside

When they turn you away

And there’s nothing to say

Yeah they’ve cut you down to size

We see it in your eyes

LIGHT IT UP (02:52)

Get on your knees

Tell me what you believe

In the middle of the night

Cause you’ll never make it right

I get no relief

From the pain underneath

And it’s all in the fight

Everybody takes a bite

I’m here in the way

You don’t know what to say

‘Cause you can’t face the facts

When they’ve caught you in the act

Prometheus to Armageddon

We’re right on track

Like a panic attack

Got a rocket on my back

(Whoa-oh-oh) Now I’m energized

(Whoa-oh-oh) I’m ready for a fight

(Whoa-oh-oh) I’m sick of being nice

(Whoa-oh-oh) Light it up, light it up, light it up

Got a rocket on my back

It’s the same old song

That we’ve heard all along

It’s a loss by degrees

It’s society’s disease

I’ve been pushed around

Been holding it down

While you stab me in the back

And I think I’m gonna crack

I’m sick of the way

That you throw it away

Like a rabbit in the hat

When they’ve caught you in the act

Prometheus to Armageddon

We’re right on track

Like a panic attack

Got a rocket on my back

(Whoa-oh-oh) Now I’m energized

(Whoa-oh-oh) I’m ready for a fight

(Whoa-oh-oh) I’m sick of being nice

(Whoa-oh-oh) Light it up, light it up, light it up

Got a rocket on my back

(Whoa-oh-oh-oh) Got a rocket on my back

And I think I’m gonna crack

Light it up, light it up

Got a rocket on my back

Now I’m energized

I’m ready for a fight

Yeah-ah

Yeah-ah-ah-ah

Yeah-ah

Yeah-ah-ah-ah

It’s the same old song

That we’ve heard all along

It’s a loss by degrees

It’s society’s disease

I’ve been pushed around

Been holding it down

While you stab me in the back

And I think I’m gonna crack

I’m here in the way

You don’t know what to say

‘Cause you can’t face the facts

When they’ve caught you in the act

Prometheus to Armageddon

We’re right on track

Like a panic attack

Got a rocket on my back

(Whoa-oh-oh) Now I’m energized

(Whoa-oh-oh) I’m ready for a fight

(Whoa-oh-oh) I’m sick of being nice

(Whoa-oh-oh) Light it up, light it up, light it up

Got a rocket on my back

(Whoa-oh-oh-oh) Got a rocket on my back

THE FALL GUY (02:34)

I’ve never been okay with the things you make me do

Been swallowing my pride but I think those days are through

I dealt with it all ‘cause I didn’t know any other way

(Whoa)

I followed you around when I should have cut and run

(Whoa)

I gotta blame myself now it’s all been said and done

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

I’m done with it all now I know there’s gotta be a better way

I’m the fall guy

It’s okay

Make a small light on my way

When I see you, it’s all right

Never be you, with all my might

I’ve been running around ‘cause I don’t know what to do

I thought without you there that I’d never make it through

You can’t win ‘em all, and it’s never gonna make it go away

(Whoa)

I can’t believe now I ever thought that it was fun

(Whoa)

I’ll never look back, now it’s all been said and done

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

I’m done with it all now I know there’s gotta be a better way

I’m the fall guy

It’s okay

Make a small light on my way

When I see you, it’s all right

Never be you, with all my might

(Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa)

I’ve never been okay with the things you make me do

Been swallowing my pride but I think those days are through

I dealt with it all ‘cause I didn’t know any other way

(Whoa)

I followed you around when I should have cut and run

(Whoa)

I gotta blame myself now it’s all been said and done

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

I’m done with it all now I know there’s gotta be a better way

I’m the fall guy

It’s okay

Make a small light on my way

When I see you, it’s all right

Never be you, with all my might

MAKE IT ALL RIGHT (03:34)

(All I want to do is to fly away with you)

No matter what I say

You’re always there to give a smile

Just suck it up, you’ll say

Say it only hurts for a while

Show me the way

Never obey

Gimme black clouds on a summer day

No matter what, it’s fine

We’re like one step over the line

Say it Zoe, away we go

Turn around you’re gonna make it so it’s all right

And you make it all right

(All I want to do is to fly away with you)

We’re gonna fly away

Making fun of everyone

We’ll wax our wings and pray

But don’t get too close to the sun

Show me the way

Never obey

Gimme black clouds on a summer day

No matter what, it’s fine

You’re like one step over the line

Say it Zoe, away we go

Turn around you’re gonna make it so it’s all right

And you make it all right

I don’t mind you, maybe I’m confused

And you make it all right

And it’s gonna be fine

We’re like partners in crime

And you make it all right

And it’s gonna be fine

Show me the way

Never obey

Gimme black clouds on a summer day

You know, I don’t mind you

SuperNova too

We’re like partners in crime

Say it Zoe, away we go

Turn around you’re gonna make it so it’s all right

And you make it all right

No matter what I say

(All I want to do is to fly away with you)

And it’s gonna be fine

No matter what I say

(I don’t mind you, maybe I’m confused)

(All I want to do is to fly away with you)

And you make it all right

No matter what I say

I don’t mind you, SuperNova too

(All I want to do is to fly away with you)

And it’s gonna be fine

No matter what I say

I don’t mind you, maybe I’m confused

Turn around you’re gonna make it so it’s all right

No matter what I say

I don’t mind you, maybe I’m confused

Turn around you’re gonna make it so it’s all right

And you make it all right

OK, BUT THIS IS THE LAST TIME (03:23)

There’s just one more thing

While you’re running back and forth in my mind

I’ll do anything

To put the meltdown off for a while

Well there’s a million things that I’d rather do

Than to keep from being stuck on you

I’ll do anything

So I don’t get sent to the back of the line

Oh, you know it’s true

I’m living proof

I’m a sucker for you

So here we go again

Take me, take me, take me for a ride

Make me, make me put revenge aside

I’ll say no and you’ll say yes

Then I’ll say Ok, but this is the last time

Take me, take me darkest Valentine

Make me, make me drink again tonight

I’ll say no, and you’ll say yes

Then I’ll say okay, but this is the last time

Even though I say

That I’m gonna stand up to you

It just works this way

Make a separate dinner for you

It turns out that I’ve got time for that

Who’s the boss well we’ve established that

I’ll do anything

So I don’t get sent to the back of the line

Oh, you know it’s true

I’m living proof

I’m a sucker for you

And I’d do it all again

Take me, take me yes I’ll hold your stuff

Break me, break me too much not enough

Baby, baby tell me what you want

I’ll say Ok, but this is the last time

Take me, take me dearest Valentine

Make me, make me drink again tonight

I’ll say no, and you’ll protest

Then I’ll say Ok, but this is the last time

I’ll say Ok, but this is the last time

Even though I say

I’ll do anything

So I don’t get sent to the back of the line

Oh, you know it’s true

I’m living proof

I’m a sucker for you

So here we go again

Take me, take me, take me for a ride

Make me, make me put revenge aside

I’ll say no and you’ll say yes

Then I’ll say Ok, but this is the last time

Take me, take me darkest Valentine

Make me, make me drink again tonight

I’ll say no, and you’ll say yes

Then I’ll say Ok, but this is the last time

I’ll say Ok, but this is the last time

TRUTH IN FICTION (02:00)

The video you’re seeing now is not as it appears

Manipulated pixels are confirming all my fears

These toothpicks hold my eyelids up so I can’t look away there’s no more tears

Oo-oh

I know we’ll never make it up to who we were before

Insanity is waking up and knocking on our door

Humanity is aching I can’t take it anymore

Well aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s what we’ve made

Aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s what we’ve made

Truth in fiction

The fantasy is ending and our dreams are fading fast

Reality is bending while the truth becomes the past

The future is surrendering

You’ll find your truth in fiction of the facts

Oo-oh

It hits you like an ocean as it crashes through your door

This tragedy unspoken I can’t take it anymore

Leave my loneliness unbroken quoth the Raven nevermore

Well aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s our mistake

Aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s what we’ve made

Aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth and fiction’s what we trade

Aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s what we’ve made

Truth in fiction

So call it truth in fiction that’s exactly what it is

Society’s affliction we replace the truth with myth

It’s your and my addiction and it’s all that’s in the past of how we live

Oo-oh

It hits you like an ocean as it crashes through your door

This tragedy unspoken I can’t take it anymore

Leave my loneliness unbroken quoth the Raven nevermore

Well aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s our mistake

Aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s what we’ve made

Aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth and fiction’s what we trade

Aha Deepfake

(Deepfake!)

Truth in fiction’s what we’ve made

COME TO BRAZIL (04:19)

Whoa

All our fans, well they’re really great

But the ones from Brazil, they really take the cake

DM’ing all the time, they’re begging say you will

Say you’ll come to Brazil

You’ll love the beaches, you’ll love the thongs

From the Corcovado to the Amazon

And the caipirinhas indeed you’ll swill

When you come to Brazil

Whoa

Come to Brazil

It doesn’t matter how many times we came

‘Cause they want us back again just the same

And the flights are long but they won’t stop until

Until we come to Brazil

So if you want to party and rock and roll

With a kiss on both cheeks

And more churrasco

Then bring a lot of guitar picks and sharpie skills

When you come to Brazil

Whoa

Come to Brazil

Come to the Verde E Amarelo

Come to Brazil

(GO)

(Come To Brazil)

(Whoa, Oh, Yeah yeah yeah, Yeah yeah yeah)

Whoa

Come to Brazil

Come to the Verde E Amarelo

Come to Brazil

Olé olé olé olé

Olé olé

Olé olé olé olé

Olé olé

Olé olé olé olé

Olé olé

Olé olé olé olé

Olé olé

Olé olé olé olé

Olé olé

Olé olé olé olé

Olé olé

GET SOME (02:57)

Oh you can try now if you want

Chase that perfume down

She’s got a fast machine

Watch her coming back around

Ooh you’re runnin’ pretty hot

That candle’s got a flame

It’s a lot of work

For that 15 minutes of fame

Call the guards

And kick some ass, ya

Runnin’ hard

And livin’ fast, ya

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo)

Ooh You’re chasing pretty hard

But you’re back in second class

You can give it up

See the way that girl is stacked

Lord knows

You know how to bet, son

So come on

Come on and get some

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo)

Call the guards

And kick some ass, ya

Runnin’ hard

And livin’ fast, ya

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo)

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)

Yeah, yeah

Come on and get some

(Whoo-hoo)

Get some

(That’s right, here we go)

(yeah)

Oh

HANGING BY A THREAD (03:27)

I can see the way it burns

Right before my eyes

I can feel this fear return

Every single night

Hey – o

Come closer to the edge

I’ll be there now don’t you worry

Hanging by a thread

Let it wash away from me

The things I hold inside

All the things I can’t unsee

Heavy on my mind

Hey – o

These ghosts are in my head

I’ll be here in case you notice

Hanging by a thread

Take me!

Away from all these lies

Take me!

I’m covering my eyes

(Save me)

Save me!

I’ve ripped it all to shreds

(Save me)

Save me!

I’m hanging

Hanging by a thread

(Hanging by a thread)

I am hanging

By my own sanity

I am waiting

To fall

I am living

My own false tragedy

I am waiting

To fall

I have seen the way it burns

Right before my eyes

Past the point of no return

It’s all inside my mind

Hey – o

These ghosts are in my head

I’ll be here in case you notice

Hanging by a thread

Take me!

Away from all these lies

Take me!

I’m covering my eyes

(Save me)

Save me!

I’ve ripped it all to shreds

(Save me)

Save me!

I’m hanging

Hanging by a thread

YOU CAN’T GET THERE FROM HERE (03:55)

Well I’m here in your ear to destroy

All that once was so pure

All your hopes and your dreams

Fall apart at the seams, I’ll make sure

‘Cause it may seem very near

But you can’t get there from here

Come see about me

I’m the truth and you know it

Come see about me

I’m your darkest fears

You’re listening to me ‘cause you can’t get rid of

That feeling when I say you can’t get there from here

I won’t let you forget the things if you had only

I’m the voices in your head like the pouring rain

I’ll take it all

But you built this palace of pain

Well to keep you from shining

Your linings of silver I’ll maim

I’ll give you this sendup

You’ll end up down here just the same

And your sun will not rise

A thousand tears in your eyes

Come see about me

I’m the truth and you know it

Come see about me

I’m your darkest fears

You’re listening to me ‘cause you can’t get rid of

That feeling when I say you can’t get there from here

I won’t let you forget the things if you had only

I’m the voices in your head like the pouring rain

I’ll take it all

But you built this palace of pain

I’ve watched as you’ve tried to get by

Write your name on the wall

But you’ll rot in your cage as you rage

From a run to a crawl

‘Cause it may seem very near

But you can’t get there from here

Come see about me

I’m the truth and you know it

Come see about me

I’m your darkest fears

You’re listening to me ‘cause you can’t get rid of

That feeling when I say you can’t get there from here

I won’t let you forget the things if you had only

I’m the voices in your head like the pouring rain

I’ll take it all

But you built this palace

I’ll take it all

But you built this palace of pain

You built your palace of pain