Cheap Reward
Billie Joe Armstrong and Elvis Costello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So be prepared to sweep me out the door
And I might be horizontal by the time the music ceases
So I think I'll get acquainted with the floor
Oh, I was trying to get away from the things that I always do
Hello, floorboards once again--how are you?
Well, how could you believe I'll take you seriously?
With your cheap rewards, your blackmail, and your comical rage
Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage
All the sign posts on this road that point one way
Don't act like you're above me, just look at your shoes
I'll turn the light out now 'cause there`s nothing more to say
And it's all been lost before so there`s nothing to lose
Oh, but you could say that you love me very painlessly
I would've done the same for you, oh, but you said to me:
Lip service--well, that's all you'll ever get from me
Well, how could you believe I'd take you seriously?
With your cheap rewards, your blackmail, and your comical rage
Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage
Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage
The song "Cheap Reward" by Billie Joe Armstrong and Elvis Costello is a commentary on the disillusionment of the working-class and the struggles of those who work in the service industry. The first verse is filled with a sense of disorientation and detachment, as the singer admits to feeling "loose" and potentially falling apart. The line "So I think I'll get acquainted with the floor" suggests that this is not a new feeling, and that the singer has been here before.
The second verse confronts the singer's dissatisfaction with their job, and their frustration with those who demand more from them than they are willing to give. The repetition of "Lip service--well, that's all you'll ever get from me" highlights the singer's unwillingness to put on a fake smile or pretend to enjoy their work. The line "With your cheap rewards, your blackmail, and your comical rage" speaks to the manipulative tactics of those in power, and how they try to intimidate those beneath them.
The final verse touches on themes of equality and resignation. The singer acknowledges that they are on a path that only leads one way, but insists that their boss should not act superior just because they have a higher position or more money. The line "Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage" is a powerful reminder that those in power are only there because of the labor of those they employ, and that they should treat their employees with respect and dignity.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, well, I feel so loose tonight I might fall to pieces
I am in a state of looseness tonight where I feel extremely relaxed and carefree
So be prepared to sweep me out the door
I might lose control so get ready to remove me from this place
And I might be horizontal by the time the music ceases
By the end of the music, I might be lying down
So I think I'll get acquainted with the floor
I plan on getting familiar with the ground that I might end up on
Oh, I was trying to get away from the things that I always do
I wanted to escape from my routine behavior
Hello, floorboards once again--how are you?
I have ended up on the floor before and I am here again. How have you been?
Lip Service--well, that's all you'll ever get from me
I will promise you things, but never really deliver
Well, how could you believe I'll take you seriously?
Why would you trust that I would take anything seriously?
With your cheap rewards, your blackmail, and your comical rage
Your attempts to control me with incentives, threats, and anger are ridiculous
Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage
You are only in charge as long as you compensate me for my work
All the sign posts on this road that point one way
All the indications on this path lead in the same direction
Don't act like you're above me, just look at your shoes
Do not pretend like you are better than me, your shoes reveal your true status
I'll turn the light out now 'cause there`s nothing more to say
There is nothing left to talk about, so I will end this conversation
And it's all been lost before so there`s nothing to lose
Since everything has already been lost, there is nothing left to be lost
Oh, but you could say that you love me very painlessly
It would not be difficult for you to express love towards me
I would've done the same for you, oh, but you said to me:
I would have reciprocated the same love, but you rejected me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
low quality vids
Oml
Elena Juarez
His voice is so high in this lol
Angel Fraraccio
his voice lmfao
airdroper69
I was expecting to see the video of him cursing out the audience at the iHeart radio music show
Charlie Iannini
It feels like he wanted to swear but couldn’t