Peyroux started singing at the age of fifteen, when she discovered street musicians in the Latin Quarter in Paris. She joined a group called the Riverboat Shufflers, first passing round the hat, and then singing. At sixteen she joined the The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band, spending two years touring Europe performing songs by the likes of Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and others, which provided the basis for her first album, Dreamland.
Dreamland was released in 1996, and gained widespread attention. Time called it "the most exciting, involving vocal performance by a new singer this year". Dreamland, is a brilliant recording, as Peyroux's distinctive voice is not hindered by overly intricate arrangements. Most of the accompaniment on the record is light and sparse, the way it should be for a singer with such a unique voice. Peyroux soon found herself opening for Sarah McLachlan and Cesária Évora, and made appearances at jazz festivals and on the Lilith Fair tour.
In May 2002 she joined multi-instrumentalist William Galison, and together they appeared at such venues as the Bottom Line, Joe's Pub, and the Tin Angel. In 2003 the duo released a seven-song EP entitled Got You on My Mind, which they sold at shows and online. Got You on My Mind was re-released by William Galison in August 2004; the original EP was expanded by the addition of four tracks by Gallison.
Peyroux released her own sophomore effort, Careless Love, in September 2004. The album received generally positive reviews.
Her new album, Half the Perfect World, was released on September 12, 2006. She collaborated with several artists, including Jesse Harris, Walter Becker, Larry Klein (who also produced the album), and K.d. lang, with whom Peyroux duets on a cover of the Joni Mitchell song, "River".
On July 12, 2007, she was awarded Best International Jazz Artist at the BBC Jazz Awards.
The Brand New Deal
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the unicorns play in the fields
And your Daddy drives slow with his Cadillac soul
His big strong hands on the wheel
And life is a dream of serene machines that all seem to care how you feel
But then you grow up and it's never enough
And money's just something to steal
It's every man for himself so grab the wealth
It's a brand new deal
Then you learn it in school between the lies and the rules
The fairy tales and the charades
They must think you're a fool you know none of it's true
It's all a rigged game we play
And the banks are thieves with infinite greed and power is the coin you pay
Then countries are done it's just money and guns
And cocaine and hookers for days
It's every man for himself so grab the wealth
Feel the poor under your heel
In the brand new deal
You know the law's on sale when you're too big to fail
And every congressman comes with a price
And the streets are a jail for the weak and the frail — a predator's paradise
Yes we all know how the cold wind blows and cuts like the blade of a knife
It's a zero sum game you gotta learn how to play
Learn how to load the dice
It's every man for himself so grab the wealth
Feel the poor under your heel
In the brand new deal
Yes it's
Commodification
Consumerization
Deregulation
Privatization
Objectification
Sexualization
Rationalization
Overcompensation
Disinformation
Discrimination
Under-education
De facto segregation
Homogenization
Criminalization
Desensitization
Mass incarceration
The lyrics of "The Brand New Deal" by Madeleine Peyroux paint a vivid picture of the disillusionment and harsh realities that come with growing up and navigating through life. The song starts off with a nostalgic and idyllic image of youth, where everything seems carefree and magical, symbolized by unicorns playing in the fields and a loving father figure driving a Cadillac with a sense of security and protection. It conveys a sense of innocence and simplicity that is often associated with childhood.
However, as the song progresses, the tone shifts dramatically to reveal the darker truths of the world. The lyrics suggest that as one matures and enters adulthood, the initial innocence and simplicity give way to a harsh reality where money becomes a driving force, leading to greed and a ruthless pursuit of wealth. The lyrics highlight the cutthroat nature of society, where individuals are pitted against each other in a relentless pursuit of material success, leaving the less fortunate to suffer at the hands of the privileged.
The song also critiques the education system for perpetuating lies and manipulation, presenting a distorted view of the world that serves those in power. It exposes the corrupt nature of institutions, such as banks and governments, portraying them as entities driven by greed and deceit. The lyrics reveal a dark and cynical perspective on the world, where power, money, and influence dictate the course of society, leaving the vulnerable to fend for themselves in a predatory environment.
The final section of the song delves into a list of societal issues and injustices, touching on themes of commodification, deregulation, privatization, objectification, and discrimination, among others. These words serve as a stark commentary on the pervasive inequalities and injustices that exist in the world, highlighting the systemic flaws and prejudices that continue to shape society. Overall, the lyrics of "The Brand New Deal" offer a critical and sobering reflection on the harsh realities of the modern world, urging listeners to confront the darker aspects of society and strive for a more just and equitable future.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, it's fun when you're young beneath an innocent sun
Enjoying life innocence and carefreeness as a child
And the unicorns play in the fields
Imaginary and happy moments that don't exist in reality
And your Daddy drives slow with his Cadillac soul
Fatherly protection and guidance with luxury and elegance
His big strong hands on the wheel
A sense of safety and reliability from a father figure
And life is a dream of serene machines that all seem to care how you feel
An illusion where everything and everyone is kind and comforting
But then you grow up and it's never enough
The harsh reality of adulthood where satisfaction is elusive
And money's just something to steal
Money becomes a measure of power and greed
It's every man for himself so grab the wealth
A competitive world where selfishness prevails
Feel the poor under your heel
Exploitation and disregard for the less fortunate
It's a brand new deal
A cynical outlook on the new reality of life
Then you learn it in school between the lies and the rules
Formal education reveals the dishonesty and constraint
The fairy tales and the charades
Deception and pretense taught as truths
They must think you're a fool you know none of it's true
Realizing the deception and manipulation in the education system
And the banks are thieves with infinite greed
Corruption and exploitation rampant in financial institutions
Then countries are done it's just money and guns
Politics reduced to money and violence
And cocaine and hookers for days
Indulgence and debauchery in the pursuit of power
You know the law's on sale when you're too big to fail
Legal system favors the wealthy and powerful
And every congressman comes with a price
Political corruption and influence peddling
And the streets are a jail for the weak and the frail
Society harsh and unforgiving towards the vulnerable
A predator's paradise
Exploitation and abuse thrive in this environment
It's a zero sum game you gotta learn how to play
Life is a competition where gain for one means loss for another
Learn how to load the dice
Be savvy and manipulate situations to your advantage
Commodification
Turning everything into a commodity for profit
Consumerization
Focusing on consumption and materialism
Deregulation
Removing restrictions and oversight for financial gain
Privatization
Handing control over to private entities for profit
Objectification
Treating people as objects for personal gain
Sexualization
Using sexuality to manipulate or exploit others
Rationalization
Justifying immoral actions or decisions
Overcompensation
Overreacting to insecurities or failures
Disinformation
Spreading false information for personal gain
Discrimination
Unfair treatment based on characteristics or beliefs
Under-education
Lack of proper education and knowledge
De facto segregation
Separation based on socioeconomic factors
Homogenization
Forcing conformity and uniformity
Criminalization
Turning minor offenses into serious crimes
Desensitization
Becoming numb to violence or suffering
Mass incarceration
High levels of imprisonment as a societal response
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Madeleine Peyroux
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luke Siragusa
A superbly written and devastating song. The smooth vocals and understated jazz groove lull while the lyric's sharp truths cut to the core. Well done.
F TW
Agreed ! Great song !