So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Here we go again, it's Monday at last
He's heading for the Waterloo line
To catch the 8 a.m. fast, it's usually dead on time
Hope it isn't late, got to be there by nine
Pinstripe suit, clean shirt and tie
Stops off at the corner shop, to buy The Times
'Good Morning Smithers-Jones'
'How's the wife and home?'
'Did you get the car you've been looking for?'
'Did you get the car you've been looking for?'
Let me get inside you, let me take control of you
We could have some good times
All this worry will get you down
I'll give you a new meaning to life, I don't think so
Sitting on the train, you're nearly there
You're a part of the production line
You're the same as him, you're like tin-sardines
Get out of the pack, before they peel you back
Arrive at the office, spot on time
The clock on the wall hasn't yet struck nine
'Good Morning Smithers-Jones'
'The boss wants to see you alone'
'I hope it's the promotion you've been looking for'
'I hope it's the promotion you've been looking for'
'Come in Smithers, old boy'
'Take a seat, take the weight off your feet'
'I've some news to tell you'
'There's no longer a position for you'
'Sorry Smithers-Jones'
Put on the kettle and make some tea
It's all a part of feeling groovy
Put on your slippers turn on the TV
It's all a part of feeling groovy
It's time to relax, now you've worked your arse off
But the only one smilin' is the sun-tanned boss
Work and work you wanna work 'till you die
There's plenty more fish in the sea to fry
He's heading for the Waterloo line
To catch the 8 a.m. fast, it's usually dead on time
Hope it isn't late, got to be there by nine
Pinstripe suit, clean shirt and tie
Stops off at the corner shop, to buy The Times
'Good Morning Smithers-Jones'
'How's the wife and home?'
'Did you get the car you've been looking for?'
'Did you get the car you've been looking for?'
Let me get inside you, let me take control of you
We could have some good times
All this worry will get you down
I'll give you a new meaning to life, I don't think so
Sitting on the train, you're nearly there
You're a part of the production line
You're the same as him, you're like tin-sardines
Get out of the pack, before they peel you back
Arrive at the office, spot on time
The clock on the wall hasn't yet struck nine
'Good Morning Smithers-Jones'
'The boss wants to see you alone'
'I hope it's the promotion you've been looking for'
'I hope it's the promotion you've been looking for'
'Come in Smithers, old boy'
'Take a seat, take the weight off your feet'
'I've some news to tell you'
'There's no longer a position for you'
'Sorry Smithers-Jones'
Put on the kettle and make some tea
It's all a part of feeling groovy
Put on your slippers turn on the TV
It's all a part of feeling groovy
It's time to relax, now you've worked your arse off
But the only one smilin' is the sun-tanned boss
Work and work you wanna work 'till you die
There's plenty more fish in the sea to fry
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Smithers-Jones Lyrics as written by Bruce Foxton
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I was a cabbie back in the 90's and picked up bruce a few times from the train station complete in 'Suit and Tie'. I commented that he looked rather like Smithers Jones himself but he laughed and still gave me a great tip.
Its less about working class being exploited, and more about middle class joe cubicle being dumped on following a "career" and its empty promises. Happy ending though, ole Smithers kicks back and realises he's now free. A lot of the Jam stuff was quite pro the working class (Saturday's kids etc.). As apt today as it ever was.
Bruce Foxton wrote this one. It may be about british life, but it sure relates to current American life nowadays. I've been playing this one alot recently, recalling the lyrics from when I was younger and listened to The Jam non-stop.
Yeah man Jam rule I love the wat they placed this right after burning sky on the album so briliant. This song is a great song about being exploited by the upper class and generally being in the working class.
I was a cabbie back in the 90's and picked up bruce a few times from the train station complete in 'Suit and Tie'. I commented that he looked rather like Smithers Jones himself but he laughed and still gave me a great tip.
Great Foxton lyric with a great last verse sang by weller that compliments foxtons tale of exploitation of Mr average by the "suntanned boss"
"Let me get inside you, let me take control of you, We could have some good times, All this worry will get you down, I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so."
what does that part mean?
@trolololo My guess is its the billboards he's looking at on the train.
@trolololo My guess is its the billboards he's looking at on the train. or maybe something in the Times that he just bought.