You get a job, because otherwise you'll starve to death. You spend an entire year working for someone who makes a load of money off your hard work. You earn just enough to keep you passive. You repeat for 50 years, because there's no way out, and then you die. Sure there's some good times - you'll probably meet your partner, maybe raise some kids, but the fact is you are forced to sell your life by/to a system that claims to be the pinnacle of liberty.
This is the backdrop to which this song was written. It is by far the angriest song Goldstein has written. I'm amazed it managed to turn into a proper, 3 minute song with a bit of a tune and didn't just end up a 1 minute thrash punk song which ended with my head exploding with anger.
Lyrically, the song mentions many concepts which would not be out of place in a political economy seminar - the 'invisible hand of the market', 'trickle down economics', exploitation, alienation etc. Somehow I managed to find the very thin line between intellectualism and frothing-at-the-mouth anger.
Musically, the tempo is obviously breakneck speed. The end of the song has to be mentioned. This was written only very recently, through a dissatisfaction with the current ending. This being the last song on the EP had to go out with a bang, so we really didn't hold much back. Definitely one to see live. ;)
Tiger:
The invisible hand holds a gun to our heads, screaming "Work!"
The only thing that trickles down is the pain.
Pain and fear of life, no place to go, no team behind, no end in sight.
Divide and rule is the tactic of choice.
Separate the young from the old from one nation to one nation.
We're taught to hate, to fear our fellow brothers.
While we sell our selves to them they exploit and degradate our rights, imprison the innocent, pollute the Earth and wage war.
Exploitation!
Degradation!
Exploitation!
Degradation!
Time to fight back.
Agitation!
Working all our fucking lives to afford this life of comparable poverty.
You see our labour as your own damn property.
Alienated from our selves, from our families, from our likes, all for you.
As your stocks rise, pushed up by the hard work of us slaves.
Indentured servitude's the name of the game.
Your litter rests upon our shoulders, you need our hands and minds and souls on which to stand.
Exploitation!
Degradation!
Exploitation!
Degradation!
Time to fight back.
Agitation!
James #2:
To you I'm just a piece of meat.
My hands are here to serve you.
I feel like a commodity,
To be exploited and drained right through.
Tiger:
Work, work and waste away
And wait and wait 'til you get paid.
Work, work and waste away
And they're the ones who get to play.
Work, work and waste away
And wait and wait 'til you get paid.
Work, work and waste away
And they're the ones who get to play.
Work, work and waste away
And wait and wait 'til you get paid.
Work, work and waste away
And they're the ones who get to play!
Goldstein were brought together by a unifying love of modern punk music. From their covers to their originals, you'll find
the power-chords and speed endemic to old school punk, mixed with more melodic vocals and skilful playing present in modern punk. Of course, variety is the spice of life, and Goldstein aren't afraid to mix some ska, rap or Muse into their set to keep things interesting....more
Specializing in bright, sunny "bedroom rock español," this Brooklyn singer-songwriter puts a unique spin on lo-fi music. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 18, 2024
The Flipino musician returns with another album of shoegazing indie pop, joined by King Krule, DāM-FunK, Dent May, and many others. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 1, 2021
L.A.’s Eyedress delivers uber lo-fi pop with dour baritone vocals and gigantic hooks, at times recalling early Magnetic Fields. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 7, 2020
