Sold
Culture Club & Boy George Lyrics
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I'm sick of making history
There's got to be a better way
But we've got all these bills to pay
And they ain't just gonna go away
Like a factory - about to be shut down
Another factory - about to be shut down
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
You're gonna like this one, you're gonna like this one
I do
See if Mr. Botha was a man
He'd tip the hat, he'd pass the can
But he don't talk for you and me
I saw him on the BBC
His eyes looked like a factory
About to be shut down
His eyes looked like a factory
With the lights out - about to be shut down
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
Last night my mother said to me
I'm sick of making history
There's got to be a better way
For you to be
Last night my mother said to me
When you grow up what will you be
If not the white minority
At least protect me
I'm not a factory about to be shut down
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
Sold - There's got to be a better way than this
The song "Sold" by Culture Club was released in 1982 and is a protest song against apartheid in South Africa. The lyrics reflect on the struggles of ordinary citizens trying to make ends meet while their governments exploit their resources. The song begins with the singer's mother complaining about the constant struggle to make history, while hoping to find a better way to pay off their bills. The lyrics compare the struggle to a factory that is about to shut down permanently. The chorus echoes the message of selling out to the government's oppressive regime.
The second verse critiques the South African President at the time, P.W. Botha, for not speaking out for the voiceless masses. The singer comments on his appearance on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and describes his eyes as a factory with the lights about to go out. This imagery signifies the president's disinterest in the plight of his people. The chorus comes in again, saying "Sold! Did you hear it? I'm sold!" which represents the singer's frustration with his government's exploitation.
The last verse is a conversation about the singer's future with his mother. He asks her what he will be when he grows up. She tells him, "If not the white minority, at least protect me." It is a poignant plea from the older generation, longing for a better future for their children than the one they are living in. The last line of the song, "Sold! There's got to be a better way than this!" is a continued critique of the oppressive regime in South Africa.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night my mother said to me
The singer's mother recently spoke to them
I'm sick of making history
The mother does not want to be a part of historical events anymore
There's got to be a better way
The mother believes there must be an alternative solution
But we've got all these bills to pay
However, the family has financial obligations to fulfill
And they ain't just gonna go away
These obligations won't disappear on their own
Like a factory - about to be shut down
The family is in danger of collapsing like a factory that's about to close down
Another factory - about to be shut down
This line refers to the first line metaphorically
Sold - did you hear it? - I'm sold
The artist is resigned to their fate and has given up hope
You're gonna like this one, you're gonna like this one
The artist is trying to convince themselves that they will like the upcoming statement
I do
The artist finds the upcoming statement agreeable
See if Mr. Botha was a man
The song now shifts its focus to Mr. Botha
He'd tip the hat, he'd pass the can
The artist is imagining a scenario in which Mr. Botha would be courteous
But he don't talk for you and me
However, Mr. Botha does not represent the interests of the singer and their family
I saw him on the BBC
The singer witnessed Mr. Botha on television
His eyes looked like a factory
Mr. Botha's eyes were tired and defeated
About to be shut down
This line is a continuation of the previous metaphor
With the lights out - about to be shut down
Mr. Botha's eyes are so dim that it's like the lights are going out in a factory
Sold - There's got to be a better way than this
The singer is still in despair but is hoping for a better solution
For you to be
The mother wants a brighter future for their child
When you grow up what will you be
The mother envisions a better future for their child
If not the white minority
The mother does not want their child to be part of the oppressive white minority
At least protect me
The mother wants their child to protect them from the harsh realities of life
I'm not a factory about to be shut down
The mother is resilient and will not easily collapse like a factory
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, VIC MARTIN, GEORGE O'DOWD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind