Through the Roof 'n' Underground

I fell in love with it on the Wristcutters Soundtrack. [:

This song is about the decline of individual cultures under the homogenizing force of globalization and corporate-driven consumerism (mostly emanating from the worst corners of the United States but it is by no means the only culprit in this atrocity).

Wal-Mart (under that name or any other) or Starbucks on every corner, every country. It's a depressing thing, when you think about it, that something could be the same everywhere like that.

The whole thing reminds me strongly of what David Bowie mentioned in an interview once about his song "I'm Afraid of Americans":

"I was traveling in Java when [its] first McDonald’s went up: it was like, “for f*ck’s sake.” The invasion by any homogenized culture is so depressing, the erection of another Disney World in, say, Umbria, Italy, more so. It strangles the indigenous culture and narrows expression of life."

Gogol Bordello is all about global exchange & sharing of cultures, not just one manufactured commercial culture degrading, dominating or eradicating everything around it. This song is about escaping that stultifying, soul-sucking force, by going "through the roof and underground" if necessary.

And as the upperdog leisurely sighing, The local cultures are dying and dying. The programmed robots are buying and buying, Secluded freaks they are still trying trying.

that is my favorite part. i think he's talking about capitalism and gentrification working hand in hand. i live in a neighborhood which is predominantly Polish, and we used to have all these polish delis lining the streets, and all the houses were family owned. and now these past couple of years we've had all these hipsters move in, condos be built, and even a starbucks to top it off. some of the original residents are still sticking it out, hopign teh neighborhood doesnt lose its ethnic charm, i think theyre the 'secluded freaks still trying trying'...

awww, same here. been playing it over and over after watching wristcutters. and it keeps making me laugh my heart out. such a fun fun song.

Yeah wristcutters is where i first heard this as well. Great stuff.

wristcutters as well great movie great soundtrack

I also heard this song for the first time in Wristcutters, it always gives me an optimistic feeling and can pretty much improve any day.

my favorite part is

It's underdogs who, and if you want it You always have to make your own fun

i love it when he sings disconbumbled =D i didnt realise he was in the movie everything is illuminated until i watched wristcutters. he's a pretty good actor

I love this song. This is where I first heard of Gogol Bordello. I feel like no matter what mood I'm in, I never really feel hesitant to listen to it. When I've had a bad day, I listen to it over and over again. And when I've had a great day, I listen to it over and over. Haa

This has got to be my favourite song, everytime I listen to it I freeze and mumble along, And I'm glad I finally Understand the Rusian part, These guys are great.