Lyrics
Andy was a Catholic, the ethic ran through his bones
Andy's Catholic upbringing strongly influenced his moral values.
He lived alone with his mother, collecting gossip and toys
Andy lived with his mother and enjoyed collecting gossip and toys.
Every Sunday when he went to church
Every Sunday, Andy attended church.
He'd kneel in his pew and say, "It's just work,
While kneeling in church, he expressed the belief that work is essential.
all that matters is work."
Emphasizing that work is the paramount aspect of life.
Andy was a lot of things, what I remember most
Andy had various facets, but the focus is on his dedication to work.
He'd say, "I've got to bring home the bacon, someone's
Highlighting Andy's commitment to providing for himself and his mother.
got to bring home the roast."
Underlining the importance of earning a living.
He'd get to the factory early
Andy was punctual at the factory where he worked.
If I'd ask him he'd tell you straight out
Expressing Andy's straightforward attitude towards work.
It's just work, the most important thing is work
Reiterating the idea that work is the ultimate priority.
No matter what I did it never seemed enough
The speaker always felt inadequate despite his efforts.
He said I was lazy, I said I was young
Andy criticized the speaker for laziness; the speaker defended his youth.
He said, "How many songs did you write?"
Andy questioned the speaker's productivity in terms of songwriting.
I'd written zero, I lied and said, "Ten."
The speaker lied about writing songs to meet Andy's expectations.
"You won't be young forever
Andy advises the speaker that youth is temporary.
You should have written fifteen"
Andy suggests the speaker should have been more prolific in songwriting.
It's work, the most important thing is work
Reaffirming the central theme that work is crucial.
It's work, the most important thing is work
Repetition for emphasis on the importance of work.
"You ought to make things big
Andy advises making things grand to appeal to people.
People like it that way
Suggesting that songs with explicit content should be recorded as such.
And the songs with the dirty words - record them that way"
Andy enjoyed causing trouble and believed in the significance of work.
Andy liked to stir up trouble, he was funny that way
Reiteration of Andy's belief that work is paramount.
He said, "It's just work, all that matters is work"
Andy discusses work with the speaker.
Andy sat down to talk one day
Andy initiates a conversation about the speaker's goals.
He said decide what you want
Andy presents a choice between expanding horizons or becoming a dilettante.
Do you want to expand your parameters
The speaker fires Andy on the spot due to disagreement.
Or play museums like some dilettante
Andy reacts negatively, calling the speaker a rat.
I fired him on the spot, he got red and called me a rat
Andy uses a strong word to express his frustration.
It was the worst word that he could think of
The impact of Andy's strong language on the speaker.
And I've never seen him like that
Reflecting on Andy's words, emphasizing the importance of work.
It's just work, I thought he said it's just work
Confusion about whether Andy said "It's just work."
Work, he'd said it's just work
Repetition of the importance of work according to Andy.
Andy said a lot of things, I stored them all away in my head
Recollection of various things Andy said, stored in the speaker's memory.
Sometimes when I can't decide what I should do
The speaker seeks guidance from Andy in decision-making.
I think what would Andy have said
The speaker considers Andy's perspective when facing dilemmas.
He'd probably say you think too much
Anticipating Andy's response to overthinking and emphasizing work.
That's 'cause there's work that you don't want to do
Attributing overthinking to avoiding undesirable work.
It's work, the most important thing is work
Reiteration of the central theme that work is of utmost importance.
Work, the most important thing is work
Repetition for emphasis on the significance of work.
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