Shopping for Blood
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics

The first few lines of this song talk about the lifestyle and practices of someone who is part of the new Scottish gentry. The singer talks about living in the Merchant City and driving a 4x4 vehicle, as well as eating MNS (which is short for Meal, Nutrition, and Sports - a Scottish meal replacement company) which the singer says tastes of nothing. In these opening lines, the singer is conveying a sense of consumerism and shallowness, where the focus is on appearances and purchasing power rather than more meaningful values.

The chorus of the song dives deeper into this theme of consumerism, as the singer describes themselves as "shopping for blood". This can be interpreted in a few different ways, but it can be seen as a metaphor for the pursuit of power, success, and material possessions. The repetition of this line in the chorus emphasizes the idea of constantly seeking out these things, as if it is an endless cycle of consumerism and greed.

The second verse continues with this theme, mentioning specific items that are meant to convey a sense of status and success, such as leather for leisure and a new suit for court. The lines about "anglified vowels" and "sub London thoughts" suggest a desire to emulate upper-class English culture, which has historically been seen as more prestigious than Scottish culture.

Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the shallow, consumerist culture of the new Scottish gentry, and the endless pursuit of power and status at all costs.