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The Deadly Rhythm
Refused Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

["We got more coming, right now. There's more coming.
We're gonna get, gonna get little sort of a session going here.
A bit of a session, a sessions that will feature the rhythm section." ]

This union that made us powerless is talking over our heads
Claiming prosperity in a downward spiral plan

Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line

This power that made us unionless is taking out of our hands
Cheapest labour at our expensive cost, auctioned our lives away

Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line

We consume our lives like we are thankful
For what we are being forced into

Is it our duty to die for governments & for gods?
Is it our privilege to slave for market & for industry?
Is it our right to follow laws, set to scare and to oppress?
Is it a gift to stay in line and will it take away the blame?

Can no longer pay the price. We'll get organized!
We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!

Can no longer pay the price. We'll get organized!
We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Refused's "The Deadly Rhythm" describe a sense of anticipation and excitement, as the band hints at the start of some kind of session or collaboration within the rhythm section. This upbeat and hopeful tone quickly turns darker, as the lyrics describe the ways in which workers are oppressed by powerful institutions and systems of labor. The "union that made us powerless" is a reference to the way in which traditional labor unions have been weakened or dismantled in many industries, leaving workers without a collective bargaining voice. The idea of "prosperity in a downward spiral plan" speaks to the paradoxical nature of capitalist economies, where profits can grow even as working conditions deteriorate and social inequality deepens.


The refrain, "Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line," is a powerful metaphor for the way in which workers can become trapped in routines of labor that rob them of their autonomy and creativity. The lines that follow describe the various ways in which workers are exploited, from the outsourcing of labor to the low wages that are paid for hard work. The song ends with a call to action, as Refused urges listeners to "get organized" and reject the false promises of a system that treats them as mere cogs in a machine.


Overall, "The Deadly Rhythm" is a scathing critique of the modern capitalist system and the ways in which it impoverishes and dehumanizes workers. The song's lyrics are both politically charged and deeply personal, reflecting the experiences of a band that has spent years working within the music industry and seeing firsthand the challenges and contradictions that it presents.


Line by Line Meaning

We got more coming, right now. There's more coming.
We have more to say, and we will say it now.


We're gonna get, gonna get little sort of a session going here.
We are going to start a discussion.


A bit of a session, a sessions that will feature the rhythm section.
A discussion that will focus on the rhythm section.


This union that made us powerless is talking over our heads
The establishment that made us helpless speaks without considering our opinions.


Claiming prosperity in a downward spiral plan
They claim we will benefit from a plan that is actually self-destructive.


Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
We are trapped in a dangerous pattern of repetitive work.


This power that made us unionless is taking out of our hands
The authority that took away our union rights has deprived us of control.


Cheapest labour at our expensive cost, auctioned our lives away
Our lives have been sold for cheap labor at our own expense.


We consume our lives like we are thankful
We destroy our lives as if we are grateful.


For what we are being forced into
For what we are being compelled to do.


Is it our duty to die for governments & for gods?
Are we obligated to die for governments or religions?


Is it our privilege to slave for market & for industry?
Is it a privilege for us to be laboring for the market and the industry?


Is it our right to follow laws, set to scare and to oppress?
Are we entitled to obey laws intended to intimidate and suppress us?


Is it a gift to stay in line and will it take away the blame?
Is it a kind gesture to follow the rules, and will it absolve us of the blame?


Can no longer pay the price. We'll get organized!
We can no longer afford the cost. We will come together!


We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!
We will no longer trust that working for you will liberate us!


Can no longer pay the price. We'll get organized!
We can no longer afford the cost. We will come together!


We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!
We will no longer trust that working for you will liberate us!




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID PER SANDSTROM, DENNIS LYXZEN, J BRANNSTROM, JON BRANNSTROM, KRISTOFER STEEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@RotiBoy-dy9on

Lyrics
["We got more coming, right now. There's more coming.
We're gonna get, gonna get little sort of a session going here.
A bit of a session, a sessions that will feature the rhythm section." ]
This union that made us powerless is talking over our heads
Claiming prosperity in a downward spiral plan
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
This power that made us unionless is taking out of our hands
Cheapest labour at our expensive cost, auctioned our lives away
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
We consume our lives like we are thankful
For what we are being forced into
Is it our duty to die for governments & for gods?
Is it our privilege to slave for market & for industry?
Is it our right to follow laws, set to scare and to oppress?
Is it a gift to stay in line and will it take away the blame?
Can no longer pay the price. We'll get organized!
We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!
Can no longer pay the price. We'll get organized!
We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!
Source: LyricFind



@matteoide4925

This union that made us powerless is talking over our heads
Claiming prosperity in a downward spiral plan

Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line

This power that made us unionless is taking out of our hands
Cheapest labor at expensive cost, auctioned our lives away

Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line
Stuck by the deadly rhythm of the production line

We consume our lives like we are thankful
For what we are being forced into

Is it our duty to die for governments and for gods?
Is it our privilege to slave for market and for industry?
Is it our right to follow laws, set to scare and to oppress?
Is it a gift to stay in line and will it take away the blame?

Can no longer pay the price
We'll get organized!
We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!
Can no longer pay the price
We'll get organized!
We'll no longer believe working for you will set us free!



All comments from YouTube:

@noonmoom9615

Smooth jazz implies the existence of rough jazz, and this is it chief

@Kommateral

As a french, i play this album everytime i'm waking up in this difficult times..
Be strong everyone

@slowpace1984

You too 🙏

@sandollor

Solidarity

@georgeharrison70

The Shape of Punk to Come is such a great album.

@xtenthfloorx

I saw this at 12 at the same time i discovered underoath. My drum style comes from straight from this album forsure. The engery i bring is straight ripped from "new noise" vid

@dyr234

@toyroebaht you should check out the band "Das Oath" now that band is heavy as can be vocally and musically.

@underlightmusic

@StationDead96 Absolutely, korperkulture steamrolls this refused album.

@roastmypost2157

I love it. Its not hot in any scene. Atleast in my house we spin it all the time.

@virgilgoodwin6446

The music and message of this entire album have stood the test of time well almost 25 years later

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