Everybody's Selling Something
Selling Dreams and Changing Worlds: Men Without Hats Unveil 4/4 Realities
Lyrics
More 4/4s in the neighborhood
Observing more typical rhythms (4/4) in the neighborhood.
Banging on the same guitar
Playing the same guitar with intensity or repetition.
Dreaming of living in Hollywood
Aspiring to live in Hollywood, a symbol of fame and success.
Puffing on a big cigar
Indulging in luxury, perhaps representing excess and showmanship.
Prima ballerina in a magazine
Imagining oneself as the leading dancer in a magazine.
Call her on the telephone
Contacting someone (possibly the ballerina) via telephone.
Tell her that you're sending up a limousine
Announcing the dispatch of a limousine; response is uncertain.
She say: I don't know...
The ballerina expresses uncertainty or hesitation.
I know where to go!
Confidently knowing where to go despite the uncertainty.
Now 4/4s in a different mood
Shift in musical mood or style.
Thinks he's gonna change the world
Believing one can bring about change in the world.
Making all the money that some others should
Earning money that others may not deserve.
Guess it's 'cause we don't deserve
Suggesting an undeserved success or privilege.
Meet a lot of people in a magazine
Encountering numerous people in the media.
Tell you where not to go
Advising where not to go based on experience.
Tell you that I'm living out a fantasy
Living a fantasy and informing others about it.
You say: You don't know
Receiving disbelief or lack of understanding from others.
They play me on the radio
Achieving recognition through radio play.
You gotta walk before you crawl
Emphasizing the importance of starting small before progressing.
Remember everybody's selling something
Stressing that everyone is promoting something.
You gotta talk before you know
Highlighting the necessity of communication before understanding.
Remember everybody's selling something
Reiterating the pervasive nature of promotion in society.
There's like a racket on the ball
Describing a noisy and chaotic situation.
Remember everybody wants attention
Reminding that everyone seeks attention in some form.
You gotta rock before you roll
Encouraging action before progress.
Remember everybody's selling something
Repeating the idea that everyone is marketing something.
Sell me something
Expressions urging immediate action or sales.
Sell me something
-Sell me something
-Now!
-Now 4/4s into mother earth
Returning to traditional rhythms, connecting with nature.
Hurry up and wait T.V.
Impatiently waiting while watching television.
Funny how your life'll take a different turn
Noting unexpected turns in life and the opportunity to enjoy free experiences.
And how you get to dance for free
Commenting on the liberating aspect of dancing freely.
See a lot of freedom in your magazine?
Questioning the portrayal of freedom in media.
Does it tell you what you want to know?
Challenging the information provided in magazines.
Tell you once and maybe twice and maybe three times
Asserting information repeatedly, indicating its importance.
That's all right!
Acceptance of the situation as alright.
We're coming out in stereo!!!
Announcing a presence in stereo, possibly highlighting visibility.
You gotta walk before you crawl
Reiterating the importance of starting small.
remember everybody's selling something
Repeating the themes of communication, promotion, attention, and action.
You gotta talk before you know
-remember everybody's selling something
-There's like a racket on the ball
-Remember everybody wants attention
-You gotta rock before you roll
-Remember everybody's selling something
Expressions urging immediate action or sales, echoing earlier lines.
Sell me something
-Sell me something
-Sell me something
-Now!
-Sell me something
Reiterating the urgency of selling something.
Sell me something
-Sell me something
-Now!
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