Take It Back
Unveiling the Price of Prosperity: Take It Back by Shirley Grimes
Lyrics
Here in this land we have rivers of gold
Describing a prosperous land with abundant wealth symbolized by "rivers of gold."
The standards are high and the money is old
Highlighting high standards and the presence of old money in the society.
Where everything costs an arm and a leg
Commenting on the high cost of living where everything is expensive ("costs an arm and a leg").
And everyone works until they drop dead
Expressing the intense work culture where people work until exhaustion or death.
You learn to ignore all the needs you might have
Encouraging the suppression of personal needs and desires to conform to societal expectations.
Don't question the fact that they're driving you mad
Advising against questioning the societal norms that may lead to frustration ("driving you mad").
Just go with the flow for fear you might drown
Suggesting conformity to avoid negative consequences, using the metaphor of going with the flow.
And build up a world that is sure to fall down
Building a world based on unsustainable practices or values that are destined to collapse.
I sometimes wonder why people lie
Expressing curiosity about why people choose to lie.
Choose to go under
Referring to choosing to surrender or submit ("go under") instead of resisting challenges.
And not to try and find what's theirs to find
Encouraging individuals to seek and claim what rightfully belongs to them.
And take it back
Advocating the idea of reclaiming one's possessions or rights.
You know you've enough but you still want more
Commenting on the insatiable desire for more despite having enough in a wealthy society.
The worst thing to be in a rich land is poor
Highlighting the paradox of being poor in a land of affluence.
Defining yourself by all that you own
Criticizing the practice of defining one's worth based on material possessions.
Ignoring the shame that is growing and growing
Ignoring or avoiding the growing shame associated with societal norms or actions.
You work and you work but it's never enough
Emphasizing the relentless work ethic in a land where giving up is not an option.
Cause here in this land no one ever gives up
Stressing the collective march or conformity in society.
You know you must march, all march in time
Highlighting the obligation to march in sync with societal expectations.
We've all got a spot on the assembly line
Comparing individuals to components on an assembly line, emphasizing uniformity.
I sometimes wonder why people lie
Reiterating the curiosity about why people choose deception or falsehood.
Choose to go under
Reinforcing the idea of choosing submission over resistance.
And not to try and find what's theirs to find
Encouraging the pursuit of what rightfully belongs to individuals.
And take it back
Reiterating the call to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
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