Good is a strong advocate for human rights, and is affiliated with Amnesty International.
He has also released a book entitled "At Last There Is Nothing Left to Say," consisting of a series of blog entries and manifestos he posted on Matthew Good Band's website before the band disbanded. As well as being a testament to why he continues to have a solid and devoted fan-base, the work showcases Matt's unique perspective, and the creative mind that is the source of his success.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2002
Pledge Of Allegiance
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is a rehearsal for all the empty promises I will be
and I won't let you down
done letting you down
This is a commercial for freedom while freedom is in Hades
This is a rehearsal of incoherent double talk and maybes
And it won't let you down
It's okay to be their disappointment baby
It's okay to fly the flag
It's okay to be my disappointment baby
It's okay to fly the flag
This is a commercial for my army and my navy
This is a rehearsal for all the empty promises I will be
and I won't let you down
done letting you down
The lyrics of Matthew Good's song "Pledge of Allegiance" express a sense of disillusionment and frustration within the context of a patriotic society. The first two lines of the song speak of the military as if it were merely a product being advertised, with the "empty promises" of recruitment propaganda serving as a "rehearsal" for the singer's own failed attempts at keeping commitments. However, the chorus of the song acknowledges that it is "okay" to feel disappointed and disenchanted with society, but it is still okay to be proud of one's country and to fly the flag.
The second verse expands on the theme of double talk and the illusion of freedom, noting that even as soldiers fight for freedom, it is still an elusive and compromised ideal. The overall sense is that of disappointment and disillusionment with the current state of society, both politically and socially.
Overall, the message of "Pledge of Allegiance" is complex and difficult to pin down definitively. On one hand, the song seems to be expressing a deep-seated cynicism about the state of the country and the military-industrial complex. On the other hand, the chorus also suggests that it is still possible to feel a sense of loyalty and pride in one's country, even while acknowledging its flaws and shortcomings.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a commercial for my army and my navy
This is a marketing pitch for the military, meant to promote the strength of my country's army and navy.
This is a rehearsal for all the empty promises I will be
This is a practice run for making false assurances that I might make in the future.
and I won't let you down
Despite my history of failure, I will try my best to succeed this time around.
done letting you down
I am done disappointing you and will strive to be better from now on.
This is a commercial for freedom while freedom is in Hades
This is a promotion of liberty, while in reality, freedom is non-existent or imprisoned.
This is a rehearsal of incoherent double talk and maybes
This is a practice run for giving ambiguous, unintelligible responses that don't provide any real answer.
And it won't let you down
My message, though vague and potentially deceiving, will not fail to sell its intended message.
Done letting you down
I am finished with disappointing you and will do my best to meet your expectations.
It's okay to be their disappointment baby
It's acceptable to not live up to their standards, my dear.
It's okay to fly the flag
It's acceptable to show pride in one's country by displaying its flag.
It's okay to be my disappointment baby
It's alright if you don't live up to my aspirations either, my dear.
It's okay to fly the flag
It's acceptable to show pride in one's country by displaying its flag.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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