American Capitalist

It seems to me that this song could be interpreted in many ways from individual lines and quotations from the lyrics. That being said, I believe that the seemingly conflicted meanings sung in equally conflicting styles are done so purposefully to show a complexity within the song. To me, the use of action words and "angry" vocals are meant to show the rough and uncompromising facade of man living within a "survival of the fittest" "take or be taken from" society. Whether American is a key descriptive word or not, (for me) is almost irrelevant. The contrast in the other half of the "clean"(and almost unsure) vocals can be seen through the use of terms like, "I dont wanna believe","I don't want to admit", and "I don't want to regret". I believe these segments of the lyrics are meant to demonstrate the emotions or thoughts of a human who does not agree with the same rough, Darwinian capitalistic society as was alluded to within the prior segments of lyrics. I believe that these lines show that a partially self conscious "American" can realize that their morals and beliefs vastly differ from the society which they live in and identify with, however, to fully realize and accept this understanding would cause a conflict of identity which the speaker is yet unprepared to deal with. Just an opinion.

This song is a rebuke of capitalism.

This is what they say.

"What can you tell us about ‘American Capitalist’ in regard to it’s meaning and how it relates to the music you have created for the album? It’s True Grit. To want to capitalize on your given situation, makes you a CAPITALIST. It’s really simple to me , I’m not sure why everyone is thinking we’re making some crazy political statement. We want to win. We want to take the heavy weight championship belt. We want to get all we can and get it big and fast. But it’s more of a champion mentality then a monetary greed thing. In my opinion, there are two types of personality, Drivers and Passengers. I have met many passengers along the way. I chose to be a driver. Our message, if anything is to inspire people to not waste time and fuck around and be drivers. Capitalize!"

Hear that? It's True GRIT! Capitalize!

http://www.iconvsicon.com/2011/09/01/jason-hook-of-five-finger-death-punch-talks-american-capitalist/

This song is obviously not pro-capitalism. I can guarantee that. And I don't believe its anti capitalist either. and I dont think it describes their views on that economic style, but instead shows their views on what capitalism has done to our society. As humans we are inherently greedy, and many people don't have the compassion or societal preservation agenda to moderate the greed. It goes from greed that is incorprated for survival and happiness, to greed for everything, power, money, without any inhibition or thought to anything but gain. And this tears down the fabric of our country when 99% are opressed by the 1% at the top. I believe the song implies this issue. And that those who are the top 1% who abuse the capitalist economy without any thought to anything but their gain will never admit to anyone or themselves that they are doing damage and that what they do is not for the best, and that they will refuse to accept the damage they are doing, because they do not want to feel the remorse that would come with the acceptance of their evil deeds. The song may start out explaining the person in question, a representative of the capitalist abusers, a full blooded American capitalist, who is proud of who he/she is. Then when the chorus comes, it is a contradiction of the first verse, saying that he/she refuses to accept their wrong and feel remorse for it and will continue to follow the ways they subconsciously know is wrong. Then in the second verse, I can't be sure, but I believe the first line is the person using war as an answer to their problems, and justifying it by forcing themselves to believe that it is a universal problem to Americas problems. And the rest of verse two could be a second person telling them that they essentially are nothing as a human, even with their financial power, because they are corrupted and ruined as a human being, and have sacrificed their most important aspect in life, humanity, for power material gain in life, and that they should man up and accept their evil so they can possibly change. The end of the verse says there will be a reckoning for their evil deeds ( whether 5fdp intended it as religious reckoning or a work of karma that will show itself during life in the form of violent rebellion that will destroy the person, or a strong turn of events that ruins them, I can't tell) and that unless they obtain some form of redemption, they are doomed. Then the final choruses are obviously the same as the first, the person remaining stubborn and choosing to remain oblivious to the consequences their actions have, so they can remain guilt free in their quest for power. Again, I don't know what their views on capitalism are, I believe this is simply about those who are corrupted and abuse the gift of capitalism.

I love this song it pretty much references past albums "war is the answer like I've told you before." From war is the answer (even if it was garbage) "Round 3 no mercy it's the way of the fist." From way of the fist.

i believe that this song is about how Americans are greedy and how the u.s. has declined as a great nation and how we don't want to believe that we are so greedy

In my understanding this song is pretty much supporting American Capitalism, aka work for what you want (which in my opinion people have forgotten about ... I remember of the head of Jack Daniels mentioned that it use to be if you wanted money you had to work for it ... now it's give me).

I really think 5FDP sings about some serious issues today ("Death Before Dishonor", no one seems to be an honor code; "No One Gets Left Behind", well that's self explained; "Under and Over It", simply 5FDP showing they are doing what they enjoy and not just trying to sell out ... something that is happening to much and ruining it for others)