After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.
Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City. Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.
Ballad of a Politician
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is how it happens
Our carefully laid plans
Shake it, shake it baby
Shake your ass out in that street
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make it big
You love so deep, so tender
Your people and your land
You love 'em 'till they can't recall
Who they are again
Work it, work it baby
Work your way 'round that room
You're gonna make it big some day
You're gonna make a boom
But I am
But I am
But I am not a number, not a name
But I am
But I am
But I am a carefully laid plan
Shake what your mama gave you
You know that it won't last
You're gonna taste the ground real soon
You're gonna taste the grass
A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men
This is how it happens
Our world under command
Shake it, shake it baby
Shake your ass out in that street
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make us weak
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make it big
"Ballad of a Politician" by Regina Spektor is a song that speaks about the political system and its inner workings. The opening line, "A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men," suggests that political deals are frequently going on, away from the public eye. The next line, "This is how it happens," implies that this is the norm, and that things develop this way according to a certain plan. The song's title suggests that the politician is the central figure in this narrative. The stanza "Shake it, shake it baby / Shake your ass out in that street / You're gonna make us scream someday / You're gonna make it big" might be interpreted as a sarcastic statement about the politician's self-promotion in the public, implying that their goal is to make a spectacle and get fame at any expense.
In the second verse, Spektor sings "You love so deep, so tender / Your people and your land / You love 'em 'till they can't recall / Who they are again." This line suggests that the politician is manipulating people into thinking that they care about them deeply, but once in power, they forget about their people and their interests, which ultimately leads to confusion and a loss of identity among them. The lines "Work it, work it baby / Work your way 'round that room / You're gonna make it big someday / You're gonna make a boom" could be seen as a comment on political ambition, highlighting the politician's determination to climb the political ladder and make a difference.
The last stanza repeats the opening one, "A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men / This is how it happens / Our world under command," suggesting that the track has come full circle, and that the system is unchangeable.
Line by Line Meaning
A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men
A leader is networking with other powerful individuals to advance their agenda
This is how it happens
This is how the wheels of politics turn
Our carefully laid plans
The strategy and tactics we use are crafted with great care and precision
Shake it, shake it baby
Let loose and make a splash in the public eye
Shake your ass out in that street
Express yourself boldly and without reservation
You're gonna make us scream someday
Your charisma and energy will inspire a frenzy among your supporters
You're gonna make it big
You'll achieve great power and influence
You love so deep, so tender
You have great passion and devotion for your people and cause
Your people and your land
The community and country you represent
You love 'em 'till they can't recall
You inspire such intense loyalty that your followers forget their original identity or loyalty to others
Who they are again
They are transformed and defined by their association with you
Work it, work it baby
Keep grinding and hustling to achieve your goals
Work your way 'round that room
Use your charm and influence to win over those in power
You're gonna make a boom
Your actions and achievements will reverberate throughout society
But I am not a number, not a name
I am not just another cog in the political machine, I am unique and powerful
But I am a carefully laid plan
My path to success is strategic and calculated
Shake what your mama gave you
Use your natural gifts and talents to your advantage
You know that it won't last
Your time in the spotlight is limited and fleeting
You're gonna taste the ground real soon
Eventually you will fall from grace and face failure
You're gonna taste the grass
You will be humbled and forced to start over again
Our world under command
We have a tight grip on the levers of power that shape the direction of society
You're gonna make us weak
Your rise to power will challenge our own, and ultimately weaken our grasp on control
You're gonna make us scream someday
Your threats to our established order are so significant that we cannot ignore them
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REGINA SPEKTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind