Movers and Shakers
3rd Alley Lyrics


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(Z. Walters)

The sound of the streetsweeper's a noise
i used to hear back when i was unemployed
on and on and off again
like a slave when to stop and where to begin
beatin' up my bones for the suited man
labrynth of confusion left back where i began
but when i grow rich says the bells of shoreditch
in the place where there's no darkness . .

you ladders and your calculators lead to nowhere
your pocket planners guilt trips and fakers
i can't lie to you movers and you shakers
it's a shame i can't be more like you

the sun is out, but it's butt ass cold
and every propane canister has been already sold
the lines are getting longer cheap perfume is ever stronger
would think about my future but i don't think that they'd bother
LBPD, yeah, you'd better get some tanks
investigating themselves for missing shotguns and shanks
street walking, shut up talking, coffee shop stop, sucker

you ladders and your calculators lead to nowhere
your pocket planners guilt trips and fakers




i can't lie to you movers and you shakers
it's a shame i can't be more like you

Overall Meaning

The song "Movers and Shakers" by 3rd Alley is a commentary on society's expectation of success and the juxtapositions of different classes of people. The opening line references the sound of street sweepers, which the singer used to hear when they were unemployed. The street sweeper is a symbol of the working class, who are oftentimes looked down upon by those in positions of power. The singer describes feeling like a slave, unsure of when to stop or where to begin, beaten down for the sake of the "suited man." This sets up the theme of the song, which is a criticism of the pressure to conform to society's expectations in order to achieve success.


The second verse of the song continues the criticism of the "movers and shakers," or those who seem to have it all together. The singer describes the coldness of the sun and the scarcity of resources, highlighting the struggles of those in poverty. The line "LBPD, yeah, you'd better get some tanks" references the Long Beach Police Department and suggests that even law enforcement is not immune to corruption and dishonesty. The singer expresses a sense of disillusionment toward those who are more successful, unable or unwilling to relate to the struggles of the working class.


Overall, the song "Movers and Shakers" is a critique of society's expectations regarding success and the pressure to conform to certain standards. The lyrics highlight the struggles of those in poverty and criticize those who are more successful for their lack of empathy and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

The sound of the streetsweeper's a noise
The loud noise of the streetsweeper is a sound that is familiar to me.


i used to hear back when i was unemployed
I remember hearing the sound back when I was jobless.


on and on and off again
The sound keeps going on and off repeatedly.


like a slave when to stop and where to begin
The noise feels like a punishment, and I don't know when it will end.


beatin' up my bones for the suited man
The sound is grueling on my bones, but it's intended for people in power.


labrynth of confusion left back where i began
The situation is complicated and overwhelming, and I'm back to where I started.


but when i grow rich says the bells of shoreditch
Despite how I feel now, I might become wealthy in the future.


in the place where there's no darkness . . .
In a bright and hopeful place where negativity does not exist.


you ladders and your calculators lead to nowhere
Your obsession with money and status won't lead you anywhere meaningful.


your pocket planners guilt trips and fakers
Your carefully crafted plans and your fake personalities are not impressive to me.


i can't lie to you movers and you shakers
I cannot pretend to be like you ambitious and successful people.


it's a shame i can't be more like you
I feel inferior to people who prioritize wealth and success over other things in life.


the sun is out, but it's butt ass cold
Despite the bright sunshine, it's extremely cold outside.


and every propane canister has been already sold
People are buying propane canisters to keep themselves warm.


the lines are getting longer cheap perfume is ever stronger
The queues for shopping are getting longer, and the smell of cheap perfume is getting intense.


would think about my future but i don't think that they'd bother
I would consider my future, but I feel like it's pointless.


LBPD, yeah, you'd better get some tanks
The local law enforcement body might need heavy weapons to control the chaotic situation.


investigating themselves for missing shotguns and shanks
The police force is investigating itself due to a shortage of guns and weapons.


street walking, shut up talking, coffee shop stop, sucker
People are wandering the streets, not communicating with each other, and stopping at coffee shops.




Contributed by Madelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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