Any chimp can play human for a day
Use his opposable thumbs to iron his uniform
And run for office on election day
Fancy himself a real decision maker
And deploy more troops than salt shakers

But it's a jungle when war is made
And you'll panic and throw your own shit at the enemy
The camera pulls back to reveal your true identity
Look, it's a sheep in wolf's clothing
A smoking gun holding ape

Any asshole can open up a museum
Put all of the things he loves on display
So everyone could see them
The house, a car, a thoughtful wife
Ordinary moments in his ordinary life

But if she breaks a smile, she'll give you away
Because no one wants to pay to see her happiness
No one wants to pay to see her day-to-day
And I'm not buying it, either
But I'll try selling it anyway

Any idiot can play Greek for a day
And join a sorority or write a tragedy
And articulating all that pain
And maybe you'll get paid

But it's a sin when success complains
And your writer's block, it don't mean shit
Just throw it against the wall and see what sticks
Got to write a hit
I think this is it
It's a hit

And if it's not
Then it's a holiday for hanging
Yeah, it's a holiday for hanging
Yeah, it's a holiday for hanging
Yeah, it's a holiday for hanging
Yeah, shoo bop, shoo bop, my baby

Any fool can play executioner for a day
And say with fingers pointed in both directions
"He went thataway"
It's only a switch or syringe
Exempt from eternal sins
But you still wear a cross
And you think you're going to get in

Ah, but the pardons never come from upstairs
They're always a moment too late
But it's entertainment
Keep the crowd on their toes
It's justice, we're safe
It's not a hit, it's a holiday
Shoo bop, shoo bop, my baby

It's a holiday for hanging, yeah
It's a holiday for hanging, yeah
It's a holiday for hanging, yeah
It's a holiday for hanging, yeah

I'm a holiday for hanging
I'm a holiday for hanging
I'm a holiday, yeah
I'm a holiday for hanging

It's a holiday for hanging, yeah


Lyrics submitted by cautionary song

It's a Hit song meanings
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27 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I don't necessarily take the chimp reference to relate directly to George Bush - Jenny doesn't write lyrics that pointless. I think she's really just criticizing the politcal system in general, saying that any chimp could run for office and go to war. I also don't see why a song that emphasizes the evils of hypocrisy is necessarily uninteresting. In poetry or song, the matter is less of what is said than how it is said. But even still, she brings up good points. Overall, I'd say it's a good song and surely not the "weakest song Jenny has written."

    ohinvertedworldon December 09, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    lame, really? though it wasnt like the other rk songs that tend to perfectly articulate the most hard-to-explain emotions, i thought this was really clever in the way it bites at so many things in just one song. and i very much understand this part: "Any idiot can play Greek for a day and join a sorority or write a tragedy and articulating all that pain and maybe you'll get paid

    but it's a sin when success complains and your writers block, it don't mean shit "

    lemonjellyon January 22, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    ^Yeah...I mean really what modern American president is great (or even good)?

    Varietyon August 16, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I like that the chimpanzee metaphor isn't just used and left, the whole "jungle" and "throwing your own shit" makes it stronger than just another lame (yet very easy) George Bush quip.

    I just think that slightly sarcastic, cynical tone in certain places of the song are what make it better than just your average "I dont like ____" song.

    Lita08on February 12, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    to me it's all about how so many things in life are overrated, plainly quite lame... Like the president seems like really respectable like he really earned it. And then the second verse seems to examine the overrated-ness of optimism and the third verse of pessimism. i guess a lot of her lyrics evoke the triteness of the world and people around her (at lease to me) and i think she creates some really entertaining, yet powerful images. all you critics just aren't used to this different idea of song writing (which, yes, could be considered quite out there...but i wouldn't say inane).

    adfon March 10, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Holy CRAP some of you are FAR too critical. This is a hell of alot better than most of the inane shit you'll hear when you turn on the radio, or pick up most of the CDs that are selling themselves in DROVES off the shelves. This is a catchy, clever, amusing little song, not everything has to be so mind-blowingly deep that you have to sit down for a moment to reflect upon the complexities. And let's suppose for a moment that it WAS one of RK's weaker songs...SOMETHING has to be the weakest! Just be glad that they didn't start selling out and writing for the average 15 year old paris carbon-copies.

    Don't be so pompous you disconnect.

    LoveLarkon December 22, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    My favourite part is probably "And I'm not buying it either but I'll try selling it anyway" referring to the uy "opening up a museum", it's like she's saying yeah, in the end we all sorta do that. so there is absolutely no self-righteousness in this song and that's what makes it special in my opinion.

    ...not to mention the "you'll panic and throw your own shit at the enemy" part of course XD

    feion June 23, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I agree with the guy who said everyone's being far too damn critical. How are these lyrics inane? Turn on the radio and you'll hear some inane shit.

    SoldYourSoulon August 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Contrary to apparent popular opinion Jenny did a hell of a job on this song. Rather that rating this as one of her weakest songs; I would rate it as one of her best--well known songs. The song has a lot of truth, and is not only pertaining to political hypocrisy, but religious as well.

    "It's only a switch or syringe Exempt from eternal sins But you still wear a cross And you think you're going to get in "

    This is obviously examining the everyday christian or protestant that hold double standard for themselves. The song also leads on into how religion is entertainment, and basically, it keeps peoples lives occupied.

    This subject is a long lived debate that Jenny refers to in many of her songs with the Watson twins and Rilo, so I would barley call it boring.

    sgallm0214on November 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song was playing when i went into the orthodontist's office the other day. i couldn't keep myself from laughing when the line ".. panic and throw your own shit at the enemy .." came through.

    clarkgableon September 26, 2004   Link

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