The statements here are pretty direct and in almost every line: This song identifies America as a consumer society in which people pursue material possessions that do not create actual happiness. "Lawyers" seem to be called out simply as one of the higher paid occupations. This song came out at the same time the word "yuppie" was used to identify the kind of individual the song portrays as concerned with designer jeans and television.
The Russian/WW3 idea plays up the Cold War tension that was particularly heightened in the early 80s and thinks the conflict through: Even if America triumphs over the Soviets, it has an empty culture that will only spread further (even to the Moon).
The critique of consumer culture is not original, but putting it in the context of a possible Cold War victory was nicely prophetic.
The statements here are pretty direct and in almost every line: This song identifies America as a consumer society in which people pursue material possessions that do not create actual happiness. "Lawyers" seem to be called out simply as one of the higher paid occupations. This song came out at the same time the word "yuppie" was used to identify the kind of individual the song portrays as concerned with designer jeans and television.
The Russian/WW3 idea plays up the Cold War tension that was particularly heightened in the early 80s and thinks the conflict through: Even if America triumphs over the Soviets, it has an empty culture that will only spread further (even to the Moon).
The critique of consumer culture is not original, but putting it in the context of a possible Cold War victory was nicely prophetic.