MINIMUM WAGE IS A GATEWAY DRUG
Dillinger Four Lyrics
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Selling them off to friends for rent
Plus a pay check and still in debt?
I'm asking how could it be?
I know they know I'm beneath them
Even homeless assholes know my name
Now it's "urban flight" or a cell for the night
One can tell themselves about when going gets rough
Determination just ain't enough
When your overtime defines your life
This American me
This American me
Tradition tells us home own
But the time card's saying no go
Now the suits are talking foreclose
From sea to shining sea
Time was a war time economy
Was a silver lining to tragedy
But even those with homes are now those alone
In the land of the free
I asked for nothing and I got it in spades
Worked for a living and I earned a cage
They say I look old for my age
This American me
This American me
This American me
This American, this American, this American
This American me
This American, this American, this American
This American me
This American, this American, this American
This American me
The lyrics to Dillinger Four's "Minimum Wage is a Gateway Drug" delve into the struggles of the working class in America. The opening lines describe the desperate measures one may take to make ends meet, resorting to stealing and selling cigarettes to friends for rent money. Despite working a full-time job, the singer is still in debt, unable to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty. The following line, "I know they know I'm beneath them," speaks to the societal hierarchy that exists and how even those who are homeless hold a certain level of superiority over those who are struggling to make ends meet. The mention of "urban flight" and "cell for the night" highlights the systemic issues of gentrification and incarceration that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
The lyrics further explore the American Dream and the traditional expectation of homeownership. However, the reality of low wages and unemployment makes this dream unattainable for many. The line "Time was a war time economy, was a silver lining to tragedy" references how the economy boomed during wartime due to government spending, creating jobs and increasing wages. However, this economic boost did not last forever and the working class were left behind to struggle once again. The mention of being "old for my age" speaks to the toll that hard labor and a lack of financial stability can take on one's physical and mental health.
Overall, the song critiques the capitalist system and the way it perpetuates poverty and inequality. It highlights the need for systemic change and a redistribution of wealth to provide a better quality of life for all American citizens.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I'm stealing cigarettes
I am resorting to theft to make ends meet due to financial struggles
Selling them off to friends for rent
I am selling the stolen cigarettes to pay for rent
Plus a pay check and still in debt?
Even with a paying job, I am still struggling to pay my debts
I'm asking how could it be?
I am wondering about how difficult it is to make ends meet despite having a job
I know they know I'm beneath them
I am aware that society looks down on me for my financial struggles
Even homeless assholes know my name
I have become known to society's outcasts due to my financial struggles
Now it's "urban flight" or a cell for the night
The only options left for me are to leave my current situation or end up in jail
You know it's all the same
Either way, the outcome is not ideal
One can tell themselves about when going gets rough
In difficult times, one can rely on determination to overcome obstacles
Determination just ain't enough
However, determination alone is not always sufficient to succeed
When your overtime defines your life
When you work overtime just to survive, your job starts to define your entire life
This American me
This is the reality for many Americans
Tradition tells us home own
Traditionally, owning a home was seen as the American dream
But the time card's saying no go
However, the current economic situation makes it difficult for many to buy homes
Now the suits are talking foreclose
Now, even people who thought they could buy homes are facing foreclosure
From sea to shining sea
This is happening throughout the entire country
Time was a war time economy
In the past, the economy improved during times of war
Was a silver lining to tragedy
However, even war is not causing an economic upturn in today's reality
But even those with homes are now those alone
Even people who were able to buy homes are struggling and feeling lonely in their new reality
In the land of the free
Despite being in the "land of the free", many Americans are struggling to make ends meet
I asked for nothing and I got it in spades
Despite working hard and not asking for much, I am still struggling
Worked for a living and I earned a cage
Despite working hard to support myself, I feel trapped by my financial situation
They say I look old for my age
The stress of my financial struggles is taking a toll on me
This American me
This is the reality for many Americans
This American me
This is the reality for many Americans
This American me
This is the reality for many Americans
This American, this American, this American
The struggles I am facing are not just my own, but those of many other Americans
This American me
This is the reality for many Americans
This American, this American, this American
The struggles I am facing are not just my own, but those of many other Americans
This American me
This is the reality for many Americans
This American, this American, this American
The struggles I am facing are not just my own, but those of many other Americans
This American me
This is the reality for many Americans
Contributed by Elizabeth N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
chris schnick
D4 came to Green Bay back in the day and I missed them every time they played. What a great band!
Uros Badovinac
THIS AMERICAN MEME
Dhieen
Revolution!
benny
Fucking A