I somewhat agree with ex77. I've listened to this song a lot through the years and I strongly feel that it is about the expectations that society places on us, especially in the business/corporate world, which Soundgarden rejects.
Moreover, this song is about how our social norms are self-contradictory. For example, if you act all happy-go-lucky in the world of business, you will rub people the wrong way, especially if you're male. People will find you dislikable because you seem happy while their lives are often not. Or maybe they think you're weak. On the other hand, you are expected to make THEM feel important and boost THEIR ego and self-confidence by smiling and being polite and laughing at all their stupid jokes. If you don't, you're not a "team player." You are weird and "stand-offish." People will think you're planning to go postal or something.
So you start off trying to be polite and nice, and people are like "Hey! Head Down! Hide that Smile" like us. Stop being Mr. Happy Pants. But when you accomodate their request, suddenly it's like, "Hey man, Head High, You've Got To Smile. People are starting to think you're rude and antisocial and dont' want to be a team player."
I think this song is Chris or Ben's rejection of that whole charade. I think that is why a lot of Soundgarden's songs express a certain rejection of bourgeousie social conditioning. It's just a trite, stupid game.
I think this song attempts to portrays two perspectives. It switches between the "I" and the "we". "I" being the depressed party, and the "we" being the happy go lucky youth maybe. The "we" are the sheeps (you got to smile), and "I" the depressed youths are feeling the pain. Another interesting perspective can be how the song might be a commentary on separation of social classes. Either way it's a commentary on "the fortunate" vs. the "unfortunate" on some level.
I think this song attempts to portrays two perspectives. It switches between the "I" and the "we". "I" being the depressed party, and the "we" being the happy go lucky youth maybe. The "we" are the sheeps (you got to smile), and "I" the depressed youths are feeling the pain. Another interesting perspective can be how the song might be a commentary on separation of social classes. Either way it's a commentary on "the fortunate" vs. the "unfortunate" on some level.
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
I somewhat agree with ex77. I've listened to this song a lot through the years and I strongly feel that it is about the expectations that society places on us, especially in the business/corporate world, which Soundgarden rejects.
Moreover, this song is about how our social norms are self-contradictory. For example, if you act all happy-go-lucky in the world of business, you will rub people the wrong way, especially if you're male. People will find you dislikable because you seem happy while their lives are often not. Or maybe they think you're weak. On the other hand, you are expected to make THEM feel important and boost THEIR ego and self-confidence by smiling and being polite and laughing at all their stupid jokes. If you don't, you're not a "team player." You are weird and "stand-offish." People will think you're planning to go postal or something.
So you start off trying to be polite and nice, and people are like "Hey! Head Down! Hide that Smile" like us. Stop being Mr. Happy Pants. But when you accomodate their request, suddenly it's like, "Hey man, Head High, You've Got To Smile. People are starting to think you're rude and antisocial and dont' want to be a team player."
I think this song is Chris or Ben's rejection of that whole charade. I think that is why a lot of Soundgarden's songs express a certain rejection of bourgeousie social conditioning. It's just a trite, stupid game.
I think this song attempts to portrays two perspectives. It switches between the "I" and the "we". "I" being the depressed party, and the "we" being the happy go lucky youth maybe. The "we" are the sheeps (you got to smile), and "I" the depressed youths are feeling the pain. Another interesting perspective can be how the song might be a commentary on separation of social classes. Either way it's a commentary on "the fortunate" vs. the "unfortunate" on some level.
I think this song attempts to portrays two perspectives. It switches between the "I" and the "we". "I" being the depressed party, and the "we" being the happy go lucky youth maybe. The "we" are the sheeps (you got to smile), and "I" the depressed youths are feeling the pain. Another interesting perspective can be how the song might be a commentary on separation of social classes. Either way it's a commentary on "the fortunate" vs. the "unfortunate" on some level.
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....
@iwas_at I totally relate to this song,more than most....I have experienced this in every single job I have had...I can't quite get it right...I feel so differently shaped to everyone else it's like I am in another room....