Relentlessly highbrow, Haines's dark-but-mischievous lyrics typically fall into three groups: musings on obscure Anglicana (The Mitford Sisters, Freddie Mills is Dead), bitter attacks on modern society, particularly the arts (The Death of Sarah Lucas, Christ) and twisted 1970s anti-nostalgia (Leeds United, Here's to Old England) - with the odd dash of self-aggrandisement thrown in for good measure.
Despite cultivating an image as a sinister misanthrope over the past fifteen years, Haines's live sets are notable for his self-deprecating humour and between-songs banter - and for their surprising brevity. But considering that most of his songs are well under three minutes, this doesn't necessarily mean a short set list.
Never Work
Luke Haines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La travail jamais, call a general strike in May
I invented a century today
I rest my case, I demand the right to
Never work
La travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Never work
La travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Or in the summer time, we'll call a general strike
For the right to never work
I rest today, I'll leave the century today
La travail jamais, I'm the Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Never work
Ma travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
(Never work) Because we're bone idle
(Never work) Or just can't be bothered
(Never work) Was I born with a silver
(Never work) Spoon in my mouth?
Never work
Never work
Drift through the cities
Scorch the earth
Follow the letter
Never work
La tremai
Ma travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
La travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Just say no
Just say no
Just say no
Just say no
And don't you ever work
The lyrics to Luke Haines's song Never Work convey a sense of idleness and a rejection of the traditional work ethic. The chorus, "Never work, call a general strike in May," expresses a desire to refuse the idea of work altogether. The singer suggests inventing a new century, one in which the right to never work is the norm, and he identifies himself as a resident of the fashionable Parisian district of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. The repeated refrain underscores the song's central message: it is desirable to avoid working altogether, for whatever reason and at all times.
The song appears to reject traditional ways of thinking about work, leisure, and societal expectations. The singer seems to suggest that work is not necessarily fulfilling, and that a life of leisure is a more desirable goal. He offers a kind of manifesto for a life free from the burden of employment, where one can "drift through the cities" and "scorch the earth" without any obligations or responsibilities.
In conclusion, Never Work is a rebellious song that challenges the idea that work is meaningful or necessary. Through its lyrics, the song suggests that a life of leisure and idleness is a desirable alternative, one in which people are free to pursue their own interests and passions.
Line by Line Meaning
Never work again
I don't want to work anymore, ever again
La travail jamais, call a general strike in May
French for 'never work', let's organize a general protest in May
I invented a century today
I came up with a revolutionary idea today
I rest my case, I demand the right to
I made my point, I want the freedom to
Never work
I refuse to work
La travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
French for 'never work', asserting my identity in a Parisian neighborhood
Never work in May
We'll organize a strike even in May, traditionally a month of labor celebration
Or in the summer time, we'll call a general strike
We won't surrender in summer either, we'll keep the protest going
For the right to never work
Our objective is to establish the right to refuse work
I rest today, I'll leave the century today
I retire from this era I changed with my brilliant idea
Ma travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
A variation of 'never work', underlining my attachment to the cultural domain
Because we're bone idle
We don't feel like doing anything
Or just can't be bothered
We lack the motivation to do anything
Was I born with a silver
Did I inherit a fortune
Spoon in my mouth?
At birth, did I become instantly wealthy?
Never work
It's a motto we firmly believe in
Drift through the cities
We roam in urban areas without any particular activity
Scorch the earth
We leave a trail of destruction behind us, without remorse or plan
Follow the letter
We obey rules with a slavish, passive attitude
Just say no
A message of defiance and resistance
And don't you ever work
An emphatic call to avoid any type of job
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LUKE MICHAEL HAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Somebloke
Absolutely beautiful. Let us make this the new national anthem for the UK.
Treading Lemming
My favorite Luke Haines work. I don't know that he has ever made a dollar from music but, I would trade places with him without hesitation....and I'd be sacrificing MUCH better hair!
Loreac
Me encantó, felicidades.
fred Ramone
I want one like this for France as well!
fred Ramone
Yes! Haines IS the Man!
iAkis
Never work again
La travail jamais, call a general strike in May
I invented a century today
I rest my case, I demand the right to
Never work
La travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Never work
La travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Never work in May
Or in the summer time, we'll call a general strike
For the right to never work
I rest today, I'll leave the century today
La travail jamais, I'm the Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Never work
Ma travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
(Never work) Because we're bone idle
(Never work) Or just can't be bothered
(Never work) Was I born with a silver
(Never work) Spoon in my mouth?
Never work
Never work
Drift through the cities
Scorch the earth
Follow the letter
Never work
La tremai
Ma travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
La travail jamais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Just say no
Just say no
Just say no
Just say no
And don't you ever work
Manonthemoon
La travail jamais doesn't mean anything. It is Ne travaillez jamais
Glenn Holmes
genius
NickJG
What's this? Popular music made by someone with a brain?
Manonthemoon
Exactly