A donkey serves a master. His life is lived not for himself, but for the benefit of others. Richey obviously related with the role of a donkey, but unlike a donkey he was only too aware of the useless toil and servitude that defined his life. Who was he toiling for? The record company? The band? The fans? What about himself? He wasn't married. He had no children, and no intention of ever having any. So, what was it all for? Fame? Maybe, but fame doesn't bring happiness, and I can speculate about why his particularly brand of fame was nowhere near enough. Richey recognised that his 'cool' factor (that comes with fame) was a negative in the world, as it was a bad influence on (Cult of Richey) fans, causing nihilism to spread, and leaving young lives destroyed before they had even begun. He was a bad influence on confused young people, and he knew it. Why continue to carry on when all you are doing is spreading unhappiness, and useless, empty nihilism for record company profits and a career that you no longer even care about? Richey was a thinking Donkey, and recognising what he was, he decided to end it, permanently. That's why I see in these lyrics, and others (by Richey) of the same time period. He felt worn out, like a knackered old Donkey, and because it was all so empty, he didn't want to do it anymore. I don't blame him. Oh, and the lesson, if anybody cares? Make sure that your work has purpose. Don't expect to find meaning in a corporate career, where all you are doing is toiling for the system, and making money for yourself. Do what the rest of the band did. Get married. Have children. Have a family life. Work (as a man) as a provider for your family. That's all you need. It's what Richey never had. Human donkey's can work for a long time, just as long as they have a good reason to do so.
A donkey serves a master. His life is lived not for himself, but for the benefit of others. Richey obviously related with the role of a donkey, but unlike a donkey he was only too aware of the useless toil and servitude that defined his life. Who was he toiling for? The record company? The band? The fans? What about himself? He wasn't married. He had no children, and no intention of ever having any. So, what was it all for? Fame? Maybe, but fame doesn't bring happiness, and I can speculate about why his particularly brand of fame was nowhere near enough. Richey recognised that his 'cool' factor (that comes with fame) was a negative in the world, as it was a bad influence on (Cult of Richey) fans, causing nihilism to spread, and leaving young lives destroyed before they had even begun. He was a bad influence on confused young people, and he knew it. Why continue to carry on when all you are doing is spreading unhappiness, and useless, empty nihilism for record company profits and a career that you no longer even care about? Richey was a thinking Donkey, and recognising what he was, he decided to end it, permanently. That's why I see in these lyrics, and others (by Richey) of the same time period. He felt worn out, like a knackered old Donkey, and because it was all so empty, he didn't want to do it anymore. I don't blame him. Oh, and the lesson, if anybody cares? Make sure that your work has purpose. Don't expect to find meaning in a corporate career, where all you are doing is toiling for the system, and making money for yourself. Do what the rest of the band did. Get married. Have children. Have a family life. Work (as a man) as a provider for your family. That's all you need. It's what Richey never had. Human donkey's can work for a long time, just as long as they have a good reason to do so.