Don't Vote
Flash and the Pan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pack your bags and get off my post
Told you once, told you twice
Oo babe gotta pay the price
Don't take nothing but a sacrifice of soul
So if you can't stand chains honey, don't vote
And if you can't stand stains honey, don't vote
Wanna have your say, don't vote
Bye bye mamma, you pulled my blind
Took my money and took my time
Told you once, told you twice
Oo babe gotta pay the price
Don't take nothing but a sacrifice of soul
So if you can't stand the rules honey, don't vote
And if you don't like fools honey, don't vote
Wanna fly your kite
Gotta do it right, don't vote
Don't vote
Bye bye sugar, you filled my cup
Turned me over and hung me up
Told you once, told you twice
Oo babe gotta pay the price
Don't take nothing but a sacrifice of soul
So if you can't brown nose honey, don't vote
And if you can't touch your toes honey, don't vote
And if you take a shot
You might hit that spot, don't vote
Wanna fly your kite
Gotta do it right, don't vote
Don't vote
Don't vote
Don't vote
The lyrics to "Don't Vote" are somewhat cryptic, but the song seems to be a warning against blindly following authority without questioning or thinking for yourself. The repeated refrain of "if you can't stand" or "if you don't like" followed by "don't vote" suggests that the act of voting is only valuable if one is actively engaged and willing to take risks. The references to burnt toast, pulled blinds, and filled cups may be metaphorical depictions of various disappointments or betrayals. The final lines, "wanna fly your kite, gotta do it right, don't vote," suggest that individual freedom and creativity require a level of personal responsibility and awareness.
It is possible that the song was written as a commentary on the political climate of the time, which was marked by Cold War tensions and widespread distrust of authority figures. The "sacrifice of soul" that is necessary for change may refer to the personal cost of activism or social change. The song's lyrics are intentionally vague, leaving open the possibility for various interpretations.
Line by Line Meaning
Bye bye mamma, you burnt my toast
Goodbye mother, you burned my toast; I'm fed up with you
Pack your bags and get off my post
Leave my place immediately; I don't want you around me
Told you once, told you twice
I warned you already, multiple times
Oo babe gotta pay the price
There are consequences to your actions, my dear
Don't take nothing but a sacrifice of soul
It takes a lot of effort and commitment to make a change
So if you can't stand chains honey, don't vote
If you can't handle the limitations and obligations of democracy, then don't participate in it
And if you can't stand stains honey, don't vote
If you can't tolerate the flaws and imperfections of political candidates, then don't vote
Wanna have your way
If you want to impose your own agenda or interests on others
Wanna have your say, don't vote
Voting is not just about expressing your own views, but also about considering others and contributing to the common good
Bye bye mamma, you pulled my blind
Goodbye mother, you deceived me and hid the truth from me
Took my money and took my time
You stole from me both monetarily and temporally
So if you can't stand the rules honey, don't vote
If you can't follow the regulations and principles of democracy, then don't participate in it
And if you don't like fools honey, don't vote
If you can't tolerate or forgive the mistakes and shortcomings of politicians, then don't vote
Wanna fly your kite
If you want to pursue your own interests or passions
Gotta do it right, don't vote
Voting is not just about yourself; you need to be responsible and informed about the consequences of your vote
Bye bye sugar, you filled my cup
Goodbye sweetheart, you corrupted or poisoned me with your influence
Turned me over and hung me up
You deceived or betrayed me and left me helpless or vulnerable
So if you can't brown nose honey, don't vote
If you can't flatter or curry favor with politicians, then don't participate in politics
And if you can't touch your toes honey, don't vote
If you can't adapt or cooperate with others, then don't participate in democracy
And if you take a shot
And if you try to seize an opportunity or take a risk
You might hit that spot, don't vote
You might achieve your goal, but at what cost or consequence?
Wanna fly your kite
If you want to pursue your own interests or passions
Gotta do it right, don't vote
Voting is not just about yourself; you need to be responsible and informed about the consequences of your vote
Don't vote
If you don't understand or care about the significance and value of democracy, then don't participate in it
Don't vote
If you don't have the integrity or intention to use your vote wisely or sincerely, then don't participate in democracy
Don't vote
If you don't want to take responsibility for the future and well-being of your society, then don't participate in democracy
Contributed by Mila M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
G Rustan
What a sound man.. so fucking great
Jadwiga Halota
wow, thanks for the upload:)
progmeup
Apparently, they are being swapped occasionally (Lights in the Night/ Headlines)
progmeup
In fact, my Lights in the Night CD has the Headlines tracklist printed on the label :)