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Hard Times
Hate Dept. Lyrics
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Free crutches for limps and pity
Peek through walls, crumbling corners
Stay here and wait for orders
Unify everyone
Slow decline, number one
Chain link garden, granted every pardon
Rolling higher with guns and marijuana
Anti-star waives a complementary ticket
To sold-out fuck-up panacea - fix it
Override, overrun
Slow decline, number one
Number one
Cheap date, refusing rice from her aggressor
Low stakes, preemptive strikes are an adventure
Hard times, shallow grave extravaganza
Horrified viewers, nodding off in their pajamas
Number one…
Unify everyone
Slow decline, number one
Override, overrun
Slow decline, number one
The song "Hard Times" by Hate Dept. is an interesting take on the destructive nature of urban life. The opening lines suggest that the city is overrun with fleas, making it unbearable to live in. The next line about "free crutches for limps and pity" suggests that the city is a sad and depressing place, where people are struggling to get by. The singer then talks about "peeking through walls" and "crumbling corners" which indicate the physical decay of urban life.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more and more chaotic. The singer talks about "chain link gardens" and "granted every pardon," suggesting that the city is lawless and corrupt. The mention of "guns and marijuana" further suggests the violent and drug-ridden nature of urban areas.
The chorus repeats the phrase "slow decline, number one" several times, which could be interpreted as a commentary on the inevitable downfall of urban life. The song ends with a vision of a shallow grave extravaganza and horrified viewers nodding off in their pajamas.
Overall, "Hard Times" is a powerful commentary on the challenges and dangers of living in the city. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of urban life, highlighting the poverty, crime, and decay that many people face on a daily basis.
Line by Line Meaning
Fleas, itchy, move out to the city
People who are restless and uncomfortable seek a change in their life by moving to a new place.
Free crutches for limps and pity
The government provides free handouts to people who are weak or in need.
Peek through walls, crumbling corners
People try to gain knowledge or secrets by spying or finding hidden information.
Stay here and wait for orders
People don't take any initiative and follow orders given to them.
Unify everyone
Bring people together for a common goal.
Slow decline, number one
Despite the slow decline and degradation, people think they are still number one.
Number one
A repeated reminder that people believe they are the best.
Chain link garden, granted every pardon
Even though people are enclosed, they are willing to forgive and forget easily.
Rolling higher with guns and marijuana
Some people rely on marijuana and violence to get them through their problems.
Anti-star waives a complementary ticket
A person who is against the popular culture still receives the benefits without any fuss.
To sold-out fuck-up panacea - fix it
To the mainstream solution that is not working well but is seen as the only possible solution.
Override, overrun
Overpowering and dominating everything without any resistance.
Cheap date, refusing rice from her aggressor
A woman who refuses to be controlled or dominated by men, even when it comes at a cost.
Low stakes, preemptive strikes are an adventure
People look for excitement and fun even in small, risk-less activities. They strike first in anticipation that something bad might happen later.
Hard times, shallow grave extravaganza
Times are tough and people are dying, yet they still indulge in lavish and frivolous activities.
Horrified viewers, nodding off in their pajamas
People are numb and unresponsive to the terrible events happening around them, even as they watch them from the safety of their homes.
Unify everyone
Bring people together for a common goal.
Slow decline, number one
Despite the slow decline and degradation, people think they are still number one.
Override, overrun
Overpowering and dominating everything without any resistance.
Slow decline, number one
Despite the slow decline and degradation, people think they are still number one.
Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.