Look around you, all around you Riding on a copper wave Do you like the world around you? Are you ready to behave?

Look around you, all around you Riding on a copper wave Do you like the world around you? Are you ready to behave?

Patti Smith, the iconic singer-songwriter and poet, has always been known for her thought-provoking lyrics and powerful messages. One of her most famous songs, "People Have the Power," contains the lines: "Look around you, all around you / Riding on a copper wave / Do you like the world around you? / Are you ready to behave?" These lyrics encapsulate Smith's call to action for her listeners to take a closer look at the world around them and consider their role in shaping it.

Smith's music has always been deeply rooted in activism and social justice, and these lyrics are no exception. By asking her audience if they like the world around them and if they are ready to behave, Smith is challenging them to think critically about the state of the world and their own actions within it. She is urging them to consider the impact of their choices and to take responsibility for creating positive change.

The image of riding on a copper wave is a powerful metaphor for the tumultuous nature of the world we live in. Just as a wave can be unpredictable and overwhelming, so too can the challenges we face in our society. Smith is asking her listeners if they are prepared to navigate these challenges with grace and integrity.

The question of whether we like the world around us is a poignant one. It forces us to confront the reality of the injustices and inequalities that exist in our society. It challenges us to consider our own privilege and complicity in systems of oppression. Smith is pushing her audience to acknowledge the flaws in our world and to strive for a better future.

The question of whether we are ready to behave is a call to action. It is a reminder that our actions have consequences and that we have the power to make a difference. Smith is urging her listeners to be mindful of their behavior and to act with intention and purpose.