| Propagandhi – Failed Imagineer Lyrics | 7 years ago |
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One of the themes of this album is Chris reflecting on his life of activism and social justice, and dealing with the reality that so little has changed and what that means for his kids' future. In this song, Chris imagines a conversation with his son sometime in the future. "Sit down with me, let's have a drink." His son is old enough to have a drink with his dad--age 16-21 or somewhere in there; about the same age Chris was when he formed Propagandhi and really began to understand how messed up the world is. Imagineers work for Disney Parks to create these fantasy environments where everyone is happy, nothing is wrong, and guests can imagine that the world is perfect. In this scenario, Chris is a "Failed Imagineer." This could mean a few things: - Chris did his part to improve society, but it's still destructive - Chris tried to bring his son up by creating an environment of positivity and perfection, to help his son stay positive and hopeful, but his son ended up cynical and angry - Chris tried to pretend like his family history didn't influence him, but at the end of the day the weight of past generations was just too heavy - Alternatively, maybe Western society is the "failed imagineer": projecting an image of perfection and harmony when underneath there is violence and fear. In any event, it's time they had a talk. "I been thinking about you. I been meaning to tell you." Here's a bit of an explanation of why society is so destructive, and a bit about our family history. Both of your great-grandfathers went to war. One came back "haunted," trying to come to terms with what he had done. the other came back "damaged and violent" but unwilling to open up and talk about it to anyone. "Oh, this is the world I brought you into man." Chris tried to fight for a more equitable society, or raise his son to see the positivity rather than the negativity, or to break free from his past. But at this point he is a failed imagineer, a shell of his former self, no longer a rebel, but remorseful at what could have been. He's tried to keep it in like his great granddad, but " His private dismay on public display." His son reassures him "Hey old man it's ok. Every dog has his day." Generations pass, life goes on. |
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