From Attack of the Grey Lantern
Released Febr… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Paul Draper.
From Attack of the Grey Lantern
Released February 1997.
Released in edited form as a single in May 1997.
A live performance of the song was released as a 7" for the fanclub to celebrate the Six tour and Christmas 1998. The fanclub live version of the song appears on disc 3 of the band's compilation Kleptomania.
Taxloss was farmed out to remixers for a shot at club play.
List of remixes
John '00' Fleming Mix
Slam Mix - the mix only appears on 12" promos. The mix is replaced with the album version on the commercial 12"
L.Mex Mix (aka Lisa Marie Experience Remix)
Gaudi Mix
Taxloss
Mansun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Taxloss lover if the truth be told
Taxloss lover still lives in the war
Taxloss lover touching 74
Ah, come back to me
We want your money, taxloss
Ah, come back to me
We want your money, taxloss
We give you money 'cos our assets are fluid yeah
We'll sell you down the river
Just remember that we said we'd deliver you
Sign on the line and we'll give you the money
And then you'll be mine and we'll fly somewhere sunny
And you'll quibble that our drivel seems unsatifactory
You're a taxloss, come back to me
We want your money, taxloss
He'll be your taxloss lover and his name is Bert
Your taxloss lover and he's always a flirt
Your taxloss lover's into kinky sex
Your taxloss lover wears a cracking dress
Ah, come back to me
We want your money, taxloss
Ah, come back to me
We want your money, taxloss
We think you are stupid
We give you money 'cos our assets are fluid yeah
We'll sell you down the river
And just remember that we said we'd deliver you
Sign on the line and we'll give you the money
And then you'll be mine and we'll fly somewhere sunny You'll quibble that our drivel seems unsatifactory
We're a taxloss, come back to me
We want your money, taxloss
We think you are stupid
We give you money 'cos our assets are fluid yeah
We'll sell you down the river
Just remember that we said we'd deliver you
Sign on the line and we'll give you the money
And then you'll be mine and we'll fly somewhere sunny
And you'll quibble that our drivel seems unsatifactory
A taxloss, come back to me
We want your money, taxloss
Ooh, oh yeah Ooh, oh yeah
Ooh, oh yeah Ooh, oh yeah
Ooh, oh yeah Ooh, oh yeah
Ooh, oh yeah Ooh, oh yeah
Taxloss, mod rock, junk pop, chart hop
Mop top, swap shop, who'd you nick your cliche off
The lyrics to the song 'Taxloss' by Mansun describe a man from Liverpool who is referred to as a 'taxloss lover'. The term 'taxloss' refers to a business or individual who has incurred a financial loss, which can be offset against their taxable income, thereby reducing the amount of tax they need to pay. The song seems to be calling out these taxloss lovers who are seen as foolish and easily taken advantage of by the wealthy elite. The lyrics suggest that these individuals are promised money and a lavish lifestyle, only to be manipulated and used by those who hold the power and wealth.
The song also touches on themes of sexuality and gender identity, with references made to the taxloss lover wearing a dress and being into kinky sex. The gender of the taxloss lover is left deliberately unclear, perhaps suggesting the fluidity and ambiguity surrounding identity and power dynamics.
The lyrics are somewhat satirical and critical of the capitalist system, highlighting the ways in which those in power exploit and take advantage of those who are vulnerable or struggling. The repeated refrain of 'we want your money, taxloss' seems to be an indictment of the greed and corruption that underpins many aspects of our society.
Line by Line Meaning
He'll be your taxloss lover from Liverpool
A person who can be your lover but also a means to avoid paying taxes from Liverpool
Taxloss lover if the truth be told
A lover who is also a means to avoid paying taxes and this fact is true
Taxloss lover still lives in the war
A lover who still lives in a state of struggle due to the tax avoidance scheme used by the person.
Taxloss lover touching 74
The person's age is 74 and still indulging in tax avoidance schemes to save money.
Ah, come back to me
The person is asking someone who has stopped indulging in tax avoidance to come back to it.
We want your money, taxloss
The person is asking for the money that is saved by avoiding taxes
We think you are stupid
The person considers individuals paying taxes as foolish
We give you money 'cos our assets are fluid yeah
The person claims to have fluid assets and can give money to the tax avoiders in return for helping avoid tax
We'll sell you down the river
The person will abandon the tax avoiders if required in order to avoid getting caught themselves.
Just remember that we said we'd deliver you
The person is assuring that they will deliver the money promised in return for helping avoid taxes
Sign on the line and we'll give you the money
The person is asking the tax avoiders to sign a document in return for getting the money promised.
And then you'll be mine and we'll fly somewhere sunny
The person will consider the tax avoider's money as their own and will go on a vacation with them.
You'll quibble that our drivel seems unsatisfactory
The person is aware that the tax avoider may not be fully convinced with what they offer.
A taxloss, come back to me
The person is addressing a tax avoider to come back to them.
He'll be your taxloss lover and his name is Bert
A person named Bert can be your lover and also a means to avoid paying taxes
Your taxloss lover and he's always a flirt
A person who flirts with everyone and is also a means to avoid paying taxes
Your taxloss lover's into kinky sex
A person who is into unusual sexual activities and also a means to avoid paying taxes
Your taxloss lover wears a cracking dress
A person who wears a good dress and is also a means to avoid paying taxes
Taxloss, mod rock, junk pop, chart hop
A phrase that is associated with tax avoidance scheme used in mod rock, junk pop, and chart hop music.
Mop top, swap shop, who'd you nick your cliche off
A phrase that refers to the Beatles' hairstyle called the mop top and a TV show called swap shop, asking where did they get their ideas from.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL EDWARD DRAPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@terinasargeant138
Still listening to this amazing album in 2023! Always a fave of mine to play
@drewski5150
This is probably the greatest and most rebellious music video in history. If there was one video that defined Mansun as a band it would be this. Utterly brillant.
@InsecureAnimal
Not seeing Mansun live is one of my greatest regrets. Come back to us Paul and Chad we want your talent, you're a great loss.
@punkisdeadandsoami3797
17 years ago on youtube, and i am only now finding about this band. Incredible
@shortyktfc
I'm almost jealous of the fun you'll have discovering their back catalogue!
Enjoy
@ThanksChris
Just have Attack of the Grey Lantern on repeat for about 3 years like I did when it came out. It’s a tragedy it all imploded but that’s life.
@JG-vg4nw
Brillant and sardonic. Mansun means a lot to me.
@terinasargeant138
Attack of the Grey Lantern isan iconic album that still gets played and its the original cd from 1996 too in my car regularly. Good memories and loved album. Thankyou Paul,Chad,Mavis and Bert for creating magic images in my head.
@Konverteraren
Release this video in 4k already. Legendary.
@warwickp1
I was 'in' that video. One of the people scrabbling around on the floor for free money obv, I made several hundred pounds out of that :) Today is the first time I have ever seen the video - happy memories