Biography by Mark Deming
Tomato Can
The Arcs Lyrics
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The kid from Bakersfield
They told him when to fall
And how to fake and roll
But the kid could really fight, it wasn't right
Did anybody see?
A crowd of savage men
And pay him not to win
His heart was in the ring
He'd fight most anything
Lose it all just to win it back again
Tomato Can
They hold him in their hands
And cheer him from the stands
He fights for all the folks
Who live against the ropes
The need for him, to bleed for them is real
Did anybody see?
A crowd of savage men
Try to make a fool of him
And pay him not to win
His heart was in the ring
He'd fight most anything
Lose it all just to win it back again
Tomato Can
Did anybody hear?
The kid from Bakersfield
He laid down in the ring
All the lights went dim
The need for him, to bleed for them was true
Did anybody see?
A crowd of savage men
Try to make a fool of him
And pay him not to win
His heart was in the ring
He'd fight most anything
Lose it all just to win it back again
Lose it all just to win it back again
Tomato Can
The Arcs' song "Tomato Can" is a poignant commentary on the world of boxing and the struggles of many fighters who are often exploited for financial gain. The term "tomato can" traditionally refers to a fighter who is brought in to fight a more skilled opponent and is expected to lose easily. In this context, the lyrics suggest that the singer is a gifted fighter, but is being used by promoters to make a quick profit by losing fights.
In the first verse, the lyrics allude to the idea that the fighter is being controlled by others - they are told when to fall and how to fake and roll. However, despite this manipulation, the "kid from Bakersfield" is a talented boxer and has the ability to win fights. The chorus repeats the phrase "tomato can," which underlines the idea that this fighter is being used and discarded by the boxing industry.
The second verse describes the fans who are cheering for the fighter but also exploiting him. They "need for him, to bleed for them," which suggests that they are not only entertained by the violence of the sport but also expect to profit from it. The final verse describes the fighter losing a match and "laying down in the ring." The line "the need for him to bleed for them was true" suggests that despite the risks to his health and well-being, the fighter was expected to keep fighting and bleeding for the entertainment of others.
Overall, "Tomato Can" is a powerful commentary on the exploitation of fighters in the boxing world. The song suggests that these athletes are often controlled and manipulated by promoters and fans, and that their physical and emotional well-being is often ignored in the quest for profit.
Line by Line Meaning
Did anybody hear?
Did anyone take notice?
The kid from Bakersfield
The young fighter from the city of Bakersfield
They told him when to fall
He was instructed when to lose on purpose
And how to fake and roll
He was taught to act out his punches and falls
But the kid could really fight, it wasn't right
The fighter was actually skilled, it was not fair to have him lose intentionally
Did anybody see?
Did anyone witness?
A crowd of savage men
A group of cruel and merciless spectators
Try to make a fool of him
They attempted to humiliate him
And pay him not to win
They would bribe him to intentionally lose
His heart was in the ring
The fighter had true passion for the sport
He'd fight most anything
He had the courage to take on any opponent
Lose it all just to win it back again
He would risk everything just to redeem himself with a victory
Tomato Can
A derogatory term for a boxer who is expected to lose
They hold him in their hands
The spectators had complete control over the fighter's fate
And cheer him from the stands
They would show support and enthusiasm for his defeats as well as his victories
He fights for all the folks
The boxer represented the underprivileged people
Who live against the ropes
Who are disadvantaged and oppressed
The need for him, to bleed for them is real
They required him to literally shed blood to satisfy their desires
He laid down in the ring
He took a dive and allowed himself to be defeated
All the lights went dim
The brightness and spectacle of the event faded away
The need for him, to bleed for them was true
The crowd's longing for the boxer to physically suffer was genuine
Lose it all just to win it back again
He would sacrifice everything to regain his credibility and reputation
Tomato Can
A belittling title given to a boxer who is dismissed as an easy opponent
Writer(s): DAN AUERBACH, LEON MICHELS
Contributed by Aaliyah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.