The Briggs also gained some popularity when they were recommended to the professional hockey/National Hockey League team, the Los Angeles Kings. Their song "This is LA" is played after every home win.
Ship of Fools
The Briggs Lyrics
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Thought they were angels but there's nothing above their heads
The real world came crashing through the door
Who'd knew we'd become the children of war
Thrown into a holding cell
A waiting room for heaven or hell
But they make mice out of men
Ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
We blindly follow all the rules
On the ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
If we're always compassionate
How are we supposed to turn a profit?
Poisoned words spew from poisoned tongues
We have the answer but we have to convert the young
Dying is the best way to make a living
Works for us, don't think of it as giving in
Well, ready, set, here's the fun
Punch the clock and grab yourself a gun
This will be our finest hour
As we stumble around drunk with power
Ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
We blindly follow all the rules
On the ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
In the depths of the deep blue sea
You're going over the side if I find you disagree
Well, we fastened ourselves to our fate
And we want to change our minds, but it's just too late
And we gave them a chance to take the upper hand
We didn't think they'd really take a stand
Ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
We blindly follow all the rules
On the ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
In the depths of the deep blue sea
Well, I better not catch you laughing at me
Ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
We blindly follow all the rules
On the ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
Well, I'd sail around the sea making sure
Everyone thinks like me
The Briggs's song Ship of Fools is a scathing critique of blind conformity and the devastating consequences that arise from it. The opening lines describe the singer's disillusionment with the world around them. They see nothing but death and destruction, and even the supposed angels have nothing above their heads. This is a metaphor for the absence of hope and salvation in a world where humanity is consumed by war and violence.
The second stanza describes the singer's experience of being imprisoned in a holding cell, which serves as a metaphor for the limits that society places on individual freedom and imagination. The third stanza delves into the toxic culture of profit-driven capitalism, where compassion and humanity are sacrificed to the demands of the market. The final stanza describes the reckless, drunken pursuit of power and the inevitable consequences that result.
Overall, Ship of Fools is a powerful statement on the dangers of groupthink and the importance of individuality and free thought.
Line by Line Meaning
I look around and see nothing but the dead
Surrounded by destruction, I observe lifeless bodies.
Thought they were angels but there's nothing above their heads
At first I thought they were heavenly beings, but they have no divinity or guidance.
The real world came crashing through the door
Real life events interrupted our fantasies and illusions.
Who'd knew we'd become the children of war
We didn't foresee that our society would be consumed by violence.
Thrown into a holding cell
Our freedom is stripped, and we feel trapped.
A waiting room for heaven or hell
Our fate is unknown, and we face the possibility of either reward or punishment.
But they make mice out of men
Those in power use their authority to oppress us and make us feel small.
We only strengthened the ones we sought to contend
Our attempts to resist only gave more power to our oppressors.
Ship of fools, all aboard the ship of fools
We are all together in our foolishness and lack of judgment.
We blindly follow all the rules
We don't question authority, and we do as we're told without thought or reason.
If we're always compassionate
If we're always seeking to be kind and considerate,
How are we supposed to turn a profit?
how can we expect to make money or succeed in capitalism?
Poisoned words spew from poisoned tongues
The rhetoric we hear from those in power is toxic and damaging.
We have the answer but we have to convert the young
We know what needs to be done, but we must convince the next generation to follow our lead.
Dying is the best way to make a living
It's easier to profit from death and destruction than to create something new.
Works for us, don't think of it as giving in
We find it profitable to perpetuate chaos and don't see this as a moral compromise.
Well, ready, set, here's the fun
We're eager to engage in violent and destructive behavior.
Punch the clock and grab yourself a gun
We're ready for war and have the weapons to prove it.
This will be our finest hour
We believe that through violence and destruction we will come out on top.
As we stumble around drunk with power
We are intoxicated by our own dominance and control.
In the depths of the deep blue sea
If you disagree with us, we will exile you to a place from which there is no escape.
You're going over the side if I find you disagree
We will not tolerate dissent or disagreement and will resort to violence to maintain control.
Well, we fastened ourselves to our fate
We have accepted our destiny and are unwilling or unable to change it.
And we want to change our minds, but it's just too late
We may regret our actions, but we cannot undo what we have already done.
And we gave them a chance to take the upper hand
Our actions gave our enemies the advantage and allowed them to gain power.
We didn't think they'd really take a stand
We underestimated our opposition and did not prepare for their resistance.
Well, I'd sail around the sea making sure
I would force others to conform to my beliefs and worldview by any means necessary.
Everyone thinks like me
I believe that my way of thinking is the only correct and acceptable one.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher Arredondo, Jason La Rocca, Joseph La Rocca, Ryan Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind