Keep On Rotting in the Free World
Carcass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
THE ROLE OF THE WESTERN FREE WORLD IS IN DECLINE,
STILL FREE TO CONSUME, FREE TO BREATHE,
FREE TO EXIST, FREE TO DREAM, YOUR LIFE OF DREAMS,
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, DREAMING, ONE DAY MAYBE,
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, WHILST IN THE REAL WORLD YOU...
CONSUMER OR CONSUMED, YOUR LIFE IS CHEAP,
ECONOMIC SALVATION IN SWEATSHOPS RETURNED FROM THE EAST,
DESPAIR THE ONLY QUALITY OF STRIFE,
A REASON FOR EXISTENCE IF YOU CAN AFFORD THE PRICE,
IF YOUR PRICE IS RIGHT,
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, KEEP ON DREAMING, ONE DAY MAYBE,
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, KEEP ON DREAMING,
WHILST IN THE REAL WORLD YOU...
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, KEEP ON DREAMING, ONE DAY MAYBE,
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, KEEP ON DREAMING,
WHILST IN THE REAL WORLD YOU...
...ROT!!!!!
The lyrics to Carcass's song "Keep On Rottin' in the Free World" can be interpreted as a commentary on the state of Western society and its economic systems. The first verse speaks of the unity of the "threads of global fabric" and the decline of the Western free world's role in it. Despite the ability to consume and exist freely, there is still an underlying sense of despair and the implication that this freedom may be fleeting. The repetition of the line "keep on rotting, keep on hoping, keep on dreaming" can be seen as a call to action to continue fighting for a better future despite the current state of things.
The second verse delves deeper into the idea of economic salvation at the expense of others. The idea that "consumer or consumed, your life is cheap" highlights the reality of capitalism and the inherent inequality it creates. The mention of "sweatshops returned from the East" is a direct reference to the exploitative labor practices often found in developing countries that are fueled by Western consumerism. Despite the bleakness of the reality, the repeated refrain of "keep on rotting, keep on hoping, keep on dreaming" remains, emphasizing the need for perseverance and hope in the face of adversity.
Overall, the song can be seen as a critique of the Western world's economic systems and their impact on the rest of the world, as well as a call to action to keep fighting for a better future despite the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
THE THREADS OF GLOBAL FABRIC ARE UNITED,
The world is becoming more interconnected, with different countries and regions working more closely together.
THE ROLE OF THE WESTERN FREE WORLD IS IN DECLINE,
Western powers, like the United States, are no longer dominating the world stage as they once did and their influence is waning.
STILL FREE TO CONSUME, FREE TO BREATHE,
Despite this decline, people in the Western world still enjoy many freedoms, including the freedom to consume goods and services and to breathe in clean air.
FREE TO EXIST, FREE TO DREAM, YOUR LIFE OF DREAMS,
People in the Western world have the freedom to live and dream as they please, pursuing their own interests and goals.
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, DREAMING, ONE DAY MAYBE,
Despite the decline of the Western world, people should continue to live their lives and pursue their dreams, even if they seem unlikely to come true.
KEEP ON ROTTING, KEEP ON HOPING, WHILST IN THE REAL WORLD YOU...
People should continue to maintain their optimism and pursue their dreams, even when faced with the harsh realities of the world around them.
CONSUMER OR CONSUMED, YOUR LIFE IS CHEAP,
In the global economy, people are either consumers who buy goods or workers who produce them, and life can feel cheap and disposable.
ECONOMIC SALVATION IN SWEATSHOPS RETURNED FROM THE EAST,
Many Western companies rely on cheap labor from countries in the East in order to produce goods and maintain their profits.
DESPAIR THE ONLY QUALITY OF STRIFE,
When people only have access to low-wage, low-opportunity jobs or when they are mired in poverty, it can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness.
A REASON FOR EXISTENCE IF YOU CAN AFFORD THE PRICE,
In a world where everything seems to have a price, people may feel that their reason for living is to earn enough money to survive and thrive.
IF YOUR PRICE IS RIGHT,
Success in the Western world may seem to depend on one's ability to negotiate the right price or sell oneself effectively.
...ROT!!!!!
The song ends with a forceful and intense cry to continue persevering, even in the face of bleak circumstances.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFFREY WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stefankruger9547
It's 2023 and i still cant get enough of Swansong. Sure Torn Arteries and Surgical Steel is brilliant work but Swansong is just very special
@alfonso4955
Just played this album in the car today forgot how good it is. Anyone else rocking this in 2021!
@joshdacosta
yes
@toni20i
Nope…rocking it since it was made
@bluenotebigbends
Yes man. Just relistened this whole CD and it is pure gold still. Listened to carcass since heartwork but this made buy thicker strings and tune down my guitar and learn all the songs. In my mind this is among the best albums of the 90's. Not a single bad song on this album...same goes for heartwork.
@zachdalmaso2131
This is the album that got me into Carcass years ago. I first checked out Heartwork after hearing several different metal fans refer to it in very high regard, but it was I guess "too heavy," or something was off because it just didn't catch on with me after first listening. But I checked out other Carcass stuff on this album and I ended up getting really into Swansong where I'd listen to it start to finish and I learned several of my favorite guitar riffs on this album.
Then I went back to Heartwork - even Necroticism - and now I love both of those albums. Heartwork is now definitely my favorite by them. Swansong is wayyyyy more accessible though. Necroticism also has Corporal Jigsore Quandary(ridiculous name😂) which is one of my favorite tracks by them and they played it for their encore when I saw them in 2014 or 2015, so that was awesome. And of course No Love Lost was in their set list - that's always a banger too.
@andreynikolaev4015
bought a bottle of vodka and enjoying the album
@dogfacedgod
other bands wish they could write an "ok" Carcass album.
@dogfacedgod
@James Bond you mean their 1993 style?
@earthcrawler1159
@James Bond the difference between them is that carcass were the first to do it.