The song was written late 1967 as a "anti-establishment" following their brief stint at Disneyland.
Richard and John were hired as the piano/banjo band act at Coke Corner on Main Street and required to perform American songs from around early 1900s. A problem had started when they honored some patrons' requests to play contemporary songs, such as "Somewhere My Love", "Yesterday" and "Light My Fire". Their boss, Vic Guder, was not happy about this, even thought the boys continued to do as their pleased. Not long after, they were both dismissed and took great umbrage to write the song.
Mr. Guder
Carpenters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say! Mr. Guder
May I have a moment with you
Because there is something I've got to say
And please don't let it scare you away
Mr. Guder
Say! Mr. Guder
You're everything a robot lives for
Walk in at nine and roll out the door at five
You reflect the company image
You maintain their rules to live by
Shine your shoes let's keep a neat haircut
Now that you're wearing a coat and tie
Mr. Guder
Say! Mr. Guder
Some day soon may realize
You spend your life just playing a game
Where no ones wins but everyone stays the same
You reflect the company image
You maintain their rules to live by
Shine your shoes let's keep a neat haircut
Now that you're wearing a coat and tie
Mr. Guder
Say! Mr. Guder
Some day soon may realize
You spend your life just playing a game
Where no ones wins but everyone stays the same
The sa-a-a-me
Please!
Play your game!
Stay the same!
The song Mr. Guder by the Carpenters is not only musically delightful, but also has an insightful message that is relevant even today. Mr. Guder is someone who is caught up in the game of life - a game that is more like a rat race than an actual game. The song is addressed to Mr. Guder, who is portrayed as a robot who lives a life that is dictated by the company's image and its rules. He follows the same routine day in and day out, coming to work at 9 am and leaving at 5 pm. He is immaculately dressed, with a neat and tidy haircut and polished shoes, the very embodiment of a corporate worker.
But the song's narrator has a message for Mr. Guder - that he is spending his life playing a game where nobody wins, but everyone remains the same. It is a critical message to anyone who is caught up in the rat race, doing one thing after another, without any real sense of purpose or meaning. The song encourages Mr. Guder to play his game, to stay the same, but also to realize that there is more to life than just following the rules and being the perfect corporate image.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the emptiness of corporate life and the dangers of living in a world that is driven solely by materialistic pursuits. It is a song that provides a glimmer of hope to those who are lost or struggling to find meaning in their lives, reminding them that there is more to life than just playing the game.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Guder
Addressing Mr. Guder
Say! Mr. Guder
Asking Mr. Guder to listen
May I have a moment with you
Requesting for a brief conversation
Because there is something I've got to say
Explaining the reason for the conversation
And please don't let it scare you away
Asking Mr. Guder not to be frightened
I have seen you go through a day
Observing his daily routine
You're everything a robot lives for
Suggesting his life has become mechanical
Walk in at nine and roll out the door at five
Emphasizing the monotony of his job
You reflect the company image
Implying his life is controlled by his employer
You maintain their rules to live by
Suggesting his life is governed by their regulations
Shine your shoes let's keep a neat haircut
Elaborating how his employer controls his physical appearance
Now that you're wearing a coat and tie
Highlighting how his employer has transformed him into their image
Some day soon may realize
Intimating how one day he might understand
You spend your life just playing a game
Implying his life lacks purpose
Where no ones wins but everyone stays the same
Suggesting how no one moves forward in this game
Please!
An appeal to his senses
Play your game!
Encouraging Mr. Guder to keep playing his game
Stay the same!
Encouraging Mr. Guder to maintain status quo
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN BETTIS, RICHARD LYNN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
비정한세상
Mr. Guder
Say! Mr. Guder
May I have a moment with you
Because there is something I've got to say
And please don't let it scare you away
I have seen you go through a day
You're everything a robot lives for
Walk in at 9 and roll out the door at 5
You reflect the company image
You maintain their rules to live by
Shine your shoes let's keep a neat haircut
Now that you're wearing a coat and tie
Some day soon may realize
You spend your life just playing a game
Where no ones wins but everyone stays the same
Please!
Play your game!
Stay the same!
Cindy Cotter
Mr. Guder was my husband's band teacher. It was trippy finding this song and then checking out his yearbook with photos of the real Guder.
Leaf Erikson
Karen Carpenter. One of the best voices of all-time. Great harmonies with Richard, one of the best arrangers/composers of all-time. Subject matter is so on point on this joint, too
The Love Witch
Yeah she's a great singer
Zoe TheCat
My brother and I listened to this album (Close to you) during our entire trip from California to Illinois to visit our Grandparents in the early 70's. Six day road trip while camping. Get up in the morning. Fold and pack the tent up at a KOA. Get in the car. Play side-A, turn over and play side-B, etc, etc, etc. arrive at next campsite and put the tent up. Get up next day and do it all over again. Same routine going home.
You never realize the greatest moments of your life while they are happening. The memories are beautiful though. I can play any of these songs and I'm instantly transported to one of the greatest road-trips I've ever had ;-)
Girls can be drummers
Crescentnoon especially sounds like a great camping song
Yun Yi
@Brad King did he really say that? Totally I agree.
Thomas DiMaggio
@Brad King Anybody ask Shakespeare and Rembrandt to weigh in on that?
Brad King
Beautiful description of why Kurt Vonnegut claimed that " Music is the only artform worth a damn"
elizoid
wish i was alive back then
Jetson White
Some of the best music ever heard on this planet was recorded by this incredible group of musicians. Karen's drumming always stands out too!