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The Latest Toughs Lyrics
All the latest toughs, you’ve got to shrug them off or shut them off. With ten-thousand-time-told truths, you’ve still got to ask for proof. Ask for proof, because if you’re dying to be led they’ll lead you up the hill in chains to their popular refrains until your slaughter’s been arranged, my little lamb, and it’s much too late to talk the knife out of their hands.
Well, I woke up on a foggy morning. Hiding from the sun, he was hiding from the sun. But it came out and it shot its rays down. Burning everyone, it was burning everyone. But they were dying, anyway, to turn to ash, to feel their feelings flash and finally fade away, in a fabulous and fiery display.
Look, though, I don't know what notes you want to hear played, I can't think what lines you'd like me to sing or say, and I'm not sure what subjects you want mentioned. So pause and add your own intentions. We've included a form you can print out and fill out and send below:
All the latest toughs, well, we have seen that stuff, and we have seen enough blood in dying coughs, which means that we have lost. We have lost, and if you’re crying to be tossed they’ll toss you down the oubliette with all the old things that you let yourself forget because you’d like to love a star who’d throw you down below the ground he thinks you are.
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This seems to be a song about the "haves" and the "have-nots" in the world. The "haves" make the laws and benefit from them while leading to the slaughter the simple-minded "have-nots" that voted them into power.
This reads like a anti-politician song; a comment on politicians who use slogans (refrains) and charisma/celebrity to get regular plebs to vote for them, though the regular folks don't even know they're voting against their own best interests by putting them into power.
I think the "hiding from the sun" parts refer to the manufactured glory of megastar politicians who cynically spout 'plain-folk' altruisms although they don't have the interests of the common man in mind.
The song was written in a contentious election year (2004) and is so much more relevant today.
bribook, i agree, but i think your interpretation is too narrow. I don't think it's merely about politicians, but anyone in a position of power, including radio & TV talking heads like Beck, Limbaugh or Schultz that can persuade people to follow a course of action that is in the charismatic leader's self-interest not yours.
The power can also extend outside the purely political arena to include ultra-charismatic CEOs or Wall Street types hyping their companies or the next bubble, respectively. Could also be an actor or a musician convincing people to get behind a cause they support. Or, more simply, a charismatic friend who can get you to fulfill his will. Or even a boss or teacher or professor.
I think the broader interpretation is supported by the following lines:
"I can't think what lines you'd like me to sing or say, Not sure what subjects you want mentioned. So pause and add your own intentions."
To me the point of these lines is to tell the listener that this charismatic individual will emerge throughout your life in many different forms, in many different areas of your life. He/she will unhesitatingly lead you to act in his narrow interest which is not necessarily aligned with yours and, when and if necessary, he/she will cut you loose in the end -- for example, send you to die in battle (blood in dying coughs), vote for politicians whose agenda is actually opposite your self-interest, get you fired, get you arrested, etc..
There is something very Nietzschean ("Thus Spoke Zarathustra") about the lyrics, and, yes, Ayn Randian (don't think that's a word :-) )
Ultimately, it's a cautionary tale to look out for yourself because those entrusted to do so will always put their own interests ahead of yours.
Great interpretation of my second favorite track on this album. Danneskjold, you have a brilliant way of of perceiving things.
Great interpretation of my second favorite track on this album. Danneskjold, you have a brilliant way of of perceiving things.
These lyrics, the last line, my god.
this song is about being strong in life and in your relationships with people. he argues that we're all fucked because regardless of how many problems we try and hide from, we're going to encounter them anyway along with the thousands of others who experience them. so stand your ground and take your own course of action because if you're dying to be led...
"We've included a form you can print out and fill out and send below:"
I don't remember that part. Unless it's the barely audible scratchy voice underneath all the music.
it's definitely a song about independence. giving in to one's woes would mean conceeding to one's place in life and the world, admitting there are limits. will sheff claims it's a matter of life and death. very clever how he asks us for our intentions, methinks :P
I always thought this song was about war and/or fighting. Were tired of being tough, and we dont need to prove anything, especially not our egos.. but that is all explained in the first line and one of the last lines.
Nicely references 'Song About A Star' as well, actually.
Ive Changed my mind, I think this song is more about religion now, or maybe just a general song about how things can bring you down. I dont really know.
Ive Changed my mind, I think this song is more about religion now, or maybe just a general song about how things can bring you down. I dont really know.