The title was inspired by the Joy Division EP record "An Ideal for Living". The opening line 'Libraries gave us power' was inspired by the legend above the entrance to a public library in Newport, near the band's home town of Blackwood in Wales: 'Knowledge is Power', whilst the phrase 'then work came and made us free' references the slogan 'Arbeit macht Frei' that featured above the gates of most of the Nazi concentration camps and which was earlier referenced by the band on "The Intense Humming of Evil" from The Holy Bible. It reached number two in the UK charts on 27 April 1996 and was the first in a run of five consecutive releases to be top ten hits.
The song also explores themes of class conflict and working class identity and solidarity, inspired by the band's strong socialist convictions. Its video included scenes of fox hunting and Royal Ascot to represent what the band saw as class privilege.
The CD included "Mr. Carbohydrate", "Dead Passive" and "Dead Trees and Traffic Islands", while the cassette included a live version of "Bright Eyes".
It was the first song written and released by the band following the mysterious disappearance of figurehead Richey James the previous year.
The song also made an appearance as the opening track on Forever Delayed, the band's greatest hits album released in November 2002.
The song is referenced in the song Slide Show (alongside Beck's Devils Haircut and Oasis' Wonderwall) on Travis's 1999 album The Man Who. "'Cause there is no design for life, There's no devil's haircut in my mind, There is not a wonderwall to climb to climb or step around"
In May 2007, NME magazine placed "A Design For Life" at number 30 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.
A Design for Life
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then work came and made us free
What price now
For a shallow piece of dignity
I wish I had a bottle
Right here in my dirty face
To wear the scars
We don't talk about love
We only wanna get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
I wish I had a bottle
Right here in my pretty face
To wear the scars
To show from where I came
We don't talk about love
We only wanna get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
We don't talk about love
We only wanna get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end
A design for life
A design for life
A design for life
A design for
life
The opening line of "Libraries gave us power" sets the tone for the rest of the song. It suggests that access to knowledge and education are empowering, and that learning should be embraced. However, the following line "Then work came and made us free" is somewhat contradictory, implying that work has liberated people from poverty and given them a sense of purpose. The subsequent lines "What price now for a shallow piece of dignity" suggest that despite the material comfort work has provided, there is a sense of emptiness and lack of fulfillment in this lifestyle.
The repeated lines "We don't talk about love, we only wanna get drunk" could be interpreted as a commentary on society's prioritization of escapism and instant gratification over deeper emotions and genuine connections. The final repetition of "A design for life" feels like a call to action, urging listeners to find purpose and meaning in their lives beyond conforming to societal norms and expectations.
Overall, "A Design for Life" seems to criticize the societal structures that prioritize material success over personal fulfillment and genuine relationships. It encourages listeners to seek out deeper meaning and to use education and knowledge as a means of empowerment.
Line by Line Meaning
Libraries gave us power
Access to knowledge and reading materials provides individuals with the ability to empower themselves and expand their understanding of the world.
Then work came and made us free
In working, we are able to earn money, gain independence, and have the freedom to make our own choices.
What price now
What cost are we paying currently?
For a shallow piece of dignity
What are we giving up in order to maintain a superficial sense of self-worth?
I wish I had a bottle
The artist desires to have a way to numb their pain and escape reality.
Right here in my dirty face
Emphasizing the singer's feelings of worthlessness and despair.
To wear the scars
The singer wants physical scars to serve as a reminder of their struggles and hardships.
To show from where I came
The scars would be a visible symbol of the artist's past experiences and background.
We don't talk about love
The importance of emotional connection and intimacy is often ignored or rejected by society.
We only wanna get drunk
People often turn to alcohol as a means of temporary escape from their problems and emotions.
And we are not allowed to spend
Society often restricts the lower classes from being able to enjoy luxury or material possessions.
As we are told that this is the end
The limitations placed on individuals can lead them to believe that they are unable to improve their situation or aspire to something greater.
A design for life
The concept of life being predetermined or crafted by external forces is explored.
A design for life
The repetition emphasizes the theme of predetermined destiny.
A design for life
The continued repetition highlights the idea that life is a product of external design rather than individual choice.
A design for life
The final repetition drives home the idea that society structures our lives and destinies for us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: James Bradfield, Sean Moore, Jones Nicholas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind