Offshore Banking Business
The Members Lyrics
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Front street Hamilton
They doin' more than growing bananas
They got a tax dodge going on
Offshore banking business
International crime
Offshore banking business
Happening all the time
Banks and corporations are registered
And operating there
They don't employ any local staff
And I don't know if you are aware
One American sitting at a desk
With a plaque outside on the wall
Huh, you know that's what they call
Offshore banking business
Some kind of financial thing, yeah
Offshore banking business
The man with the money
He's gonna swing up there from the tree
You got some pennies and the pounds
Your head's going round
With a bunch of figures
That your mind can't compound
I say as I would say
Who wants to know?
I would say I wanna know
Who's got my money?
Who's got my sense?
Why is everybody trying to steal my pence?
Guy in the city
Guy in the news
Everybody giving me the financial blues, yeah
(I accuse)
Who's behind this operation?
I'll tell you you what I know
(And I know more than the rest)
Newspaper barons and oil tycoons
Watching their money grow
It's not an idle rumour nor no scandal talk
All of the profits are washed through
Curacao, Panama, New York
Offshore banking business
You better watch your chin, Jim
Offshore banking business
IMF never gonna let you in with this
Offshore banking business
You think it's just money that counts
Offshore banking business
Well sure gonna come mash up your bank account.
The Members' song "Offshore Banking Business" is a satirical take down of the practice of offshore banking, where companies and wealthy individuals evade taxes and hide profits through the use of overseas bank accounts. The song starts by identifying Bermuda and the Bahamas as two such popular locations for offshore banking, where banks and corporations are registered and operating without employing any local staff. The chorus, "Offshore banking business, happening all the time," suggests that this practice is not only widespread, but also tolerated and normalized.
The verses continue to expose the potential corruption and political ties behind offshore banking, as the lyrics accuse newspaper barons and oil tycoons of being behind the operation. The song also touches on the confusing nature of financial figures and the paranoia of losing money to the "financial blues." The final chorus warns of the consequences of offshore banking, suggesting that it will eventually come to ruin the bank accounts of those who engage in it.
The use of catchy, upbeat music and sarcastic lyrics creates an ironic juxtaposition, emphasizing the absurdity and corruption of offshore banking. The song highlights the systemic inequality perpetuated by this practice and serves as an indictment of those who profit from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Bermuda in the Bahamas
There is a tax haven in Bermuda in the Bahamas.
Front street Hamilton
It is located at Front street Hamilton.
They doin' more than growing bananas
The people in this tax haven are doing more than just growing bananas.
They got a tax dodge going on
There is a tax loophole happening in this tax haven.
Offshore banking business
This is an offshore banking business.
International crime
This offshore banking business may be associated with international crime.
Offshore banking business
This is an offshore banking business.
Happening all the time
This offshore banking business is happening all the time.
Banks and corporations are registered
Banks and corporations are registered in this tax haven.
And operating there
They are operating in this tax haven.
They don't employ any local staff
These banks and corporations do not employ any local staff in this tax haven.
And I don't know if you are aware
The singer is unsure if the listener is aware of this fact.
One American sitting at a desk
There is only one American who works in this offshore banking business and he just sits at a desk.
With a plaque outside on the wall
The American has a plaque outside his office.
Huh, you know that's what they call
This is what they call this offshore banking business.
Offshore banking business
This is an offshore banking business.
Some kind of financial thing, yeah
The singer thinks this offshore banking business is something financial in nature.
Offshore banking business
This is an offshore banking business.
The man with the money
This offshore banking business is run by a man with a lot of money.
He's gonna swing up there from the tree
The singer is implying that the man running this offshore banking business may end up being hanged.
You got some pennies and the pounds
The listeners may have some money of their own.
Your head's going round
Thinking about money and numbers may make a person's head spin.
With a bunch of figures
These numbers may seem overwhelming.
That your mind can't compound
It may be difficult for a person to understand these financial figures.
I say as I would say
The singer is asking a rhetorical question.
Who wants to know?
The singer is asking if anyone wants to know who is behind this offshore banking business.
I would say I wanna know
The singer himself wants to know who is behind this offshore banking business.
Who's got my money?
The singer is asking who has his money since it may be invested in this offshore banking business.
Who's got my sense?
The singer is also asking who has his common sense since investing in this offshore banking business is risky.
Why is everybody trying to steal my pence?
The singer is asking why everyone is trying to take his money.
Guy in the city
There is a man in the city who is involved with this offshore banking business.
Guy in the news
There is another man in the news who is associated with this offshore banking business.
Everybody giving me the financial blues, yeah
Thinking about this offshore banking business gives the singer financial anxiety.
(I accuse)
The singer is making an accusation that someone is behind this offshore banking business.
Who's behind this operation?
The singer is asking who is behind this offshore banking business operation.
I'll tell you you what I know
The singer will share what he knows about this offshore banking business.
(And I know more than the rest)
The singer believes that he knows more about this offshore banking business than other people.
Newspaper barons and oil tycoons
Powerful individuals such as newspaper barons and oil tycoons may be involved with this offshore banking business.
Watching their money grow
These powerful individuals may be using this offshore banking business to grow their money even more.
It's not an idle rumour nor no scandal talk
What the singer is saying is not idle gossip, nor is it scandalous talk.
All of the profits are washed through Curacao, Panama, New York
All the profits from this offshore banking business are being washed through Curacao, Panama, and New York.
Offshore banking business
This is an offshore banking business.
You better watch your chin, Jim
The singer is warning a person named Jim to be careful when it comes to this offshore banking business.
IMF never gonna let you in with this
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) will not approve of a person's involvement with this offshore banking business.
You think it's just money that counts
The singer believes that people are too focused on money when it comes to this offshore banking business.
Well sure gonna come mash up your bank account.
This offshore banking business is risky and may result in a person's bank account being ruined.
Writer(s): J. CARROLL
Contributed by Stella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SwAggCiTyent305
Bermuda in the Bahamas, Front Street Hamilton, They're doing more than growing bananas, they've got a tax dodge going on,
Offshore Banking Business, International Crime! Offshore Banking Business, Happening all the time!
Banks and corporations are registered and operating there, They don't employ any local staff and I don't know if you are aware,
One American sitting at a desk with a plaque outside on the wall, Ha! You know that's what they call,
Offshore Banking Business, Some kind of financial thing yeah, Offshore Banking Business, That guy with the money's gonna swing out there from the trees,
You got the pennies in the pound, heads going round with the hot-shot figures that you make-a compound, I say as I would say 'who wants to know?', I would say 'I wanna know', Who's got my money who's got my pence? Why's everybody trying to steal my pence? Guy in the city, guy in the news, everybody givin' me the financial blues,
I accuse...
Who's behind this operation? I'll tell you what I know (and I know more than the rest), Newspaper barons and oil tycoons watching their money grow, It's not an idle rumour, nor scandal talk, All of the profits are washed through Curaçao, _ PANAMA _, New York,
Offshore Banking Business, You better watch your chin, Jim, Offshore Banking Business, IMF never gonna let you in with it, Offshore Banking Business, You think it's just money that counts, Offshore Banking Business, Well we're sure gonna come mess up your bank accounts,
The following is a lesson in home economics by The Members, So crank up those record players and play it loud, You've got the Pennies and the Pound, got the Dollars and the Yen, You got the Marks and the Rouble, give you nothing but trouble, International crime is happening...
@loursben9925
Bermudes aux Bahamas, Front Street Hamilton,
ils font plus que cultiver des bananes, ils ont une escroquerie fiscale en cours,
Entreprise bancaire offshore, crime international!
L'activité bancaire offshore, qui se passe tout le temps!
Les banques et les sociétés y sont enregistrées et y opèrent, elles n'emploient aucun personnel local et je ne sais pas si vous le savez,
Un Américain assis à un bureau avec une plaque à l'extérieur sur le mur, Ha !
Tu sais c'est comme ça qu'ils appellent,
Entreprise bancaire offshore, Une sorte de chose financière ouais, Entreprise bancaire offshore,
Ce gars avec l'argent va sortir des arbres,
Vous avez les centimes dans la livre, les têtes tournent avec les chiffres chauds que vous faites -
un composé, je dis comme je dirais 'qui veut savoir?', je dirais 'je veux savoir', qui a mon argent qui a mon penny?
Pourquoi tout le monde essaie-t-il de voler mon centime ?
Mec dans la ville, mec dans les nouvelles, tout le monde me donne le blues financier,
J'accuse...
Qui est derrière cette opération ? Je vais vous dire ce que je sais (et j'en sais plus que les autres),
Les barons de la presse et les magnats du pétrole regardent leur argent grossir,
Ce n'est pas une vaine rumeur, ni un scandale, Tous les profits passent par Curaçao, _ PANAMA _ , New York,
Offshore Banking Business,
Tu ferais mieux de surveiller ton menton, Jim, Offshore Banking Business,
Le FMI ne te laissera jamais entrer, Offshore Banking Business,
Tu penses que c'est juste l'argent qui compte, Offshore Banking Business,
Eh bien, nous allons sûrement gâcher vos comptes bancaires,
Ce qui suit est une leçon d'économie domestique par les membres, alors lancez ces tourne-disques et jouez fort, vous avez les centimes et la livre, vous avez les dollars et le yen, vous avez les marks et le rouble, donnez-vous rien que des ennuis, le crime international se produit...
@SwAggCiTyent305
Bermuda in the Bahamas, Front Street Hamilton, .They're doing more than growing bananas, they've got a tax dodge going on,
.Offshore Banking Business, International Crime! .Offshore Banking Business, Happening all the time!
..Banks and corporations are registered and operating there, .They don't employ any local staff and I don't know if you are aware..One American sitting at a desk with a plaque outside on the wall, .Ha! You know that's what they call:
Offshore Banking Business, Some kind of financial thing yeah, .Offshore Banking Business, That guy with the money's gonna swing out there from the trees,
.You got the pennies in the pound, heads going round with the hot-shot figures that you make-a compound, .I say as I would say 'who wants to know?', I would say 'I wanna know',Who's got my money who's got my pence? Why's everybody trying to steal my pence? Guy in the city, guy in the news, everybody givin' me the financial blues!
...I accuse..!
Who's behind this operation? I'll tell you what I know (and I know more than the rest), .Newspaper barons and oil tycoons watching their money grow, .It's not an idle rumour, nor scandal talk, .All of the profits are washed through Curaçao, _ PANAMA _, New York,
.Offshore Banking Business, You better watch your chin, Jim, .Offshore Banking Business, IMF never gonna let you in with it, .Offshore Banking Business, You think it's just money that counts, .Offshore Banking Business, Well we're sure gonna come mess up your bank accounts,
The following is a lesson in home economics by The Members, .So crank up those record players and play it loud, .You've got the Pennies and the Pound, got the Dollars and the Yen, You got the Marks and the Rouble, give you nothing but trouble, .International crime is happening...
@Clappinghambloke1998
RIP Nicky Tesco
@cathr808
This needs to be number one this Christmas...
@marleyite
Rest in peace Nick Tesco, didnt even knew he passed about 2 years ago.
@themusicfella
RIP Nicky Tesco. Thanks for the music
@robgoren8628
More relevant now than ever.
@johnsmith-mv8hq
This has to be the theme for the film of the Panama Papers!
@l0rri666
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/why-you-should-care-about-panama-papers-mossack-fonseca
@TriangleStudioTV
This was the era of real expression ! Great band, great song, great lyric, and an excellent arrangement, all the way down to the final horn chord.....and the video is just the best! ...and it's all so very relevant today.
@dutezore
Lived in Farnborough in the 70z used to see them most weekends . Knew Nicky vaguely they were such a great live band no aggro at the gigs. To me they were my sound of the suburbs. On their day their lyrics were as meaningful as the Clash and played with the energy of the Ruts. Never will forget them
@wullieg7269
One of best bids for the century!.saw dem 3yrs back,this song was so... prophetic.