The band broke up in 2023 following sexual assault allegations against Sane and their social media accounts being deleted. Various sources close to the band state that the breakup was made exclusively by Sane, with the other band members being unaware of the allegations until after.
The Press Corpse
Anti-Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We gotta work to make the facts fit the false charges
Pull the wool over the eyes of the filthy masses
Stab the people in the back for the corporate choice
Roll the propaganda out using The People's Voice
We don't want to talk about it
The press scribble scribble every half-truth spoke
Then shoot it round the country like an April Fools joke
Hype the nation for a Desert Storm love affair
Wave the stars and stripes like you just don't care!
They talk it up all day, talk it up all night
Talk until their face turns blue - Red white and blue!
But when the truth escapes the night and crawls into the day
We find the picture still askew
They don't want to talk talk talk talk talk about it
They want tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and mindlessly salute
They don't want to talk about it
They want tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
And on the TV screen
Diversion and aversion is the flavor of the day
Was it WMDs? Or Democracy?
Blame it on MI-6 or the CIA
The White House Press Corpse only has one thing to say...
"We don't want to talk about it!"
The White House boils over, "Al Jazeera got it wrong!"
The Press Corpse jumps onboard singing the White House song
While over in Iraq thousands are dead because of lies
The spineless war drumming-press corpse have taken lives
They talk it up all day, talk it up all night
Talk until their face turns blue - Red white and blue!
But when the truth escapes the night and crawls into the day
We find the picture still askew
They don't want to... talk talk talk talk talk about it
They want tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and mindlessly salute
They don't want to talk about it
They want tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
Fires fueled on endless lies
Black shrouds coat desert skies
A nation's viewpoint blurred and led
As embeds report what they're fed
We don't want to talk about it
We don't want to talk about it
We don't want to talk about it
We don't want to talk about it
(We don't want to talk about it)
We don't, don't want to, we don't wanna talk about it
(We don't want to)
We don't, don't want to, we don't wanna talk
They don't want to, talk talk talk talk talk about it
They want tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
They don't want to talk about it
They want tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
The lyrics of Anti-Flag's "The Press Corpse" criticize the U.S. media for failure to responsibly report on the Iraq War. The lyrics point out how the media played a significant role in manipulating the public by spreading half-truths and false charges. The song suggests that the media is complicit with the government in deceiving the public.
The lyrics criticize the Media for ignoring the truth and perpetuating lies because the media's interest is to increase viewership and readership. The media is shown as a propaganda tool used by the government to justify wars, and thus promote the country's domestic and foreign policies. The song implies that the American media is controlled and manipulated by the U.S government for its propaganda purposes. The lyrics also expose the media's failure to convey the reality of war and the terrible consequences of war, such as the killing of thousands of innocent civilians.
"The Press Corpse" is a political punk rock song that highlights the failure of the press to speak truth to power. It is a commentary on the untrustworthiness of contemporary journalism. The song's lyrics are essential today, as the world grapples with the rise of populism and "fake news." It is a call-to-action for journalists to do better and to report the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or unpopular that truth may be.
Line by Line Meaning
The (Downing Street) memo says
The memo from Downing Street indicates that they need to manipulate information to fit their false accusations.
We gotta work to make the facts fit the false charges
It is necessary to manipulate the facts to make them fit the false accusations.
Pull the wool over the eyes of the filthy masses
Deceive the public who are considered as ignorant and uneducated.
Stab the people in the back for the corporate choice
Sacrifice people's interests for the benefit of corporations.
Roll the propaganda out using The People's Voice
Use propaganda as a tool to manipulate people's opinions through the media.
We don't want to talk about it
Avoid discussing or acknowledging the truth.
The press scribble scribble every half-truth spoke
Media outlets report partial truths and rumors without verifying the facts.
Then shoot it round the country like an April Fools joke
Spread misinformation like a prank on April Fool's Day.
Hype the nation for a Desert Storm love affair
Generate excitement and support for a war in the desert.
Wave the stars and stripes like you just don't care!
Display the American flag as a symbol of patriotism and national identity.
They talk it up all day, talk it up all night
The media endlessly discusses and reports on these topics.
Talk until their face turns blue - Red white and blue!
Keep talking about it even though it has been exhausted, while invoking national colors.
But when the truth escapes the night and crawls into the day
When the truth is uncovered and finally revealed.
We find the picture still askew
The perception of reality is still distorted.
They don't want to talk talk talk talk talk about it
The media and politicians refuse to acknowledge the truth and discuss it.
They want tiptoe, walk around it
They want to avoid the issue and be cautious when addressing it.
Wave the flag and mindlessly salute
Display patriotism and obediently follow the government's agenda without questioning it.
And on the TV screen
The media, especially TV news channels.
Diversion and aversion is the flavor of the day
The political tactic of diverting attention and avoiding responsibility is very common.
Was it WMDs? Or Democracy?
The reasons for going to war are ambiguous and unclear.
Blame it on MI-6 or the CIA
Suggest that intelligence agencies are responsible for the deception.
The White House Press Corpse only has one thing to say...
The White House-controlled media has a unified message that they will promote without deviation.
"We don't want to talk about it!"
The statement of the White House press corps to avoid and hide the truth.
The White House boils over, "Al Jazeera got it wrong!"
The White House becomes angry and defensive about the criticism it receives.
The Press Corpse jumps onboard singing the White House song
The media controlled by the White House promotes the government's narrative without critical thinking.
While over in Iraq thousands are dead because of lies
The deception has caused harm and loss of life to innocent people in Iraq.
The spineless war drumming-press corpse have taken lives
The media played a role in making the public supportive of an unjust war, leading to the death of many people.
Fires fueled on endless lies
The war in Iraq continues based on a foundation of falsehoods and half-truths.
Black shrouds coat desert skies
Dead bodies are a common occurrence in war zones, as evidenced by the rising body count in Iraq.
A nation's viewpoint blurred and led
The public has been deceived and misled by the government and media's campaign of propaganda.
As embeds report what they're fed
Journalists who are embedded with the military only report what they are authorized to by the government.
We don't want to talk about it
People are afraid to recognize the truth and discuss the issues that affect them.
(We don't want to talk about it)
We don't, don't want to, we don't wanna talk about it
(We don't want to)
Reiterating that people are deliberately avoiding the truth and therefore avoid discussing it.
They don't want to, talk talk talk talk talk about it
The media and politicians refuse to acknowledge the truth and discuss it.
They want tiptoe, walk around it
They want to avoid the issue and be cautious when addressing it.
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
Display patriotism and blindly follow the government's agenda without questioning it.DD
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CHRISTOPHER LEE BARKER, PATRICK C. BOLLINGER, JUSTIN CATHAL GEEVER, CHRISTOPHER MARK HEAD, PATRICK C BOLLINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stickfigureguy6873
[Verse 1]
The memo says
We gotta work to make the facts fit the false charges
Pull the wool over the eyes of the filthy masses
Stab the people in the back for the corporate choice
Roll the propaganda out using The People's Voice
We don't want to talk about it...
[Verse 2]
The press scribble scribble every half-truth spoke
Then shoot it round the country like an April Fool's joke
Hype the nation for a Desert Storm love affair
Wave the stars and stripes like you just don't care!
[Pre-Chorus]
They talk it up all day, they talk it up all night
They talk until their face turns blue - Red white and blue!
But when the truth escapes the night and crawls into the day
We find the picture still askew
[Chorus]
They don't want to... talk talk talk talk talk about it
They wanna tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and mindlessly salute
Woah, woah
They don't want to talk about it
They wanna tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
[Verse 3]
And on the TV screen...
...Diversion and aversion is the flavor of the day
Was it WMDs? Or Democracy?
Blame it on MI-6 or the CIA
The White House Press Corpse only has one thing to say...
"We don't want to talk about it!"
[Verse 4]
The White House boils over, "Al Jazeera got it wrong!"
The Press Corpse jumps onboard singing the White House song
While over in Iraq thousands are dead because of lies
The spineless war drumming-press corpse have taken lives
[Pre-Chorus]
They talk it up all day, they talk it up all night
They talk until their face turns blue - Red white and blue!
But when the truth escapes the night and crawls into the day
We find the picture still askew
[Chorus]
They don't want to... talk talk talk talk talk about it
They wanna tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and mindlessly salute
Woah, woah
They don't want to talk about it
They wanna tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
[Bridge]
Fires fueled on endless lies
Black shrouds coat desert skies
A nation's viewpoint blurred and led
As embeds report what they're fed
We don't want to talk about it...
We don't want to talk about it...
We don't want to talk about it...
We don't want to talk about it...
(We don't want to talk about it...)
We don't, don't want to, we don't wanna talk about it
(We don't want to...)
We don't, don't want to, we don't wanna talk
[Chorus]
They don't want to... talk talk talk talk talk about it
They wanna tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
Woah, woah
They don't want to talk about it
They wanna tiptoe, walk around it
Wave the flag and cowardly salute
@ladysnake8449
This is how you bring 70s punk rock back especially in times of fear corruption and endless agony that we're dealing with right now. How you breathe Punk is not dead it's just asleep it's up to us Millennials and Generation Z kids to wake it. ✊
@jonathanbaker8391
Agreed
@kobked-x
its never slept one bit, the Original Punks are still kicking and fighting to this very day, but that said, welcome aboard youngun o7
@Gammera2000
Punk never died
@gotta_luv_jc
I love punk I am 13 so I guess u are right 🤘
@pizarnik6030
mal
@alexiluffy216
THAT BASSLINE WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE ICONIC!!!!
@loopperson8836
Saw them live in Nashville last night!!!!!!! SO SICK. Good cardio and empowering.
@FullMoonBeaver
Not only is this song an absolute banger, the bassist is rocking it.
@chelseawomeldorff6892
7 years later and the lyrics and subject matter of this song is so relevant to the nightmare going on in America. Anti Flag knew what was up! If only people would really listen and take it to heart!