Taxman
Rockwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
Taxman
And you're working for no one but me
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for
(Taxman, Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more
(Taxman, Mr. Heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
Taxman
Could you pay your taxes?
And you're working for no one but me
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Could you pay your taxes?
The song "Taxman" by Rockwell is a satirical take on the concept of taxation. The lyrics are from the point of view of a taxman who sees himself as the all-powerful entity that has the power to impose taxes on every aspect of someone's life. The first few lines of the song establish this idea, as the taxman proclaims that anyone working is working for him, as he is the one who collects taxes.
The taxman then proceeds to explain how taxation works, with the line "There's one for you, nineteen for me." This refers to the tax rate at the time, where the taxman would take 95% of someone's earnings. He then goes on to say "Be thankful I don't take it all," indicating that he has the power to take everything if he so chose. The following lines continue to demonstrate the idea that everything is taxable, from streets to seats to feet, highlighting the tyranny of taxation.
The song ends with a warning to those who are dying to "declare the pennies on your eyes" as even in death, the taxman has the power to claim a part of them. Overall, the lyrics of "Taxman" are a commentary on how taxation can be seen as a form of oppression when those in power abuse their authority.
Line by Line Meaning
And you're working for no one but me
Rockwell is talking about how citizens work to pay off taxes only, and are not working for themselves or any other reason.
'Cause I'm the taxman
Rockwell refers to himself as the taxman to imply that he is the authority and controls taxing.
Let me tell you how it will be
Rockwell sets a tone of authority and tells citizens about how taxes work and how much they have to pay.
There's one for you, nineteen for me
Rockwell takes nineteen times more money from citizens than what he gives back to them in return.
Should five per cent appear too small
Rockwell tells citizens that if they think 5% is not enough, he could take more from them as taxes.
Be thankful I don't take it all
Rockwell essentially says to be grateful that he isn't taxing citizens for everything they have or do since he could.
If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
Rockwell asserts his power in taxing everything on which citizens depend every day, even the streets on which they drive.
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
Rockwell implies that even taking a rest, such as sitting down, is taxable.
If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat
Rockwell asserts his power by taxing heat when someone is cold, which is essential to human survival.
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
Rockwell wants it to be known that even something as simple, natural, and healthy as walking is a taxable event.
Don't ask me what I want it for
Rockwell doesn't explain what he wants citizens' taxes for and says he doesn't need to justify taking their money.
If you don't want to pay some more
Rockwell warns citizens that if they refuse to pay taxes or want to decrease them, he could take even more money from them as taxes.
Now my advice for those who die
Rockwell includes even dead people in his taxing scheme and advises people to put pennies on their eyes to be taxed after death.
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Rockwell advises people to disclose even the smallest, seemingly insignificant amounts of money they possess so that he can tax them.
Could you pay your taxes?
Rockwell repeats this question, often used in collecting taxes, to remind people to pay up and emphasise his authority on this subject.
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.