The bass player of the band, Derek Birkett went on to form the One Little Indian record label. Three-quarters of the original line-up (Colin Latter - vocals, Kev Hunter - guitar, Martin Wilson - drums) reformed in 2007 with replacement bassist Ian Glasper (ex-Decadence Within) to play support to former Crass vocalist Steve Ignorant at London's Shepherds Bush Empire. After three subsequent gigs in 2008 the band decided not to continue although a live DVD + CD is due out in 2009.
Progress
Flux of Pink Indians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It tries to kill
Me
You don't want these trees
You only want towns and cities
You don't want me
'cause I oppose them
All i want to do is breathe
You want to devastate
Homes that aren't yours
I don't want your progress
It tries to kill
Me
I don't want your progress
It pretends that it wants me
It doesn't want me for myself
It only wants my money
This is just a wood to you
But this is my home
It may not resemble your house
So you're right and I'm wrong
I don't want your progress
It tries to kill
Me
Me
You
We
I don't want your progress
It tries to kill
Me
The song "Progress" by Flux of Pink Indians is a protest song that criticizes the notion of progress. The opening line "I don't want your progress, it tries to kill me" sets the tone for the entire song. The band is clearly against progress, at least in its current form. The following lines slowly build on this idea, with the lyricist juxtaposing progress against the environment, homes, and people's lives. They argue that while progress might be important to some, it often comes at a cost to the environment and people's wellbeing. The second verse continues the theme of environmental destruction as the lyricist laments the destruction of trees for more towns and cities. They then switch back to describing how progress threatens people's homes and lives.
In the last verse, the lyricist turns their attention to capitalism and how the pursuit of progress is often driven by profits. They critique the idea that progress wants you for yourself but only wants your money. They then argue that progress destroys that which is one's home and questions the notion of private property, concluding with the assertion that progress tries to kill us all.
Overall, "Progress" is a powerful protest song that critiques the modern push towards constant growth and development at all costs. The lyrics are straightforward, but the message is deep and impactful. The song provides a sobering reflection on how progress has its limits and warns us of the consequences of chasing after it without regard for the environment and people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want your progress
The progress that you offer is something that I reject.
It tries to kill
This progress is not harmless, its expansion is deadly.
Me
I am the one suffering from this so-called progress.
You don't want these trees
You do not value the natural world as much as you care about urbanization.
You only want towns and cities
Your pursuit for progress is directed towards the increased growth of concrete jungles rather than the conservation of natural landscapes.
You don't want me
I am an obstacle in your path because my stance is to oppose your progress.
'cause I oppose them
My ideologies run opposite to those of the ones who hustle for development.
You want me to leave
You want me to abandon my home ground as it does not contribute to your vision of progress.
All I want to do is breathe
Living in a place that is free of toxic pollution is my basic human right that should not be snatched under the name of advancement.
You want to devastate
You have no regard towards the impact that your progress can have on the existing habitats.
Homes that aren't yours
The place that you want to desolate may not belong to you, but it is someone's abode.
It pretends that it wants me
The progress that you offer is a facade, and it is only interested in acquiring wealth from me without caring about my wellbeing.
It doesn't want me for myself
The progress that you offer is not interested in knowing me or my identity and values.
It only wants my money
The progress that you offer is only a way for you to extort my hard-earned money.
This is just the wood for you
The landscape you plan to destroy is just a physical entity for you without any emotional attachment.
But this is my home
This place that you want to demolish is my living ground where I have spent my life.
It may not resemble your house
I may have a different way of living that does not align with your idea of a perfect household.
So you're right and I'm wrong
You believe that your idea of progress is right, but it is not true in my case.
We
The effects of your progress do not only affect me but the entire community at large.
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Anarchidi
I don't want your progress
It tries to kill
Me
You don't want these trees
You only want towns and cities
You don't want me
'cause I oppose them
You want me to leave
All i want to do is breathe
You want to devastate
Homes that aren't yours
I don't want your progress
It tries to kill
Me
I don't want your progress
It pretends that it wants me
It doesn't want me for myself
It only wants my money
This is just a wood to you
But this is my home
It may not resemble your house
So you're right and I'm wrong
I don't want your progress
It tries to kill
Me
Me
You
We
I don't want your progress
It tries to kill
Me
@ohfoolishworkerbee
LOVE this band.
@reedjones7300
love from 2021
@thefuzzgroove
great song !! so true !
@neilphillips162
Couldn't agree more
@davehann8178
Love the feedback at the start
@pascalgerydannydesplancke123
Love this song i will go back live in the jungle and fuck myself
@colinrossiter5719
i dont wont your progres, is what we are going through now called progress, i think not ,agenda 2030 more like we all know this 40 years ago, and hear we are now , how poignant....