MDC (Millions of Dead Cops) is an American hardcore punk band formed in Aus… Read Full Bio ↴MDC (Millions of Dead Cops) is an American hardcore punk band formed in Austin, Texas in 1979. The band was subsequently based in San Francisco, California, and are currently based in Portland, Oregon. Originally formed as The Stains before changing their name, the band also changed their name to a different initialism of MDC with every new record released. The band is known for its radical left-wing political views. MDC released material via ex-Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra's independent record label Alternative Tentacles. In the 1990s, vocalist Dave Dictor published editorials for the internationally distributed fanzine Maximumrocknroll.

Selected discography:
Millions of Dead Cops (1982)
Smoke Signals (1986)
This Blood's for You (1987)
Metal Devil Cokes (1989)
Hey Cop! If I Had A Face Like Yours... (1991)
Shades of Brown (1993)
Magnus Dominus Corpus (2004)
Mein Trumpf (2017)

Current lineup
Dave Dictor - vocals (1979-present)
Russ Kalita - guitar (2008–present)
Barry Ward - guitar (2017-present)
Mike Smith - bass (2007–present)

Business on Parade
MDC Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We're here to warn you

They're gonna say shut up and buy

We're here to warn you

They're gonna say buy or die

Business is on parade

Corporate scam charade

Business is on parade

Corporate scam charade

Crumbs for the poor

Rich man's profits soar

Government by the rich

Poor man's life a bitch

Don't believe what the

politicians do

Don't believe a word they say

All they wanna do is fuck you

Get fat on their pay

Overall Meaning

The song "Business on Parade" by MDC (Millions of Dead Cops) is a scathing critique of the corrupt and exploitative nature of modern capitalism. The lyrics begin with a warning to the listener that the powers that be will try to silence any dissent and force people to submit to their demands to consume and buy their products. The chorus repeats the phrase "Business is on parade, Corporate scam charade," emphasizing that the entire system is a fraudulent performance meant to deceive and exploit the working class.

The lyrics go on to highlight the stark inequalities of modern society, with "crumbs for the poor" while "rich man's profits soar" and the government is controlled by those who enrich themselves at the expense of the poor, who are left to struggle and suffer. The refrain "Don't believe what the politicians do, Don't believe a word they say" underscores the notion that those in power will say anything to maintain their control, but ultimately, they are only interested in enriching themselves and using their positions to further their own interests.

Line by Line Meaning

We're here to warn you
We have arrived to impart caution and enlighten you of an impending danger

They're gonna say shut up and buy
The authorities will command silence and compliance, coercing you to purchase without any opposition

We're here to warn you
We reiterate our purpose to advise you of the impending danger

They're gonna say buy or die
The authorities will use fear tactics, coercing you to buy their products or face dire consequences

Business is on parade
Commerce is being showcased and celebrated

Corporate scam charade
Corporations are engaging in deceitful practices while pretending to exhibit transparency

Business is on parade
Commerce is being celebrated once again

Corporate scam charade
Corporations continue to deceive the public while putting on a facade of legitimacy

Crumbs for the poor
Only meager scraps are given to those in need

Rich man's profits soar
The wealthy are thriving and profiting excessively

Government by the rich
The ruling class comprises of the affluent