The Stroke

It is clearly a commentary on the way the music industry uses you up and then spits you out once the profit is gone. It is all about that one big and how they will tell you a bunch of bullshit and you are supposed to reply in bullshit and everyone is stroking every one's ego and then suddenly they spit you out.

This song isnt about sex. Its all about how the music industry and record companies use you to make profits and sell albums when they hit a low stop after losing a big artist, called stroking, where they find another artist. once they make the profits they needed to get back on top, they drop you and you need to find a new record producer or dealer or whatever you were dropped from. The first verse: Don't take no rhythm, Don't take no style Gotta thirst for killin', Grab your vial and

Put your right hand out, give a firm handshake Talk to me about that one big break Spread your ear pollution, both far and wide Keep your contributions by your side and

Chorus Stroke me, stroke me Could be a winner boy you move mighty well Stroke me, stroke me, stroke me, stroke me You got your number down, stroke me, stroke me Say you're a winner but babe, you're just a sinner now

its like how you meet someone who says theyre gonna help you out ("could be a winner boy you move mighty well) but then the second and third verse is all about getting dropped out after a ton of work. And the first two lines is Billy kind of saying be aware of the guys who are gonna "stroke" you.

I'm glad a few others here posted about the music industry. Back in the day, I loved this song...has a great beat. Now that I'm older and wiser and can see it more clearly. It also reminds me about many other songs regarding the industry, like Pink Floyd's "Have A Cigar". Every artist has a song like this if you look.

Now everybody, have you heard, if you're in the game (game is the music industry) Then the stroke's the word (playing the game) Don't take no rhythm, Don't take no style
Gotta thirst for killin', Grab your vial and (vial is for blood contract signing)

Put your right hand out, give a firm handshake (meeting/agreement/soul-selling) Talk to me about that one big break (eager to do what they want) Spread your ear pollution, both far and wide (this is what they want) Keep your contributions by your side and (keep your own works to yourself, we own you now, here's the plan/agenda)

Chorus Stroke me, stroke me Could be a winner boy you move mighty well (checking him out to perform) Stroke me, stroke me, stroke me, stroke me (doing good boy, keep going...) You got your number down, stroke me, stroke me (we'll contact you soon) Say you're a winner but babe, you're just a sinner now (selling your soul)

Put your left foot out, keep it all in place Work your way right into my face (they are always in your face, perhaps?) First you try to bet me, you make my backbone slide (I think it's "bed" not bet) When you find you've bled me, slip on by, and (they got him, blood, he's owned)

Chorus

Put your left foot out, keep it all in place Work your way right into my face First you try to bet me, you make my backbone slide When you find you've bled me, slip on by, and

Stroke, stroke stroke stroke Better listen now, said it ain't no joke (warning to other's, not kidding around) Don't let your conscience fail ya' just do the stroke (go along with it or die) Don't ya' take no chances, keep your eye on top (protect yourself, you're in the game now) Do your fancy dances, you can't stop you just ... (keep performing like a "lead role in a cage" from Floyd's Wish You Were Here) Stroke me, stroke me

Like I said...you can do this with any any artist or band. I just used Pink Floyd because they are so universally well known.

It's all the Grand Illusion (STYX) for the audience. For them, it's a living hell after awhile...that seems to be the consistent tone of the music industry.

The song is definitly about the music industry. It tells you how they are your best friends until you sign the bottom line, then they become the devil incognito. The things they give you, the girls, and evreything except the money which they mostly keep 60%, while you get 40% and hopefully you are in it for the music, and not the money. Its why th eindustry has been shook, they screwed the artists and the music buyers... I like anti-industry songs like this; There's not enuff of them.

Nevermind about previous comment...I guess he isn't gay...he got married in 2002?

I don't get the people who think this song is about a man and a woman. The song's about the recording industry, sure, but the metaphor it's couched in is clearly about a MAN picking up a MALE prostitute.

this song is not about the recording industry, nor male prostitution, it is simply about ego stroking and self esteem/self worth/respect of self/respect of others and simply applying it to your daily work life.

Personally I believe this song is about the music industry, or any form of business. Everything in it could have a double meaning, of course; but 'ear pollution' i'm sure would have nothing to do with masturbation or sexual intercourse. Ear pollution I've always thought since first hearing this song refers to music, and 'firm handshake' would refer to the industry.

'Put your left foot out', a term i've heard as trying to basically get an uneasy foot in the door to something. 'Work your way right into my face', eventually becoming bossy, or, 'in your face'?

Maybe its just me, but thats how it translates imo.

cooooool song

The Chorus is not the same each time, so it needs to be edited.

2nd chorus

"keep on---stroke me, stroke me Give me the business all night long... stroke me, stroke me.....stroke You're so together boy... Say you're a winner but man you're just a sinner now

Also, it is not "bet me"....it is "bed me".