Kevin's most overtly left-wing song.
He begins by noting that leaders by their nature have the greater interest in improving their own personal portfolio than in any self-professed altruism. He particularly targets religion, specifically christianity with its incarnation and martyrdom. He goes on to strike at politicians and advertisers (doctors of dreaming) who distract from the true evils of a society based on exploitation, replacing focus with entertainment (drugs) and controversy [end of first stanza].
Kevin states the basic unfairness of the social structure, reiterating that those in power, posessing privelage, expolit and use, in order to exaggerate the discrepency between rich and poor. To him, this 'class struggle' is worldwide. "You/we do not work for one another" is his most blatant statement of the rigid class system where the many work for the few (rather than for a communal public good). [End of second stanza].
Very much a didactic, educational song--more than just the typical "Kevin Ayers shares his philosophy of life" song.
At this period in his life, Kevin (allegedly) had a problem with a white, powdered pharmaceutical, the recovery from which greatly influenced this album. His anger at those who exploited this vulnerablility is apparent in this song. He takes more responsiblity in his choice of the album's title.
Kevin's most overtly left-wing song. He begins by noting that leaders by their nature have the greater interest in improving their own personal portfolio than in any self-professed altruism. He particularly targets religion, specifically christianity with its incarnation and martyrdom. He goes on to strike at politicians and advertisers (doctors of dreaming) who distract from the true evils of a society based on exploitation, replacing focus with entertainment (drugs) and controversy [end of first stanza]. Kevin states the basic unfairness of the social structure, reiterating that those in power, posessing privelage, expolit and use, in order to exaggerate the discrepency between rich and poor. To him, this 'class struggle' is worldwide. "You/we do not work for one another" is his most blatant statement of the rigid class system where the many work for the few (rather than for a communal public good). [End of second stanza]. Very much a didactic, educational song--more than just the typical "Kevin Ayers shares his philosophy of life" song. At this period in his life, Kevin (allegedly) had a problem with a white, powdered pharmaceutical, the recovery from which greatly influenced this album. His anger at those who exploited this vulnerablility is apparent in this song. He takes more responsiblity in his choice of the album's title.