Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, which features the rollicking, energetic single "Miracle Mile," is Cold War Kids' first release with former Modest Mouse and Murder City Devils guitarist Dann Gallucci, who also handled its production alongside Lars Stalfors.
"We were shaken up, ready to let certain songs go further than before by trying new styles and arrangements, while keeping others sparse and caring more about the finished product and less about how we got there," explains frontman Nathan Willet about the ten-track album, which was recorded at the band's private studio in San Pedro, CA.
Cold War Kids are from Los Angeles, CA.
Welcome To The Occupation
Cold War Kids Lyrics
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They don't want poets they want pigeons on a stool
You're examining fossils, defending criminals
I'm clock watching getting dumb
Photographic models, a house painted solace
I'm like [Incomprehensible] in the sun
You treat 'em like an obligation
Welcome to the occupation
The devil's in the details, devil's in the details
He's got your gold watch and chain
The devil's in the details, devil's in the details
He's got your gold watch and chain
Whistle blowers, we know how you feel
Public servants, surrender their free will
But you can't ban politics and work in the circus
You have to choose just one
You hold the nail, I'll swing the hammer
That's how things get done
And goodbye valedictorians, goodbye punks
Goodbye valedictorians, goodbye punks
And I give up raising your kids America
You treat 'em like an obligation
Welcome to the occupation
The devil's in the details, the devil's in the details
He's got your gold watch and chain
The devil's in the details, devil's in the details
Got your gold watch and chain
In "Welcome to the Occupation" by Cold War Kids, the band comments on sociopolitical issues, particularly in the American education and political systems. The opening lines, "Whistle blowers, gotta get outta school, They don't want poets they want pigeons on a stool," criticize how schools prioritize obedience over creativity and free thinking. The decision to use "whistle blowers" is a powerful one, as it evokes a sense of danger, secrecy, and urgency for those who want to speak out about injustice but fear the consequences.
Later, the song references the idea of choosing between politics and entertainment, with the lyrics, "But you can't ban politics and work in the circus, You have to choose just one." The tone of the song is somewhat resigned and disillusioned, with the chorus lyric, "And I give up raising your kids America, You treat 'em like an obligation, Welcome to the occupation." There is a clear sense of frustration with the way things are, and a recognition that things won't change without significant effort and sacrifice.
The repeated lyric, "The devil's in the details, devil's in the details, He's got your gold watch and chain," implies that there is more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye. The use of the word "devil" suggests that there may be malevolent forces at work, and the reference to a "gold watch and chain" could be interpreted as a symbol of slavery or captivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Whistle blowers, gotta get outta school
People who speak up against wrongdoing or corruption have to leave education and traditional career paths in order to do so.
They don't want poets they want pigeons on a stool
The system doesn't value creativity or new ideas; it wants people who will sit quietly and do as they're told.
You're examining fossils, defending criminals
Some people are so busy focusing on the past or protecting criminals that they're not paying attention to the present or the future.
I'm clock watching getting dumb
The artist feels like they're wasting their time in a job where they're just watching the clock, not learning or growing.
Photographic models, a house painted solace
People focus too much on superficial things like physical appearance and material possessions instead of finding true happiness and contentment.
And I give up raising your kids America
The singer is tired of trying to make a difference in a system that doesn't care about its people or their children.
You treat 'em like an obligation
The government and society only value children as future workers or contributors, not as individuals with unique needs and potential.
Welcome to the occupation
The artist is resigned to the fact that they're stuck in a system that doesn't work for them and many others, and that they're trapped in a cycle of work and meaningless existence.
The devil's in the details, devil's in the details
Problems often arise from small or hidden issues that people overlook or downplay.
He's got your gold watch and chain
Those in power control people's lives and wealth, taking what they can and leaving little for the rest.
Whistle blowers, we know how you feel
The singer understands the struggle of speaking out against injustice and the backlash that often follows.
Public servants, surrender their free will
Even those who are supposed to serve the public often give in to corruption or manipulation, losing sight of their true purpose.
But you can't ban politics and work in the circus
People can't ignore politics and societal issues and focus only on entertainment or superficial things; everything is interconnected.
You hold the nail, I'll swing the hammer
People need to work together and take action to create change and make a difference, rather than just talking or complaining.
And goodbye valedictorians, goodbye punks
The singer is saying goodbye to those who conformed to the traditional education and career paths, as well as those who rebelled against it, because neither approach seems to have made a real difference.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JONATHAN RUSSELL, MATTHEW AVEIRO, MATTHEW MAUST, NATHAN WILLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind