The band name is a reference to "kissing and cuddling," which, according to Thrussell, symbolizes the Marxist concept of destroying barriers between people (see the lyrics to "Light, Yet Refreshing")
Their first album, Lies Inc., was released in 1992. Pieter Bourke joined the band soon afterwards, and Dear Valued Customer, which drew heavily on techno influences, was released in 1994. That same year, two sideprojects emerged: Soma was formed by Thrussell and Pieter Bourke, and Thrussell formed solo project Black Lung.
By 1997, the band had largely become a solo project for Thrussell (with guest musicians). Buy Me... I'll Change Your Life was a departure in style, featuring country western-style guitar and a cover of Lee Hazlewood's "Let the Little Flowers Grow". 1999's Third Mall from the Sun offered a unique blend of the style of the previous two albums, along with new influences. This was followed by the remix album Relax into the Abyss.
In 2003, Beyond the Valley of the Proles was released. This album offered a more refined version of the style found on Buy Me. Its 2006 follow-up, Snog Vs. the Faecal Juggernaut of Mass Culture, saw a return to a more electronic sound.
One notable feature about the band is Thrussell's lyrics — almost all songs contain themes of anti-capitalism, anti-fascism, anti-consumerism, individuality, and anti-big-brotherism. Thrussell also often includes references to conspiracy theories in his lyrics and song titles (for example, The Report From Iron Mountain or Rex 84).
The albums Third Mall from the Sun (1999), Relax into the Abyss (2000) and Beyond the Valley of the Proles (2003) featured artwork by Canadian artist Chris Woods, whose paintings lampoon the advertising tactics of major corporations such as McDonald's, The Gap, and Nike.
Discography
Albums
Lies Inc. (1992)
Dear Valued Customer (1994)
Live in the Global Village (limited-edition bonus disc, 1994)
Lies Inc. (limited-edition 2-disc reissue with early material, 1996)
Remote Control (anthology, 1997)
Buy Me...I'll Change Your Life (1997)
Third Mall from the Sun (1999)
Relax Into the Abyss (remixes, 2000)
Beyond the Valley of the Proles (2003)
Your Favourite Electro-Folk Swingers (limited-edition remix CD, 2003)
Sixteen Easy Tunes For The End Times (2-disc greatest hits collection with bonus unreleased material, 2006)
Snog Vs. The Faecal Juggernaut Of Mass Culture (2006)
Singles and EPs
Corporate Slave (1992)
Shop (1992)
Born To Be Mild (1993)
Hey Christian God (1993)
Cliché (1994)
The Future (1995)
Make the Little Flowers Grow (1997)
Hooray!! (1998)
The Ballad (1998)
The Human Germ (1998)
I Snog, Therefore I am (1999)
Justified Homicide (2001)
Crash Crash (Vs. Remixes & Exclusive Tracks CD Single - 2006)
Vs. The Faecal Juggernaut Of Mass Culture (2006)
City EP (2008)
Other
Adventures in Capitalism DVD (2003)
Angst (Movie soundtrack) (2000) (contributed four tracks)
Pearls Before Swine (Movie Soundtrack) (contributed tracks, along side NON and Death in June)
Supermarket Dream
Snog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've got to hide what we've got to hide
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
When the bargain bin's full of useless things
Turn and bring this world down
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
We've got to earn what we've got to earn
We've got to hurt what we've go to hurt
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
When the priests and the kings
And the business men all stop holding hands
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
When father Christmans and the Kray twins
Burn all the wedding rings
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
The song "Supermarket Dream" by Snog is a satirical commentary on consumerism and the pursuit of materialism. The lyrics suggest that we have an insatiable desire to shop and acquire material things, at any cost. The chorus repeats, "We're gonna shop 'til we drop" as if it's our primary purpose in life.
The first verse implies a need to acquire something, but also a need to hide it, possibly because we are ashamed of our consumeristic tendencies. The second verse, however, suggests that there is a sense of desperation in our shopping habits, especially when we feel like we are not getting value for money. This desperation is further highlighted by the repeated phrase "we've got to earn what we've got to earn" which could mean we have to work hard to make the money to buy our things.
The third verse connects consumerism with power struggles, mentioning priests, kings, and business men, all holding hands together to maintain their control over society. The idea that consumerism is used as a way to keep people under control is relevant today, with the rise of social media advertising and influencers.
The final verse suggests that even when traditional institutions are breaking down, such as marriage and organized crime, consumerism remains steadfast. The song seems to be suggesting that irrespective of any political or social upheaval, the desire for material pleasures will remain a constant force in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
We've got to find what we've got to find
We must discover whatever it is we seek
We've got to hide what we've got to hide
We must keep our secrets hidden
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
We plan to continue shopping until we can't anymore
When the bargain bin's full of useless things
When the clearance section is stocked with worthless items
Turn and bring this world down
Take action to cause the world's destruction
We've got to earn what we've got to earn
We must work to gain what we want
We've got to hurt what we've go to hurt
We must cause pain as necessary to achieve our goals
When the priests and the kings
And the business men all stop holding hands
When religion, government, and commerce are no longer united
When father Christmans and the Kray twins
Burn all the wedding rings
When figures associated with Christmas and notorious criminals destroy symbols of marriage
We're gonna shop 'til we drop
We plan to continue shopping until we can't anymore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LACHLAN THRUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind