Men at Work won the 1983 Grammy Award for "Best New Artist", beating an impressive set of rivals including Asia, Jennifer Holliday, The Human League, and Stray Cats.. In August 1983, they ware given a Crystal Globe Award for $100 million worth of record business by their U.S label. That same year, in Canada, they were awarded a Juno Award for "International LP of the Year". At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994, they were inducted into the related Hall of Fame.
In terms of songs, their work has remained considerably popular. In May 2001, "Down Under" was listed at No. 4 on the APRA Top 30 Australian songs. In October 2010, 'Business as Usual' was listed in the book of 100 Best Australian Albums. According to Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane, the group's "phenomenal success inextricably created worldwide interest in Australia and Australian music" irrespective "of the band's fairy-tale rise to prominence". He's also said that they "simply opened the floodgates with little more than a clutch of great songs" and were "Australia's most famous group".
Men at Work have sold over 30 million albums worldwide in total. The band's singer-songwriter frontman, Colin Hay, pursued a solo career after it folded. In 1996, Hay and Ham reformed the band with replacement members. With new wave fans enjoying hearing 80s hits again live, the band had several popular tours. Sadly, Ham was found dead in his home in April 2012, and the future of Men at Work remains unclear.
Snakes And Ladders
Men at Work Lyrics
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I could fall but I'm always on the floor
You could make a million staring at the ceiling
You could break your back and still be poor
One for the liar
One for the cheat
One for the man who you'll never meet
They'll be there waiting when your big chance comes by
There's a snake on top of every ladder
Who will tell you that he's your best friend
Everyone important needs an adder
But subtraction gets you in the end
One for the liar
One for the cheat
One for the man who you'll never meet
Piece of the action and a portion of pie
They'll be there waiting when your big chance comes by
They don't care they don't mind
The in-betweens will steal you blind
I don't know I can't say
It seems its always been this way
You won't feel or complain
The gentle leech will cause no pain
The Men at Work's song "Snakes And Ladders" is a cautionary tale about the ups and downs of life, and how choosing the wrong path can lead to a slippery slope of deceit and betrayal. The lyrics suggest that standing up for oneself may not always feel good, and sometimes it is easier to fall down and stay on the ground. The song acknowledges that success and money may come from dishonest behaviors like lying and cheating, and those who don't partake in such actions may end up poor despite their hard work. However, the song warns that those who climb the ladders to success will eventually encounter snakes, people who pretend to be their friend but will backstab them for their own benefit. Despite all these risks, the song implies that people should still pursue their dreams and take risks, as long as they are aware of the dangers.
The chorus, which repeats twice, summarizes the message of the song: "One for the liar, one for the cheat, one for the man who you'll never meet, piece of the action and a portion of pie, they'll be there waiting when your big chance comes by." The lyrics suggest that there will always be people who will deceive and take advantage of others, and it is up to individuals to be aware and protect themselves. The last verse also warns that even those who are not actively trying to harm others may unintentionally do so, as "the in-betweens will steal you blind."
Line by Line Meaning
I could stand but I don't like the feeling
I have the ability to stand upright, but I choose not to because it causes discomfort
I could fall but I'm always on the floor
I have a tendency to be clumsy and end up on the ground often
You could make a million staring at the ceiling
It's possible to attain great wealth without actually doing anything productive or meaningful
You could break your back and still be poor
Working hard and tirelessly does not necessarily lead to financial success or upward mobility
One for the liar
There are people in the world who deceive and manipulate others for their own gain
One for the cheat
There are people in the world who act dishonestly and unethically to get ahead
One for the man who you'll never meet
There are people who wield power and influence from behind the scenes, who you may never personally encounter
Piece of the action and a portion of pie
People with power and privilege often take a share of the rewards, even if they didn't do any of the work to earn them
They'll be there waiting when your big chance comes by
The opportunistic and greedy will seize any opportunity to profit, even if it's at your expense
There's a snake on top of every ladder
People in positions of authority often have ulterior motives or hidden agendas that can harm or deceive those below them
Who will tell you that he's your best friend
The manipulative will often pretend to be your ally or confidante, while working against your interests
Everyone important needs an adder
Those in power rely on schemers and henchmen to do their dirty work and keep them in control
But subtraction gets you in the end
Those who exploit or harm others will eventually face the consequences of their actions, whether it's through karma, justice, or their own downfall
They don't care they don't mind
The callous and exploitative are indifferent to the suffering or exploitation of others, as long as they benefit
The in-betweens will steal you blind
There are those who operate in the grey areas between legality and illegality, who will take advantage of your vulnerability or ignorance if they can
I don't know I can't say
The true nature of the world and the motivations of those around us can be unclear, unpredictable, and inscrutable
It seems its always been this way
The cycle of exploitation, corruption, and abuse of power seems to be a perennial problem throughout history and across different societies
You won't feel or complain
The oppressors and exploiters will often ensure that their victims are kept subdued, passive, and unable to resist or speak out
The gentle leech will cause no pain
There are those who will suck your blood and resources without causing physical harm or violence, but the damage they inflict can be just as devastating
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joni Mitchell, Larry Klein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind