Mayday Mayday
The Clockworks Lyrics


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Seven sullen faces off a train
Clock into the office once again
‘It's just for now, it's just for now'
He must explain
cnd hope is anaesthetic for the brain
The shame
When money makes a miser out of me
The sun shines brighter on the far side of the street
Empathy's in entropy
cnd apathy is free
cnd I can't bear too much reality
No I can't bear
Too much reality
You know what makes a miser out of me?
No I can't bear
Too much reality
You know what makes a miser out of me?
Money money

I'm begging to borrow
Someone else's tomorrow
The wolf is knocking at my door today

Mayday Mayday
I need a payday

I'd be a sellout already
If I had something to sell
I'd be your ‘Bell Boy'
Boy I'd be your Del Boy as well
cnd I'm a traitor
Waiting for cause to betray
But ignorance is peace
So the blue pill if you please

Cause I'm a sad sad boy
With a big big dream
In the ad-mad world
Of the Big Wigs' scheme
cnd I'll cast my pearls
Under this pigs feet again
cnd again, and again, and again

I'm begging to borrow
Someone else's tomorrow
The wolf is knocking at my door today
The wolf is knocking at my door today

I need a payday
Covet, covet, love it, covet,
It's Money money

Mayday mayday
I need a payday

The wolf is knocking at my door today

Mayday Mayday
I need a payday
Maybe maybe
Someday they'll pay me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Mayday Mayday" by The Clockworks paint a vivid picture of the struggles and disillusionment faced by the singer in a society driven by money and materialism. The opening lines describe a group of weary individuals heading to work, feeling the weight of their obligations and the need to justify their current circumstances as temporary, with hope serving as a temporary escape from the harsh reality. The pressure to conform and meet societal expectations is palpable, as the singer laments how money can turn even the most empathetic person into a miser, overshadowing the simple joys of life.


The chorus of "Mayday Mayday" captures the desperation and urgency felt by the singer, who is in dire need of a payday to stave off financial woes and the looming threat of poverty represented by the wolf knocking at their door. The repeated plea for help reflects a sense of helplessness and a yearning for security in an unforgiving world where money rules. The reference to being a "sellout" if there was something to sell speaks to the compromise of values and integrity that can come with financial desperation.


The singer's internal conflict is further explored in the lyrics, where they grapple with the idea of betrayal and the seductive allure of ignorance as a form of peace. The reference to taking the "blue pill" as a means to avoid facing harsh truths mirrors the singer's desire to escape from the harsh realities of their situation. Despite their unfulfilled dreams and the suffocating pressure of consumerism and societal expectations, the singer continues to cast their pearls of wisdom and ambition to be trampled upon, highlighting a cycle of disappointment and resignation.


The repeated refrain of "Mayday Mayday" underscores the urgency and desperation felt by the singer, who longs for a reprieve from their financial struggles and hopes for a better future where they will be duly compensated for their efforts. The final line, "Maybe maybe / Someday they'll pay me," encapsulates a glimmer of hope amidst the despair, hinting at a potential resolution or a brighter tomorrow where their worth will be recognized and rewarded. Overall, "Mayday Mayday" is a poignant commentary on the dehumanizing impact of money and the longing for validation and security in a world where financial pressures loom large.


Line by Line Meaning

Seven sullen faces off a train
A group of unhappy individuals disembarking from a train


Clock into the office once again
Starting work at the office as usual


'It's just for now, it's just for now'
Trying to reassure oneself that the situation is temporary


He must explain and hope is anaesthetic for the brain
Feeling the need to justify oneself and finding hope as a temporary relief


When money makes a miser out of me
Feeling greedy and selfish due to the influence of money


The sun shines brighter on the far side of the street
Believing that things will be better elsewhere


Empathy's in entropy and apathy is free
Losing compassion while indifference is readily available


And I can't bear too much reality
Unable to handle the harshness of reality


You know what makes a miser out of me?
Reflecting on what drives one to become greedy


I'm begging to borrow someone else's tomorrow
Desperately seeking a better future from someone else


Mayday Mayday, I need a payday
Calling for help and expressing a need for money


I'd be a sellout already if I had something to sell
Would have compromised one's values if there was something valuable to offer


I'd be your ‘Bell Boy' Boy I'd be your Del Boy as well
Ready to serve in any way possible


And I'm a traitor waiting for cause to betray
Feeling disloyal and looking for a reason to betray


But ignorance is peace, so the blue pill if you please
Preferring to stay ignorant for the sake of peace and taking the easy way out


Cause I'm a sad sad boy with a big big dream
Being unhappy despite having ambitious goals


In the ad-mad world of the Big Wigs' scheme
Navigating a world driven by advertisements and corporate agendas


And I'll cast my pearls under this pig's feet again and again, and again, and again
Continuously wasting valuable possessions on unworthy individuals


Covet, covet, love it, covet, It's Money money
Desiring wealth and material possessions


Maybe maybe Someday they'll pay me
Hoping to be compensated for one's efforts in the future




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@Hans-fz6cc

Just saw them live last night in Amsterdam, what a band, great songs, great tunes, loved it. Hope to see them again soon. Are theyplaying in your neighborhood go and see they are worth checking out and you’ll havea great night. 👍👍👍

@_Glass-_-House_

The tyranny of capitalism is certainly a plane crash wherein our clipped wings hold no excuse to whom keep us aloft just above a grave upon puppet strings and desperation. A crash that facilitates a system wherein they spit in your face just to charge you a water bill. Brilliant number, catchy as hell and set to the top of my playlist. Thank you lads for the wonderful music that encourages more than just thought but action even just in the stride to nod amongst rhythm.

@emmaduttz5253

I think thays my dads mate jims son singing. Very impressed. Not my genre but would defonlisten to it again. Cheers steve Allen for the share.

@sammiV55

Thanks to Frank Skinner's radio show, I heard this for the first time! Love it, great band!!

@SkyBlueWooHoo

I loved this track when you performed it live at Victorious Festival, Portsmouth last Sunday. The crowd was bouncing.
Sounded brilliant.😎
Live version was ace.

@mymindmakesnoises

for a second I thought Franz Ferdinand made something new

@inHague

круто ❤‍🔥

@markcurran2865

Really looking forward to your album.

@GeorgeCrumb3923

Yeah great never heard anything like this before

@thedooner

Excellent ❤

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