The Dead Pets have released two albums on their own label Village Idiot records; 'Too Little Too Late' (2001) and 'Revenge of The Village Idiots' (2003). Both albums have been re-issued.
Setback
The Dead Pets Lyrics
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And it's full of trouble and strife,
Catch 22,
What you gonna do?
Are you gonna give up or are you gonna come through?
So what you gonna do?
Cos decision time has come,
You've gotta pull through,
It's like they always say,
There is worse off than you,
It's that last thing you wanna hear,
But you know it's true,
So don't do it for them,
Do it for you.
One step forwards, two steps back,
Find five quid then you owe ten back,
One step forwards, two steps back,
You get a job then you get the sack.
The lyrics to The Dead Pets' song Setback are a commentary on the difficulties and challenges that individuals face in life. The singer describes life as a "vicious circle" filled with "trouble and strife" and also references the concept of a "catch 22," indicating the conflicts and contradictions that people encounter. The singer poses the question of whether to give up or persevere, saying "what you gonna do?" before asserting that "decision time has come" and encouraging the listener to "pull through."
The lyrics also highlight the cyclical nature of setbacks and progress, with the singer stating that "one step forwards" is often followed by "two steps back." The song acknowledges the frustrating experience of making progress, only to face new obstacles that feel like setbacks. The line "find five quid then you owe ten back" emphasizes the feeling of being stuck in a never-ending cycle of struggling to make ends meet.
Ultimately, the song encourages the listener to keep going, not for the benefit of others, but for themselves. The lyrics suggest that while it may be true that there are people who are worse off, this shouldn't be the primary motivation for persevering. Instead, the singer advises the listener to focus on their own well-being and self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a vicious circle of life,
Life is cyclical and full of challenges.
And it's full of trouble and strife,
Life is full of difficulties and hardship.
Catch 22,
Feeling trapped with no suitable options.
What you gonna do?
Asks a rhetorical question, highlighting the need for a decision.
Are you gonna give up or are you gonna come through?
Asks if the listener will give up in the face of adversity or persevere.
So what you gonna do?
Reiterates the need for a decision to be made.
Cos decision time has come,
Acknowledges the urgency of the situation.
You've gotta pull through,
Encourages perseverance and determination.
It's like they always say,
Refers to a common saying or phrase.
There is worse off than you,
Reminds the listener that others are in a worse position.
It's that last thing you wanna hear,
Acknowledges that hearing this may be discouraging.
But you know it's true,
Reiterates that there are others who are worse off.
So don't do it for them,
Advises against doing something solely for the benefit of others.
Do it for you.
Encourages the listener to do something for their own benefit.
One step forwards, two steps back,
Expresses the feeling of making little progress.
Find five quid then you owe ten back,
Highlights the difficulty of breaking free from challenging situations.
You get a job then you get the sack.
Illustrates the frustration of experiencing setbacks in life.
Contributed by Arianna L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.