Piggies
The Beatles# Lyrics


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Have you seen the little piggies
Crawling in the dirt?
And for all the little piggies
Life is getting worse,
Always having dirt to play around in

Have you seen the bigger piggies
In their starched white shirts?
You will find the bigger piggies
Stirring up the dirt,
Always have clean shirts to play around in

In their styes with all their backing
They don't care what goes on around
In their eyes there's something lacking
What they need's a damn good whacking

Everywhere there's lots of piggies
Living piggy lives
You can see them out for dinner
With their piggy wives
Clutching forks and knives to eat the bacon





One more time

Overall Meaning

"Piggies" by The Beatles is a song that comments on the greed and self-importance of the upper class. The lyrics use the metaphor of pigs, animals that people often associate with greed and gluttony, to criticize those who have wealth and power but do not use it to help others. The first verse of the song talks about the "little piggies" who are always crawling in the dirt, meaning the common people who have to work hard to survive. The second verse contrasts this with the "bigger piggies" who wear white shirts, representing the wealthy elite. They too are always stirring up the dirt, but they have clean clothes to wear while they do it. The line "always have clean shirts to play around in" suggests that the wealthy are insulated from the pain and struggles of the working class.


In the third verse, the song describes the way that the rich live in their "styes" (a term referring to the small pens where pigs are kept) without paying attention to the world around them. The line "what they need's a damn good whacking" is a call to action, suggesting that the upper class needs to be punished for their indifference to the plight of others. The final verse talks about how the "piggy lives" of the wealthy are characterized by excess and indulgence, even to the point of eating bacon despite being pigs themselves.


Overall, "Piggies" is a satirical commentary on the class divide between the rich and the poor. By portraying the wealthy as pigs, the song highlights their excesses and disregard for the needs of others, while also suggesting that they are ultimately powerless against the forces that will eventually bring about their downfall.


Line by Line Meaning

Have you seen the little piggies Crawling in the dirt?
The singer is asking if you have observed the small, helpless individuals who are struggling in the muck of society.


And for all the little piggies Life is getting worse, Always having dirt to play around in
Despite their efforts, the lives of the less privileged only get worse as they remain stuck in their impoverished conditions.


Have you seen the bigger piggies In their starched white shirts?
The singer is now pointing out the wealthy and powerful individuals who more easily navigate society in their expensive apparel.


You will find the bigger piggies Stirring up the dirt, Always have clean shirts to play around in
Despite their pristine appearance, the wealthy and powerful are often the instigators who cause chaos and turmoil within society but remain untouched by the consequences of their actions.


In their styes with all their backing They don't care what goes on around In their eyes there's something lacking What they need's a damn good whacking
The powerful are insulated in their privilege and do not concern themselves with the problems of the less fortunate. The artist suggests that they deserve a punishment for their selfishness and apathy.


Everywhere there's lots of piggies Living piggy lives
The singer is pointing out that there are many people living their lives selfishly and without regard for others, much like pigs.


You can see them out for dinner With their piggy wives Clutching forks and knives to eat the bacon
The wealthy and selfish individuals are shown dining with their equally as selfish partners, eagerly consuming the products of their own exploitation of the less privileged.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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