Power Company
Eric Burdon Lyrics


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My daddy worked a lifetime, yeah
For the Power Company
Turning night into day, yeah
Yeah, for the Power Company
You know that he can still recall when the company was God,
Man was a slave
Throughout a war-torn strife,
My daddy held his lit electric light.
Power Company
They told him: 'join the union, lad, or we'll kick you in the ass'.
Power Company
I grew up with these words printed on my back
Power Company

Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦Power Company
Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦when will you be free?

I worked like a dog all day on the production line
This factory is a jail, every day of your life you know
You're doing time
Now I got a little car
And I can't afford the gas
The house is cold and draughty
And the kids grow up too fast
I walk around, no future, no past
Power Company

Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦Power Company
Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦when will you be free?

How this world keeps on turning every day is a mystery
My old man gets up each morning
And he goes to work each day at the Power Company
Yeah, he still does his little job and it isn't very hard
A computer to talk to instead of people he once knew
And the bosses at the top
They never seem to stop
Power Company

And we're singin'
Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦Power Company
Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦when will you be free?
Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦Power Company
Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦when will you be free?
Yeah, when will you be free from the Power Company? (Power Company)
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, when will you be free? (Power Company)
Ask yourself a question and look around you (Power Company)
You ask yourself a truth that you'll find out (Power Company)
And you'll never be free (from the Power Company)




Yeah, move your head (Power Company)
Move your soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eric Burdon's song "Power Company" are a reflection on the experience of working in a system that devalues the labor of the individual. The song is about the power dynamic between the employer and the employee, and how the former uses the latter as a tool for profit, with little regard for their well-being or autonomy. The song tells the story of two generations of workers - the singer's father, who worked hard for the power company and faced the harsh realities of joining a union, and the singer himself, who, despite his labors, struggles to make ends meet and to see a way forward.


The first verse of the song sets the tone for the narrative, with the singer reflecting on the work of his father, who "worked a lifetime" for the power company, "turning night into day." He remembers his father's loyalty to the company, which, at times, treated him as a "slave." The chorus of "Power Company" asks when "you will be free" from the power company, a question that is both rhetorical and real. The singer's dissatisfaction with his own work and the unfulfilled promise of the American Dream come through in the second verse of the song, in which he describes himself as "doing time" in a factory job that's "a jail."


The song "Power Company" addresses an issue that was at the forefront of American labor politics in the 1970s - the rising cost of living, stagnating wages, and the perceived betrayal of the working class by the capitalist system. The song speaks to a generation of people who felt that they were being squeezed by their employers and the government, and who saw their future prospects slowly dwindle. Through its stirring melody and poignant lyrics, "Power Company" expresses a sense of disillusionment and disappointment, coupled with a longing for something more.


Line by Line Meaning

My daddy worked a lifetime, yeah
My father dedicated his entire life to working for the Power Company.


For the Power Company
He worked for the organization called the Power Company.


Turning night into day, yeah
He worked to provide electricity and light to people even during the night.


Yeah, for the Power Company
All his hard work was in service of the Power Company.


You know that he can still recall when the company was God,
My father remembers a time when the Power Company was the most important entity in society.


Man was a slave
People were dependent on the Power Company and had no choice but to accept their authority.


Throughout a war-torn strife,
This happened during a period of war and conflict.


My daddy held his lit electric light.
Even during difficult times, my father continued to provide light to people using his electric light.


They told him: 'join the union, lad, or we'll kick you in the ass'.
The Power Company forced my father to join the union or else he would be punished.


I grew up with these words printed on my back
My father's experience with the Power Company affected me deeply as I was raised in this environment.


Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦Power Company
The Power Company has had a significant impact on my life.


Whoa, oh, oh, oh¦when will you be free?
I wonder when we will be able to escape the clutches of the Power Company.


I worked like a dog all day on the production line
I have experienced the same struggles as my father, working long hours on the production line.


This factory is a jail, every day of your life you know
Working in a factory feels like being imprisoned, and this feeling does not go away after a single day's work.


You're doing time
Working in a factory is like serving a sentence in prison.


Now I got a little car
Despite working hard, I am still struggling to make ends meet.


And I can't afford the gas
I can't even afford to put gas in my car.


The house is cold and draughty
My living conditions are poor and uncomfortable.


And the kids grow up too fast
My children are growing up too quickly because of the difficult circumstances we live in.


I walk around, no future, no past
My life feels stagnant, with no clear direction forward or looking back to the past.


How this world keeps on turning every day is a mystery
The world continues to move forward every day, which is hard to understand given the struggles and challenges we face.


My old man gets up each morning
My father continues to work hard each day for the Power Company.


And he goes to work each day at the Power Company
His job still involves working for the Power Company.


Yeah, he still does his little job and it isn't very hard
Despite his many years of service, my father's tasks at work have become relatively simple and easy.


A computer to talk to instead of people he once knew
He communicates with a computer at work instead of the people he used to work with.


And the bosses at the top
The higher-ups at the Power Company are in control.


They never seem to stop
Their power and influence never seem to wane.


Ask yourself a question and look around you (Power Company)
Take a moment to think critically about the state of society and how the Power Company is affecting us.


You ask yourself a truth that you'll find out (Power Company)
Reflect on your own experiences and come to your own conclusions about the truth of the situation.


And you'll never be free (from the Power Company)
It may be impossible to escape the influence of the Power Company.


Yeah, move your head (Power Company)
We need to stay alert and aware of the Power Company's actions and impact on our lives.


Move your soul
We also need to be emotionally invested and engaged in this fight for freedom.




Contributed by James E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

esther mendoza

La edad no importa si es una excelente vocalista que canta a todo pulmón

oldrvr

I’m about 3/4 though reading his book “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” What a interesting read. He’s had quite the life. So glad it’s still going on. It’s a happy, sometimes sad, fact filled busy life he’s led. It would take many people 10 lifetimes to have done the living that he has. Glad Marianna and Eric take such good care of each other.

Elisabeth Axelsson

I read this book in a day and one night so interesting,

oldrvr

@Elisabeth Axelsson I just read his first book titled “I used to be an Animal, but I’m alright now!” Another good read.

Elisabeth Axelsson

Oldrvr I have trid too get a coppy of a juse to be an Animal for a long time, but cant afford to buy it .

oldrvr

@Elisabeth Axelsson I confess I did pay more than I should have but not over $100. Good read though.

Beth H.

I have ordered both books and am waiting for their arrival. Thank you for the review! I look forward to reading both books.

2 More Replies...

Darla Tidwell

Just sing it Eric ! Love your voice ! ✌💓

Elisabeth Axelsson

Me too

kingshearer2

Eric is a true Walker legend.

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