Product Placement
Francis Sage Lyrics

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Hook, Line, Shock Jock, Crackle
(This is paid for advertising
Free food for all)

Well it's a tangible death
And I can almost handle it
When it cancels my breath
Put your hand over my candle then rest

There's no pain in this fist release
Put my elbows on the window frame
Glass first against my cheeks
Everything I see is mine
I never look back
Couldn't ask the same of those I leave behind
The air bubbles rushin' towards the water surface
A clumsy stage hand makin' a grand exit
Caught in the curtains
A person should have pulled this rope long ago
'Fore the water hole froze over
I saw the snow
The best cue for rescue is a couple yanks
Press my luck, held my breath enough but then my stomach sank
Shoulda never been walkin' the plank
With some man's shoes without a oxygen tank or wetsuit
Destitute conditions leave fishermen victims
Of circumstance
But you don't need a hook for the worms to dance

Off to the bathroom to sniff another line (sniff another line)
There's a big party goin' on and you're not invited (you're not invited)
Now I'm just howlin' at the moon sippin' its shine (sippin' its shine)
There's a huge rock hurlin' through space won't you help me light it

I'm playin jump rope with my veins tonight
But you download but I pay the price
The DJ saved my life
Nothin can cut into my fun but the razor might

This song is brought to you courtesy
Of medicine prescriptions
Dead-again christians
Nineteen sixty eight
And be -boys on acid

And of course my utter and absolute
Obligation to never do anything bad... ever

Overall Meaning

In "Product Placement," Francis Sage uses vivid imagery to explore themes of addiction, consumerism, and self-destruction. The hook, "Hook, Line, Shock Jock, Crackle" highlights the manipulative nature of advertising, with brands promoting their products as solutions to our problems, causing us to become hooked, just like a fish on a line. Sage acknowledges the temporary comfort that comes with indulging in vices such as drugs or alcohol, but also recognizes the toll it takes on his life, comparing it to a tangible death that cancels his breath.

Throughout the song, Sage uses metaphorical language to paint a picture of his descent into addiction. He sees his reflection in a window, pressing his face against the glass, as if trying to escape himself. He describes feeling like a clumsy stagehand making a grand exit, caught in the curtains, unable to escape. He even likens himself to a fisherman who has become a victim of circumstance, struggling to survive in destitute conditions, but ultimately failing.

In the end, Sage seems resigned to his fate, acknowledging that he will likely continue down this self-destructive path, and that no one can save him but himself. He sarcastically thanks the various entities that have contributed to his decline, including the pharmaceutical industry, religious dogma, and cultural trends like acid-fueled be-bop. Ultimately, he is left with the bleak realization that he is utterly powerless in the face of his addiction.

Line by Line Meaning

Hook, Line, Shock Jock, Crackle
This is a paid advertisement where people will receive free food.

Well it's a tangible death
This choice has consequences that are physically evident.

And I can almost handle it
I am almost able to cope with this choice.

When it cancels my breath
When my ability to breathe is restricted or canceled out.

Put your hand over my candle then rest
You're contributing to my destruction and then are able to take a break from it.

There's no pain in this fist release
There's no pain in letting go of what's causing harm.

Put my elbows on the window frame
Resting my elbows on the window frame.

Glass first against my cheeks
Resting my cheeks on the window so that they touch the glass first.

Everything I see is mine
Everything in my view is my possession and I claim it.

I never look back
I don't dwell on the past and keep moving forward.

Couldn't ask the same of those I leave behind
I can't expect those I leave behind to do the same and not dwell on the past.

The air bubbles rushin' towards the water surface
Bubbles of air traveling towards the surface of the water.

A clumsy stage hand makin' a grand exit
An awkward person making a big exit.

Caught in the curtains
Getting stuck in obstacles or distractions.

A person should have pulled this rope long ago
Someone should have acted sooner and prevented this situation.

'Fore the water hole froze over
Before the water froze over.

I saw the snow
I witnessed the snowfall.

The best cue for rescue is a couple yanks
The quickest way to get rescued is with a few strong pulls or tugs.

Press my luck, held my breath enough but then my stomach sank
Pushed it too far and was then regretful when things went wrong.

Shoulda never been walkin' the plank
I shouldn't have taken this risk.

With some man's shoes without a oxygen tank or wetsuit
Taking risks without proper protection or preparation.

Destitute conditions leave fishermen victims
Poor living conditions make fishermen vulnerable to danger and harm.

Of circumstance
Due to what life has provided and not by choice.

But you don't need a hook for the worms to dance
Not everything needs persuasion or force for it to happen.

Off to the bathroom to sniff another line (sniff another line)
Going to the bathroom to consume another substance.

There's a big party goin' on and you're not invited (you're not invited)
There's a significant event taking place, but you're not part of it.

Now I'm just howlin' at the moon sippin' its shine (sippin' its shine)
Doing something irrational and unnatural while consuming something else of value.

There's a huge rock hurlin' through space won't you help me light it
There's something significant that needs attention and needs to be brought to attention.

I'm playin jump rope with my veins tonight
Engaging in an activity that could cause harm.

But you download but I pay the price
You enjoy the benefits without having to bear the consequences.

The DJ saved my life
The DJ played an important role in a memorable event or situation.

Nothin can cut into my fun but the razor might
There's nothing that could stop me from having fun, unless I harm myself.

This song is brought to you courtesy
This song was sponsored by.

Of medicine prescriptions
Of medical drugs.

Dead-again christians
A derogatory term for those who have found their faith again later in life.

Nineteen sixty eight
A specific year that had historical significance.

And be-boys on acid
Men that enjoy breakdancing and are under the influence of drugs.

And of course my utter and absolute
And of course, my full and complete.

Obligation to never do anything bad... ever
My sense of duty to never do anything immoral....ever.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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