A collaboration of anticon and cLOUDDEAD singer, lyricist, rapper producer … Read Full Bio ↴A collaboration of anticon and cLOUDDEAD singer, lyricist, rapper producer Why? (aka Yoni Wolf) and singer, turntabalist, guitarist Andrew Broder, aka Fog released in 2003 via Lex Records.

Combining elements of Rap, Folk and Indie, the two men have created a superb thinking man's melodic hip hop record. Songs range from the happy pop like chorus of '21st Century Pop Song' and the minimal sadness of 'Lightning Bolts and Man Hands'.

America Too
Hymie's Basement Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All american male product shelf-life agony,
Masturbate your birthday party...
If you're lonely, get a lobotomy.
(props to ornette coleman
For trying to castrate himself.
Males of the world, you are despicable).

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hymie's Basement's song America Too convey a strong sense of criticism towards the American lifestyle and cultural norms. These lyrics in particular delve into the negative effects of consumerism on American men, who are reduced to mere products with limited shelf-life. The use of the phrase "masturbate your birthday party" suggests a sense of isolation and loneliness, as if one's birthday celebration is nothing more than a self-serving pleasure. This is further accentuated by the line "If you're lonely, get a lobotomy" suggesting a drastic and insane solution to one's loneliness.

Additionally, the lyrics take a dig at the male patriarchy and the oppressive society it perpetuates. Ornette Coleman, a well-known American jazz saxophonist, is mentioned in the song for attempting to castrate himself. This line calls out the toxic masculinity prevalent in society that often leads to extreme measures being taken by men.

Overall, the lyrics of the song America Too highlight the darker aspects of the American way of life and the negative impact it has on individuals, particularly men.

Line by Line Meaning

All american male product shelf-life agony,
The pain of conforming to American masculinity is like the expiration date of a product.

Masturbate your birthday party...
Indulge in self-gratification to ease the loneliness of being praised once a year on your birthday.

If you're lonely, get a lobotomy.
If you suffer from loneliness, resort to a surgical procedure that removes a part of your brain to ease mental suffering.

(props to ornette coleman
Acknowledging Ornette Coleman, a jazz musician who attempted to remove his testicles in an act of rebellion against the constructs of masculinity.

For trying to castrate himself.
Coleman's attempts at self-castration is symbolically reflective of the toxic nature of modern masculinity.

Males of the world, you are despicable).
This poignant insult speaks to the disgust felt by the singer towards the men of the world for perpetuating harmful, regressive beliefs and behaviors associated with masculinity.

Contributed by Sadie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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