Lyrics
Andy was a Catholic, the ethic ran through his bones
Andy had a strong Catholic background that influenced his values and behavior.
He lived alone with his mother, collecting gossip and toys
Andy lived with his mother and had a penchant for 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,
During church, he would kneel and express a focus on work, stating that it's the most important thing.
all that matters is work."
Andy's emphasis on the importance of work.
Andy was a lot of things, what I remember most
Andy had diverse qualities, but work was a significant aspect of his identity.
He'd say, "I've got to bring home the bacon, someone's
He believed in providing for himself and his mother, using phrases like "bring home the bacon" and "bring home the roast."
got to bring home the roast."
Reiteration of the importance of work in Andy's mindset.
He'd get to the factory early
Andy was punctual and dedicated to his job at the factory.
If I'd ask him he'd tell you straight out
If asked, he would straightforwardly emphasize the significance of work.
It's just work, the most important thing is work
Work remained the central focus, regardless of other activities.
No matter what I did it never seemed enough
The speaker felt that whatever they did, it was never sufficient for Andy.
He said I was lazy, I said I was young
Andy criticized the speaker as lazy, who countered by attributing it to 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 the number of songs they had written.
"You won't be young forever
Andy advised that youth is temporary, urging more productivity.
You should have written fifteen"
Andy suggested a higher target of fifteen songs.
It's work, the most important thing is work
Reiteration of the importance of work as a recurring theme.
It's work, the most important thing is work
Continuation of emphasizing work as the primary focus.
"You ought to make things big
Andy advised making things grand, as people prefer it that way.
People like it that way
Encouragement to incorporate dirty words in songs and record them that way.
And the songs with the dirty words - record them that way"
Andy enjoyed causing trouble and had a humorous side.
Andy liked to stir up trouble, he was funny that way
Reiteration that work is all that matters, echoing Andy's perspective.
He said, "It's just work, all that matters is work"
Andy initiated a conversation about expanding one's artistic boundaries.
Andy sat down to talk one day
Andy questioned whether the speaker wanted to broaden their artistic scope or remain limited.
He said decide what you want
The speaker fired Andy immediately, leading to a heated exchange.
Do you want to expand your parameters
Andy used the term "rat" as a strong insult during the confrontation.
Or play museums like some dilettante
Andy expressed disappointment with the speaker's decision, using a strong word to convey his emotions.
I fired him on the spot, he got red and called me a rat
Reiteration of the importance of work, even in the midst of conflict.
It was the worst word that he could think of
The speaker reflects on Andy's use of the phrase "it's just work" during the confrontation.
And I've never seen him like that
Continuation of emphasizing work as the central theme in Andy's philosophy.
It's just work, I thought he said it's just work
The speaker recalls Andy's repeated emphasis on the importance of work.
Work, he'd said it's just work
Reiteration of Andy's perspective on work.
Andy said a lot of things, I stored them all away in my head
The speaker remembers various things Andy said and stored them in their memory.
Sometimes when I can't decide what I should do
The speaker turns to Andy's words for guidance when faced with decisions.
I think what would Andy have said
The speaker imagines Andy advising against overthinking.
He'd probably say you think too much
Andy, in the speaker's imagination, suggests that excessive thinking is due to avoiding undesirable work.
That's 'cause there's work that you don't want to do
Reiteration that work is the most important thing, and the speaker avoids certain tasks.
It's work, the most important thing is work
Emphasis on work as the central theme, echoing Andy's perspective.
Work, the most important thing is work
Continuation of emphasizing work as the primary focus.
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