Factory
The Struggles and Desires of Factory Workers: John Mellencamp's Anthem
Lyrics
Be yourself, boys
Encouragement to be authentic and true to oneself
Let's get this show on the road
Expression to start or begin the performance or journey
Well I'm up every morning by 6:08
Describes the singer's early morning routine
Take the Volkswagen bus up the interstate
Commute in a Volkswagen bus on the interstate
Feel Charlie Manson just like
Reference to Charles Manson, possibly hinting at a rebellious or chaotic feeling
I'm diggin' real hard for some money to spend
Expresses the struggle to earn money
Well it ain't that bad if the summer's free
Finding solace in the freedom of summer
I got my evenings, to cruise the scene oh yeah
Having evenings for personal enjoyment
I got a pretty old lady
Introduction of the singer's significant other
Who rolls back in the morning
Describing the partner's morning routine
She don't pressure me about my over time
No pressure on working overtime
Got a kickin' black chick
Introduction of another romantic interest
Who meets me in the alley
Meeting the black chick in a hidden place
Sayin' unsnap your jeans, baby
Suggestive invitation from the black chick
I'll take what I find
Acceptance of opportunities without judgment
I got non-stop shoot 'em up, on a layaway plan
Referencing a layaway plan for purchasing goods
I've got a workman's compensation, I'm a union man
Identification as a union worker with compensation
Working at the factory
Declaration of working at the factory
Gonna get me some of them luxuries
Desire to attain luxuries through work
Well now me and the boys
Mention of the singer and colleagues
Machines are making noise
Highlighting noise generated by machines
Working at the factory (moola)
Reiteration of working at the factory for money
Working at the factory
Repetition of the factory work theme
Gonna get me some of them luxuries
Reiteration of the desire for luxuries
Well now me and the boys
Continuation of the singer's experience with colleagues
Machines are making noise
Highlighting the noise and activity of machines
Working at the factory (moola)
Reaffirmation of working at the factory for money
It works like this
Introduction of the working routine's structure
I got one eye on the time clock
Awareness of time while working
I got my other eye on, the girl in the hall
Diverting attention to a girl in the hall
I got this, rocket, hum, stuck right here in my pocket
Description of a personal desire or drive
Waitin' for the five o'clock whistle to call
Waiting for the end-of-day whistle
I'm the whistle dancer of the production line
Identification as a dancer on the production line
I got an encore tomorrow at the very same time
Anticipation of a repeated performance the next day
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