The band eventually broke up over a combination of creative differences and financial difficulties. Their failure to secure a record deal in the US certainly didn't help matters, despite critical acclaim in America. Rolling Stone's review of "Foxheads Stalk This Land" called it "first-rate guitar pop from a top-shelf band. Close Lobsters could have been just another jangle group, but they have a lot more going for them than just chiming Rickenbackers."
The band reunited briefly in 1991 for a few live gigs before disbanding more permanently.
The Close Lobsters song "Let's Make Some Plans" was covered by the Wedding Present on the b-side of the "California" single in 1992.
Andrew Burnett is a lecturer in the Business faculty at the University of Paisley and guitarist Graeme Wilmington is an Audio Technology lecturer at Stow College, Glasgow.
The band became active again in the 2010s, releasing multiple EPs and an LP, Post Neo Anti - Arte Povera In the Forest Of Symbols in 2020.
I Take Bribes
Close Lobsters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Barely work
Sold my soul, I employ myself
Just steal my soul, you understand
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
I'm thinking of theft
You see what no doin's done to my relatives
They don't vote conservative
Touch things, you understand
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
I take, I don't take bribes
I like, don't like my soul
I take, I don't take bribes
I like, like, like myself
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
The lyrics to Close Lobsters' song "I Take Bribes" reflect a cynical and disillusioned view of life, in which the singer has given up on traditional ways of making a living and instead chooses to "sell [their] soul" and "steal [their] soul" in order to make money. The repeated refrain of "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" suggests a kind of resigned acceptance of this state of affairs, as if the singer has come to terms with the fact that the world is a corrupt and morally bankrupt place.
The second verse of the song introduces the idea that the singer is considering "theft" as a means of survival, and that they have seen the negative effects of poverty on their "relatives" who "don't vote conservative." This could be interpreted as a criticism of the conservative government's policies towards the poor, which the singer sees as contributing to their own economic struggles. The repeated phrase "Touch things, you understand" suggests that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means engaging in criminal activity.
Overall, "I Take Bribes" is a bleak and cynical song that reflects the disillusionment and desperation of its narrator. The lyrics suggest that the singer has lost faith in society and is willing to compromise their own morals in order to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
How is business?
How's work going?
Barely work
I don't really work much
Sold my soul, I employ myself
I've given up my morals to be self-employed
Just steal my soul, you understand
I'm willing to sacrifice my integrity for success
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Repetition of agreement
I'm thinking of theft
I'm considering doing something illegal
You see what no doin's done to my relatives
Look how lack of action has affected my family
They don't vote conservative
My family doesn't support conservative policies
Touch things, you understand
I'm willing to get my hands dirty
I take, I don't take bribes
I'm conflicted about accepting bribes
I like, don't like my soul
I'm torn between enjoying success and sacrificing my morals
I like, like, like myself
I'm content with who I am
Contributed by Harper N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sharrison586
I love this band sooooooooo much