Snake Oil
Entrain Lyrics
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Snake oil is what you're giving to me
Snakeskin shoes upon your feet
Walkin' around town talkin' sweet
Selling oil, selling snake oil
Briefcase full of diamond rings
Suicide Jack and pair of Kings
Well they're telling you this and selling you that
Trying to tell everybody just where it's at
In a field where the dust and smoke gets in your eyes
Snake Oil is what you're selling me
Snake Oil is what you're giving to me
Well it looks alright up on the main street
In the basement there's a greasy machine
Selling oil, selling snake oil
Well go buy your shares of the company
Big money comes from you and me
Selling oil, selling snake oil
While they're givin' you this, and givin' you that
Trying to tell everybody just where it's at
The smile is just a smokescreen for the lies
Snake Oil is what you're sellin me
Snake Oil is what you're giving to me
They may say the stuff is true
I know better and so do you
The Entrain song "Snake Oil" is a criticism of individuals who try to sell products or ideas that are ultimately fraudulent or ineffective, referred to as "snake oil." The lyrics suggest that the individuals who sell these products are often deceitful and manipulative, trying to convince people of their value even though they do not work as intended. The song is composed of two verses and a repeating chorus that emphasizes the snake oil that is being sold.
The first verse paints a picture of a salesman who wears snakeskin shoes and talks sweetly while carrying a briefcase full of diamond rings. This is contrasted against the reality that this person is selling snake oil, something that doesn't work and is ultimately worthless. The second verse describes the deceitful practices that these salespeople employ, trying to convince people of the efficacy of their product even when they know it doesn't work. The chorus emphasizes the snake oil that is being sold and the idea that those who sell it are ultimately trying to deceive people.
Overall, the song is a warning against falling for products or ideas that seem too good to be true. It suggests that individuals should be wary of those who try to manipulate them for their own gain and that they should seek out real solutions to their problems rather than relying on snake oil salesmen.
Line by Line Meaning
Snake oil is what your'e selling me
You're trying to sell me something that is completely useless and doesn't have any real value.
Snake oil is what you're giving to me
You're trying to convince me to believe something that is completely false and doesn't have any real substance.
Snakeskin shoes upon your feet
You're trying to impress people with your fancy appearance and style, which is just a façade to hide your true intentions.
Walkin' around town talkin' sweet
You're trying to charm people with your smooth talk and persuasive language to convince them to buy what you're selling.
Selling oil, selling snake oil
You're trying to make a profit by selling a product that is completely useless and doesn't have any real value or purpose.
Briefcase full of diamond rings
You're trying to show off your wealth and success, which is just a means of gaining people's trust to sell them something useless.
Suicide Jack and pair of Kings
You're trying to play a dangerous game of deceit, using cards as a metaphor for how you're manipulating people to believe in something that isn't true.
Well they're telling you this and selling you that
You're trying to influence people's beliefs and actions by telling them one thing, but then selling them something completely different.
Trying to tell everybody just where it's at
You're trying to convince people that your product is the real deal, and that you have all the answers to their problems.
In a field where the dust and smoke gets in your eyes
In this world of deception and manipulation, it's hard to see the truth and know what's really going on.
Well it looks alright up on the main street
Your product may seem good and impressive on the surface, but in reality it's just another form of useless snake oil.
In the basement there's a greasy machine
You're using shady and unethical methods to create your product, which is just another way of deceiving your customers.
Go buy your shares of the company
You're trying to convince people to invest in your product or company, which is just another way of making money off of them without providing any real value.
Big money comes from you and me
You're trying to make a profit off of people's gullibility and willingness to believe in something that isn't true or valuable.
The smile is just a smokescreen for the lies
You're trying to put on a charming and friendly façade to hide the fact that what you're selling is just another form of useless snake oil.
They may say the stuff is true
Others may try to defend your product, but in reality it's just false and worthless.
I know better and so do you
We both know that what you're selling is just another form of useless snake oil, and we won't be fooled by it.
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.