I'm Working Retail for Christmas
Retail Christmas Blues: A Ska-Punk Perspective
Lyrics
I'm working retail for Christmas
I am employed in the retail industry during the Christmas season
Kids screaming, parents get mad
Children are loudly expressing themselves, and parents are becoming upset
I'm working retail for Christmas
Reiteration of working in retail during the Christmas period
Suddenly hell don't seem so bad
The challenges of the retail job make the idea of hell seem more tolerable
Camp outside storefronts for weeks
People camp outside stores in anticipation of purchasing new items
Gotta buy cool new things
The necessity to buy trendy and new products
Time to replace last year's TV
It's time to upgrade or replace last year's television
Gotta buy cool new things
Continuation of the consumerist mentality to buy new things
Shopping cart slams into me
A shopping cart collides with the speaker
No time for apologies
No time for apologies in the chaotic shopping environment
I'm a person with feelings
The speaker emphasizes their humanity and emotional experience
Dude, just say "excuse me"
Encouragement for others to offer simple apologies
Ope, I'm gonna squeeze right by ya
Expression of navigating through crowded spaces
I'm working retail for Christmas
Reiteration of working in retail during the Christmas season
Kids screaming, parents get mad
Similar scenario with kids and parents as mentioned in line 2
I'm working retail for Christmas
Continuation of the speaker's retail work experience during Christmas
Suddenly hell don't seem so bad
The challenges of the job make the idea of hell seem more tolerable
Fistfight over parking space
A physical altercation occurs over a parking space
Gotta buy cool new things
Emphasis on the consumerist culture turning a shopping trip into a competition
Shopping trip turns to arms race
The shopping experience becomes intense and competitive
Gotta buy cool new things
Continuation of the consumerist mentality to buy new things
Stop reaching over me
Someone is reaching over the speaker, and they request polite communication
I'll gladly move if you just say "please"
Offering to move if asked politely
We're out of that
The speaker mentions an item is out of stock
Just check the back, I know you have more
Suggesting to check the inventory in the back for more stock
UGH
An expression of frustration
Gotta buy cool new things
Reiteration of the consumerist mentality to buy new things
I wonder how I got here
The speaker reflects on how they ended up in this situation
Then it hits me
An epiphany moment where the speaker realizes their current circumstance
I should be singing about parties and friends
The speaker contrasts their reality with the expectation of celebrating with friends
Instead of "1-2-3 pick it up pick it up"
A reference to a common ska-punk phrase, expressing a desire for a different experience
I'm working retail for Christmas
Reiteration of working in retail during the Christmas season
Bank account empty and sad
The speaker's bank account is empty and they feel sad
I'm working retail for Christmas
Continuation of the speaker's retail work experience during Christmas
Cause I play in a ska-punk band
The speaker connects their retail job to playing in a ska-punk band
Comment