While many groups that mix reggae with rock go for the laid-back vibes and … Read Full Bio ↴While many groups that mix reggae with rock go for the laid-back vibes and represent the permanent vacation lifestyle, the Savannah, Georgia-based Passafire prefer a more punchy, punky, and progressive version of reggae-rock. Formed in 2003 with the Savannah College of Art and Design as their home base, the four-piece launched their career through rigorous touring and a self-titled, self-released album that appeared in 2006. Two years later, they signed with fellow rock-reggae group Pepper's imprint LAW and released their sophomore effort, Submersible, with Everyone on Everynight following on the label in 2009. With guidance from the people at LAW, Passafire formed their own imprint, Flame Guy Records, and released their fourth album, the Paul Leary-produced Start from Scratch, in 2011. Life on their own didn't last long as Easy Star Records signed the group in 2012. Their album Vines appeared on the label a year later, debuting at number one on the Billboard Reggae Chart.

Workingman's Song
Passafire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Politicians them don't have no soul
Said he's always looking out for his own
And the people, them don't have no desire
To be your workhorse for hire, your workhorse for hire
The waiting list is getting so long
and the next generation grows old
The people looking weary and tired
from being your workhorse for hire, your workhorse for hire, yeah

This is the working man's song
I want to sing it all night long
This is the working man's song
I want to sing it

People lets start to move
Let me know if you can feel the bass thumping
And if you think that you can feel this groove
Get on the floor and start bumping, the floor and start bumping
I say people lets start to move
Let me know if you can feel the bass thumping
And if you think that you can feel this groove
Get on the floor and start bumping...

I came from around the way
To make sure that the music gonna shock your brain
If you feel it in your back just start to sway
Get down with the roots rock reggae
I came from around the way
To make sure that the music gonna shock your brain
If you feel it in your back just start to sway
Get down with the roots rock reggae

(guitar solo)

Politicians them don't have no soul
Said he's always looking out for his own
And the people, them don't have no desire
To be your workhorse for hire, your workhorse for hire
The waiting list is getting so long
and the next generation grows old
The people looking weary and tired
from being your workhorse for hire, your workhorse for hire, yeah

This is the working man's song
I want to sing it all night long

This is the working man's song
I want to sing it

Overall Meaning

The song "Workingman's Song" by Passafire is a call to action for the common people to rise up and realize their worth. The lyrics begin by criticizing politicians for lacking empathy and using the common people as mere pawns for their own gain. The people are described as tired and weary from being overworked and underappreciated. The waiting list to be heard is getting longer and the youth is growing old waiting for their turn. However, the chorus is a celebration of the freedom of the working man. It is an anthem that encourages the listener to move and feel the music. The message is clear - the working man deserves to be celebrated, his voice must be heard, and he should be appreciated for his efforts.

Overall, this song stresses the importance of respecting the working class and fighting for their rights, instead of taking them for granted. The lyrics are simple, yet powerful, and the message is timeless. The song undoubtedly resonates with workers from all walks of life who endure the daily hardships of working to make a living.

Line by Line Meaning

Politicians them don't have no soul
Politicians lack empathy in their decision-making

Said he's always looking out for his own
Politicians prioritize their own interests over the people's

And the people, them don't have no desire
The people lack motivation or enthusiasm

To be your workhorse for hire, your workhorse for hire
The people don't want to be taken advantage of as unpaid laborers

The waiting list is getting so long
The queue for resources or opportunities is growing increasingly large

and the next generation grows old
The younger generation is growing up and inheriting the same problems as the previous generations

The people looking weary and tired
The people are exhausted from the ongoing labor

from being your workhorse for hire, your workhorse for hire, yeah
They are being overworked and taken advantage of without receiving adequate compensation or recognition

This is the working man's song
This is an anthem for working people

I want to sing it all night long
The singer wants to celebrate the working class and its struggles

People lets start to move
The singer urges people to take action

Let me know if you can feel the bass thumping
The singer wants to connect with his audience in a physical way

And if you think that you can feel this groove
The singer wants the audience to identify with the message and the music

Get on the floor and start bumping, the floor and start bumping
The singer wants the audience to dance and celebrate their shared experiences

I came from around the way
The singer identifies with and comes from a similar background as the audience

To make sure that the music gonna shock your brain
The singer wants to challenge and inspire his listeners with his music

If you feel it in your back just start to sway
The singer wants the audience to feel physically and emotionally touched by the music

Get down with the roots rock reggae
The singer wants the audience to connect with the cultural and musical roots of the working class community

Contributed by Nolan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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