Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
well, you see now
I'm a depression baby
and I remember the WPA
if we could just start the same thing again
and get people working out
there, why not?
is it too menial for somebody to sweep the street?
and if you've got enough money where you don't have to work
let's face it, who wants to work?
there's no reason why anybody
that five generations of people
got to be on welfare
I had one gentlemen get in ---
no offense to you gentlemen, he had long hair and a beard --
and I told him,
he had better go home and take a bath;
he had B.O. so bad, it was terrible
I said "You might be educated,
but did your parents tell you to go dirty?"
see the latest issue
hard up, see
Chicago scene
kids nowadays, that's the whole thing
too much money, they've got too much money
they don't have to struggle and work for things
like when I was growing up had to do
and I was lucky if I got that job
delivering hats in a hat store
for twenty-five cents per hat
too much money today is with the young kids
everything was handed to 'em,
and that's why they are the way they are
I'm a depression baby
and I remember the WPA
if we could just start the same thing again
and get people working out
there, why not?
is it too menial for somebody to sweep the street?
and if you've got enough money where you don't have to work
let's face it, who wants to work?
there's no reason why anybody
that five generations of people
got to be on welfare
I had one gentlemen get in ---
no offense to you gentlemen, he had long hair and a beard --
and I told him,
he had better go home and take a bath;
he had B.O. so bad, it was terrible
I said "You might be educated,
but did your parents tell you to go dirty?"
see the latest issue
hard up, see
Chicago scene
kids nowadays, that's the whole thing
too much money, they've got too much money
they don't have to struggle and work for things
like when I was growing up had to do
and I was lucky if I got that job
delivering hats in a hat store
for twenty-five cents per hat
too much money today is with the young kids
everything was handed to 'em,
and that's why they are the way they are
Lyrics submitted by kevin, edited by wow1111575
Street Collage Lyrics as written by John Ryan
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I was only seven years old when Styx released the album with the above dialouge so I really can't comment on the accuracy of the views, although it does reflect what I've heard those older than me say about that era's.
I do note the contrast Styx created by placing this pessimistic dialouge bewtween two songs ('Children Of The Land' and 'Fanfare For The Common Man') that are so optimistic.
I find it ironic when the man says, "kids nowadays, that's the whole thing too much money, they've got too much money ...".
I've heard the same sentiments out the mouths of members of that youthful (then) generation when caroing about the latest generation's values.
It reminds me to pause and put the current affairs of our nation and society into perspective.
What will today's youth say about tomorrow's? I predict the above sentiments will return again like an echo... at least to those that give themselves over to pessimism.