Minimum Wage
The Expendables Lyrics

The Expendables' song "Minimum Wage" is an anthem for those feeling stuck in a dead-end job and yearning for something more meaningful. The opening lines express the desire to stay in bed all day, rather than head off to work, especially when the pay is merely minimum wage. The singer vividly describes a longing to be out in the ocean, where the band can play reggae music to their heart's content. However, the reality of the situation is that it is time to get up and go to work, even though the thought of it is disheartening. The mention of heaven falling to earth, though seemingly random, could be a reflection of the singer's thoughts about their current situation, where it feels like they are stuck in a state of limbo with no real end in sight.

Throughout the song, the singer expresses a sense of detachment from their surroundings and their life's circumstances. They describe going through the motions like a drunken haze, suggesting that work, in particular, is monotonous and devoid of meaning. The idea that life will find a way, no matter what others may say, indicates that despite the despair that the singer may be feeling, there is some latent hope that things will eventually turn around for the better. Still, the burden of their current existence weighs heavy, leading them to toss and turn at night and contemplate their current situation.

The song concludes with the singer feigning sleep as their boss tries to wake them, hinting at an unwillingness to participate in a system that they feel traps them. The sudden shift towards religion ("Maybe I'll talk to god, but will he talk to me") highlights the idea that despite feeling forced into a particular way of life, there is still a higher power that could intervene and change the course of things. However, there is a hint of resignation in the final line: "Trying to be strong now, but I'm so damn weak," indicating that the singer may feel powerless to do anything about their situation.