After adding former Aliens guitarist and keyboard player Geoffrey Stapleton and Adelaide born guitarist Robert James, "Ganggajang" became their self titled debut album. With sales in excess of 120,000, it spawned the hit singles "Gimme Some Lovin", "House of Cards", "Giver of Life", "The Bigger They Are" and what some regard as the unofficial Australian national anthem - "Sounds of Then (This is Australia)".
A second album, "GANGAGAIN" was completed in 1987 with the band members going on to pursue individual projects.
In 1991, the band reformed (without Kayellen and Marilyn, who had gone on to successful careers in the film industry), and took to the road for one brief tour.
The audience response was so overwhelming it encouraged the band to record the 3rd album "Lingo" which was released in 1994.
Ganggajang continue to perform across Australia and the world and in February 2001 they completed their third tour of Brazil, performing to enormous crowds .
October 2002 saw the release of the long awaited fourth album, "Oceans and Deserts".
American Money
GANGgajang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Says the man with the carnation in his lapel,
"I didn't know it worked this way
I thought every dog had his day"
And he'd believed in the dream
He'd waited on every corner
But now forsaken he explains
It was American money
I tell you it made him what he is today
It was American money
He imagined stuffing pictures of Washington
In the pocket of his raincoat
"So where has my family gone to?"
Says the man
From the fortieth floor of his hotel
Well everybody has to pay
But maybe it's in different ways
'Cause he'd believed in the dream
Why he'd met it on every corner
But he never could explain
What could made a man lose his sense of decency
It was American money
I tell you it made him what he is today
It was American money
So don't underestimate the power of
The dollar in your pocket
American money
And there's pictures of Washington
Falling from his pockets
Now they got guns in outer space
And nobody's going to win that race
'Cause when there's nowhere left to hide
You won't be taking sides
Though you believed in the dream
And it was waiting on every corner
But now it's coming down around you
Like bankers jumping from the windows of Wall Street
American money
I tell you it made us what we are today
It was American money
So don't underestimate the power
Of the dollar in your pocket
American money
I tell you, made us what we are today
It was American money
We'd imagined stuffing pictures of Washington
In the pockets of our raincoats
The lyrics of the song "American Money" by GANGgajang delve into the themes of disillusionment and greed. The song is about a man who has achieved success in life through hard work and determination, but upon reflection, he realizes that it was not his values or beliefs that made him successful, but rather his lust for American money. The lyrics of the chorus repeat the statement "It was American money, I tell you, that made him what he is today," emphasizing the power of money and how it can shape someone's life choices and priorities.
The man in the song also reflects on his lost sense of decency, wondering how he had become so consumed by money and material wealth. He questions where his family has gone and acknowledges that everyone must pay a price for success, but perhaps in different ways. The second verse touches on the idea that even the American dream can be corrupted by a single-minded pursuit of money, as the man had encountered it on every corner but never considered the cost.
The final verse shifts to a more global theme, referencing the idea of a militaristic space race and the futility of taking sides. The imagery of bankers jumping from Wall Street windows underscores the fallacy of unchecked greed and the fragility of the American economy. Ultimately, the song warns against underestimating the power of money and urges listeners to be mindful of their values and priorities in the pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this what my life amounts to?
A man questions the significance of his life.
Says the man with the carnation in his lapel,
The man being referred to is wearing a carnation on his blazer.
"I didn't know it worked this way
I thought every dog had his day"
The man did not expect his life to turn out this way, as he believed in the idea that everyone gets their chance to succeed.
And he'd believed in the dream
He'd waited on every corner
But now forsaken he explains
It wasn't the temptation of a woman
The man believed in the concept of the American Dream and worked hard to succeed, but is now disillusioned and claims that it was not a desire for a woman that caused his downfall.
It was American money
I tell you it made him what he is today
It was American money
He imagined stuffing pictures of Washington
In the pocket of his raincoat
The man attributes his success and ultimate downfall to the concept of American money and admits to picturing himself with a pocket full of dollar bills.
"So where has my family gone to?"
Says the man
From the fortieth floor of his hotel
Well everybody has to pay
But maybe it's in different ways
The man wonders where his family is while acknowledging that everyone pays a price for their success in different ways.
'Cause he'd believed in the dream
Why he'd met it on every corner
But he never could explain
What could made a man lose his sense of decency
The man continues to reflect on his belief in the American Dream but cannot understand how it led him to abandon his morals.
And there's pictures of Washington
Falling from his pockets
The man's obsession with money has caused him to lose some of it, with dollar bills falling from his pocket.
"Now they got guns in outer space
And nobody's going to win that race
'Cause when there's nowhere left to hide
You won't be taking sides"
The song takes a turn to discuss the destructive nature of war and how it impacts everyone.
But now it's coming down around you
Like bankers jumping from the windows of Wall Street
The collapse of society is being compared to the collapse of the financial system and the famous image of bankers jumping from the windows of Wall Street.
American money
I tell you it made us what we are today
It was American money
We'd imagined stuffing pictures of Washington
In the pockets of our raincoats
The song concludes with a chorus repeating the belief that American money is what made society into what it is and further imagery of dollar bills in pockets.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEOFFREY STAPLETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
No Turbo
i thought every dog has his day, Well everybody has to pay
But maybe it's in different ways !!
Luciano Figueiredo
Maravilhosa😻😻😻😻
Carlos Henrique Martins Porto
Esse som tocava direto na extinta rádio fluminense no rj
Kate
Unreal song. Not as well known as most of the others but always been one of my favourites. Loving it !!!!!!!!!
Carlos Guimaraes
the most 'brazilian' aussie band ever. Cheers from SP.
mmmhwww
This song came to mind after watching a doco called Fiat Empire: Why the Fed... Great Aussie band, up with the Triffids.
Adrian Small
GREAT WORDS, GREAT SONG Â Â WELL DONE GEOFF.
Robbie James - GANGgajang
To find out more about GANGgajang - where and when they're playing etc jump on board their official facebook page (ganggajang-official - can't post the link!) and make sure you hit LIKE. See you there!