1. an attention to the material conditions of people's lives and social relations among people
2. a belief that people's consciousness of the conditions of their lives reflects these material conditions and relations
3. an understanding of class in terms of differing relations of production and as a particular position within such relations
4. an understanding of material conditions and social relations as historically malleable
5. a view of history according to which class struggle, the evolving conflict between classes with opposing interests, structures each historical period and drives historical change
6. a sympathy for the working class or proletariat
and a belief that the ultimate interests of workers best match those of humanity in general
The main points of contention among Marxists are the degree to which they are committed to a workers' revolution as the means of achieving human emancipation and enlightenment, and the actual mechanism through which such a revolution might occur and succeed. Marxism is correctly but not exhaustively described as a variety of Socialism. Some Marxists, however, argue that no actual state has ever fully realized Marxist principles; other Marxists, such as Autonomists claim Marxist principles cannot be realized in any state construct seen through the 20th Century and would necessitate a reconceptualization of the notion of state itself.
Ping Pong
Stereolab Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How the economical cycle tends to revolve
In a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
A slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more
Bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
Huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery
You see the recovery always comes 'round again
There's nothing to worry for things will look after themselves
It's alright recovery always comes 'round again
There's nothing to worry if things can only get better
There's only millions that lose their jobs and homes and sometimes accents
There's only millions that die in their bloody wars, it's alright
It's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing
It's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing
It's alright 'cause the historical pattern has shown
How the economical cycle tends to revolve
In a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
A slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more
Bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
Huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery
Don't worry be happy things will get better naturally
Don't worry shut up sit down go with it and be happy
Dumb, dumb, dumb, de dumb dumb, de duh de duh de dumb dumb dum... ah ah
Dumb, dumb, dumb, de dumb dumb, de duh de duh de dumb dumb dum... ah ah
The lyrics to Stereolab's song Ping Pong provide a commentary on the cyclical nature of economic and political systems. The opening lines suggest that there is a historical pattern that illustrates how the economic cycle has a tendency to repeat itself. The three stages of the cycle are described as a slump, war, and recovery, which eventually leads back to square one and the beginning of the cycle once again.
The song highlights the fact that with each repetition of the cycle, it tends to become progressively worse. The lyrics suggest that each slump becomes deeper, wars become greater, and recoveries become shallower. Despite the fact that many people suffer as a result of these cycles, the lyrics suggest that there is nothing to worry about as recovery will always come around again naturally.
The repetition of the phrase "It's alright" throughout the song also reflects the idea of complacency in the face of systems that cause harm to millions of people. The closing lines of the song encourage the listener to "shut up sit down go with it and be happy" - a tongue-in-cheek response to the idea that we should accept these cycles as inevitable and unchangeable.
Line by Line Meaning
It's alright 'cause the historical pattern has shown
It's okay because history has demonstrated that the economic cycle tends to proceed in a certain pattern.
How the economical cycle tends to revolve
The cycle of economic activity typically follows a certain pattern.
In a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
Economic activity tends to proceed in three distinct stages over the course of several decades.
A slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more
First comes a period of economic downturn and war, which then leads to a return to the starting point and the beginning of another cycle.
Bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
Over time, the economic downturns tend to get more severe, the wars become larger in scale, and the subsequent recoveries become weaker.
Huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery
As the economic cycle proceeds, the downturns become even more severe, the wars become even larger, and the subsequent recoveries become even weaker than before.
You see the recovery always comes 'round again
After each downturn, a recovery eventually occurs once again.
There's nothing to worry for things will look after themselves
There is no need to worry because economic activity will eventually return to a state of growth on its own.
It's alright recovery always comes 'round again
Everything will be okay because the economy will eventually return to a state of growth again.
There's nothing to worry if things can only get better
There is no need to worry because things are bound to improve in the future.
There's only millions that lose their jobs and homes and sometimes accents
While millions may lose their jobs, homes, and even their cultural identities in times of economic hardship, this is just a small part of the cyclical process.
There's only millions that die in their bloody wars, it's alright
While millions may die in the wars that tend to accompany economic downturns, this too is just a part of the cyclical process.
It's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing
The losses incurred in times of economic hardship and war are only affecting the lives of those directly involved and their families.
Don't worry be happy things will get better naturally
There is no need to worry because things will eventually get better on their own.
Don't worry shut up sit down go with it and be happy
There is no use worrying or resisting the cyclical nature of the economic process; instead, one should accept it and try to be happy.
Dumb, dumb, dumb, de dumb dumb, de duh de duh de dumb dumb dum... ah ah
This is simply a nonsensical musical refrain that does not convey any particular meaning.
Dumb, dumb, dumb, de dumb dumb, de duh de duh de dumb dumb dum... ah ah
This is simply a nonsensical musical refrain that does not convey any particular meaning.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAETITIA SADIER, TIMOTHY JOHN GANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fififresa
It's alright 'cause the historical pattern has shown
How the economical cycle tends to revolve
In a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
A slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more
Bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
Huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery
You see the recovery always comes 'round again
There's nothing to worry for things will look after themselves
It's alright recovery always comes 'round again
There's nothing to worry if things can only get better
There's only millions that lose their jobs and homes and sometimes accents
There's only millions that die in their bloody wars, it's alright
It's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing
It's only their lives and the lives of their next of kin that they are losing
It's alright 'cause the historical pattern has shown
How the economical cycle tends to revolve
In a round of decades three stages stand out in a loop
A slump and war then peel back to square one and back for more
Bigger slump and bigger wars and a smaller recovery
Huger slump and greater wars and a shallower recovery
Don't worry be happy things will get better naturally
Don't worry shut up sit down go with it and be happy
Dumb, dumb, dumb, de dumb dumb, de duh de duh de dumb dumb dum... ah ah
Dumb, dumb, dumb, de dumb dumb, de du
@yeahwhatever1184
I’m 22. I found this album at a used discount record and book store. I had no idea who they were. I just thought their name sounded cool so I bought it. Turned out to be one of my favorite bands. Call it serendipity, idk. I just know this music is incredible and I’m lucky to have found it on a whim.
@monsterguyx6322
Likewise, a random path of clicks led me to this comment today, and it really made me smile. Discovering new music can be one of life's great joys, and this story is exactly how I found some of my favorite bands. It's good to know that young people are still able share that experience.
@barrielincourt2333
It's funny I did the same thing but it was 1994 I think. I was at a record store and liked the cover. My buddy told me I wouldn't like them but I bought it anyway. I have been a fan since.
@chumimiii533
We're all connected through this music, it's an incredible feeling ❤️
@mceneaney
Great place to start. Wish this one had been my first. You're life is only going to get better.
@magmasunburst9331
Stereolab and Serendity = Serendipitylab
@philmason9653
"only millions that lose their jobs and homes and sometimes accents" - that line hits even harder today than it did when this was written.
@normthebaker7305
Turning those lyircs into a wonderful Pop song is a feat unto itself. Bravo Stereolab.
@Lolabooboo
Only they could do it
@anneross1021
I worked for their distribution company in the 90's ...always looked forward to anything they released...Time hasn't damped my love and enthusiasm for Stereolab...Great band...lovely people...Great music