Carcinogenic

Unveiling the Toxic Grind: IDLES' Carcinogenic Commentary
Be the first to rate this song

Lyrics

Work the people down to the bone on their knees

Highlighting the excessive labor imposed on people, exhausting them physically and mentally.

9 to 5 every day of the week is

Describes the daily routine of working from 9 to 5, emphasizing its repetitive and draining nature.

Carcinogenic (carcinogenic)

Refers to the toxicity of the working environment, likening it to something harmful or cancer-causing.

There's a minimum wage

Points out the existence of a basic minimum wage.

While your boss takes a raise

Highlights the disparity between the minimum wage for workers and the salary increases taken by their bosses.

As he lies through his brand new teeth, he is

Accuses the boss of deceitful behavior, possibly hinting at dishonesty despite a polished appearance.

Carcinogenic (carcinogenic)

Reiterates the harmful nature of the boss's behavior, using the term "carcinogenic" to emphasize its toxicity.

Over-working, working nurses and teachers

Speaks about the overworking of essential professions like nurses and teachers, despite austerity measures preached.

Whist you preach austerity is

Implies that advocating austerity measures is also harmful, possibly to those in need.

Carcinogenic (carcinogenic)

Repeats the idea of toxicity, likening austerity measures to something harmful or cancerous.


You only die once

Encourages embracing life and cherishing what one has as life is finite and irreversible.

You'll never come back

-

You're gone when you're gone

-

So, love what you can

-

You only die once

-

You'll never come back

-

You're gone when you're gone

-

So, love what you can

-

Cramming people into high-rises

Criticizes the practice of cramming people into high-rises while neglecting their overall welfare and real societal costs.

While selling their welfare for low prices

-

Public spending gets big slices

-

While ignoring the true prices

-

Where were you when the ship sank?

Questions the priorities of individuals during crises and societal issues, pointing out possible ignorance or misplaced focus.

Probably not queuing for food banks

-

Probably waving your Union Jack

-

Probably rallying for new tanks

-

Probably to blow up the ice caps

-

Because the lunatics have taken over the asylum

-

Ah-ah

Emphasizes the chaos or dysfunction in society, metaphorically comparing it to an asylum.


You only die once

Reiterates the theme of cherishing life and making the most of it.

You'll never come back

-

You're gone when you're gone

-

So, love what you can

-

You only die once

-

You'll never come back

-

You're gone when you're gone

-

So, love what you can

-

Methamphetamine, crack and heroin

Highlights the dangers and harms of substance abuse, linking it to the term "carcinogenic."

And living your life on tik is

-

(Carcinogenic)

-

Ten pints of G, Mad Dog 20-20

-

Two packs of Bucky and some boozey-oozey is

-

Carcinogenic

-

Class division and bear-baiting

References class division and the sensationalization of violence for entertainment, implying its harmful impact.

On television for better ratings is

-

You only die once

Repeats the theme of valuing life and making the most of it, acknowledging its finite nature.

You'll never come back

-

You're gone when you're gone

-

So, love what you can

-

You only die once

-

You'll never come back

-

You're gone when you're gone

-

So, love what you can

-

You only die once

Final repetition of the message to appreciate life and love what one can, knowing that life is irreversible.

You'll never come back

-

You're gone when you're gone

-

So, love what you can

-
Similar Songs

Comment