Man is Born,
Man Lives,
Man Dies...
And it's all Vanity.
And that's about the way it is in the marry-go-round
You get on...
You go around...
Standing in the saddle...
Man is Born,
Man Lives,
Man Dies...
And it's all vanity.
He tries thrills.
He said I gave myself to enjoy pleasure.
What are teenagers doing today?
They're trying every thrill there is in the books.
We got color TV,
But it still isn't satisfying.
Man is Born,
Man Lives,
Man Dies....
And it's all vanity.
You can't understand it,
It's going so loud,
And so-forth and they're wiggling and wobbling around
And everything else,
And-and yet they're not satisfied
And these disc jockies,
They hear the tune and it's different!
Man is Born,
Man Lives,
Man Dies....
And it's all Vanity.
You can't understand it,
It's going so loud,
And so-forth and they're wiggling and wobbling around
And everything else,
And-and yet they're not satisfied
And these disc jockies,
They hear the tune and it's different!
Hears the tune and it's different!
Man is Born,
Man Lives,
Man Dies...
And it's all Vanity.
Warren Wiersbe is the pastor sampled for this song.
I'd like to add my own interpretation, which is calling attention to (and making fun of) the 'older generations' fear of youth, and their culture.
This concept is one thing that made the Beatles so popular in 1963.. that is, kids are always looking for ways to rebel against their parents' generation. If everyone listened to their parents back then the Beatles never would have made it - and we'd all still be listening to Paul Anka.
To me, the laid-back bassline and playful lead - along with the organ totally make the point that this guy making the speech is an idiot. I also like the fact that he has a southern accent.. adds another layer of spite to this statement against uber-conservative values ;-)
Yeah, that's not a southern accent at all. It sounds completely midwestern, and when you look up the guy who's speaking, Warren Wiersbe, he's a pastor at a church in Indiana. I wonder how you could get a midwestern and southern voice confused...
Yeah, that's not a southern accent at all. It sounds completely midwestern, and when you look up the guy who's speaking, Warren Wiersbe, he's a pastor at a church in Indiana. I wonder how you could get a midwestern and southern voice confused...
@riverkarma I think you could be right, but if you listen to what Warren Weirsbe, the speaker, is saying (a very highly esteemed theologian, by the way - I own a few of his books) he's not railing against pop culture or the rebelliousness of youth. He's referencing Ecclesiastes and talking about searching for meaning in thrills (hence the song title), which is what King Solomon talks about doing in Ecclesiastes. This leads to a meaningless life because the thrills don't actually provide meaning.
@riverkarma I think you could be right, but if you listen to what Warren Weirsbe, the speaker, is saying (a very highly esteemed theologian, by the way - I own a few of his books) he's not railing against pop culture or the rebelliousness of youth. He's referencing Ecclesiastes and talking about searching for meaning in thrills (hence the song title), which is what King Solomon talks about doing in Ecclesiastes. This leads to a meaningless life because the thrills don't actually provide meaning.
Cake has a tendency of pointing out the flaws in society, especially in relationship to consumerism...
Cake has a tendency of pointing out the flaws in society, especially in relationship to consumerism (see "Long Line of Cars," "Mr. Mastadon Farm," "Fashion Nugget," "Italian Leather Sofa," "Satan is My Motor," "Rock 'n Roll Lifestyle," "You Turn the Screws," "Commissioning a Symphony in C," "Dime," "Carbon Monoxide," and most obviously in "Comfort Eagle"). This whole message is a warning to those seeking meaning through consumeristic thrills. I think everything you pointed out ("the laid-back bassline and playful lead - along with the organ") are an example monotony found in the repetitive cycle that thrill seeking becomes. The fact that this is an old recording of a Midwestern preacher likely from the late 60s adds a layer of cynicism because of how much these same thrill-seeking lifestyle habits are just as common today as they were then.
I doubt that Cake holds the same theological position as Weirsbe, but I think their causes intersect on this specific topic. Cake uses Biblical themes in a few of their songs - some in parody ("Sheep go to Heaven," "Jesus Wrote a Blank Check") and some seem to simply use Biblical passages as a vehicle for other ideas ("Hem of Your Garment," "You Part the Waters"). I think this falls into the latter category. I could be mistaken, but based on their own apparent views from other songs it would seem contradictory for them to satire a message about the faults of consumerism.
Hmmm. What is the dialogue from ?
Hmmm. What is the dialogue from ?
It has to be a reference to the book of Ecclesisates from the Bible. Ecc 2:1 "I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity." (English Standard Version) It also fits with the theme of the book. As far as what he's saying about it I'm unsure.
But like, it has to be an old recording of someone saying it. Who/from where?
I have no idea where the dialogue is from...but this song is so cool.
cool idea to cover a speech, i dont know who it is but its probably from around the early 60s
Here's a link to his sermons so you can hear his voice.
discipleshiplibrary.com/warren_wiersbe.php
There are ton's of his writen and audio recordings; I've searched and searched and can't find the exact sermon/ reading from which Cake sampled it? Anyone know?