I think this is a song about capitalism and its negative impacts on people in a broad sense. The following lyric in particular leads me to think this is a criticism of the selfishness and cruelty of the system:
"I trample down all life in my wake
I eat it up and take the cake
I just avert my eyes to the pain
Of someone's loss helping my gain..."
Also it should be noted that Weller has been a committed socialist for most of his life (still is today) and a lot of his songs reflect his politics. In addition, the symbol of a red carnation and a red rose have been symbols of the socialist and labour movement both in North America and in Europe (possibly;e elsewhere too) for a long time.
I think this is a song about capitalism and its negative impacts on people in a broad sense. The following lyric in particular leads me to think this is a criticism of the selfishness and cruelty of the system: "I trample down all life in my wake I eat it up and take the cake I just avert my eyes to the pain Of someone's loss helping my gain..."
Also it should be noted that Weller has been a committed socialist for most of his life (still is today) and a lot of his songs reflect his politics. In addition, the symbol of a red carnation and a red rose have been symbols of the socialist and labour movement both in North America and in Europe (possibly;e elsewhere too) for a long time.