Listen to the Painters
The Ex Lyrics

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We need poets, we need painters
we need poets, we need painters
we need poetry and paintings...

Narrow minds are weapons made for mass destruction
file them under giant ass seduction
sheep with crazy leaders, heading for disaster
courting jesters who take themselves for masters

The shrub who took himself for a park
the squeak who took himself for a bark

We need poets, we need painters
we need poets, we need painters
we need poetry and paintings...

We need filmers, and writers, dancers, musicians
actors, and sculptor, s bakers, electricians
thinkers, and doctors, cyclists, and builders
lovers, friends, and neighbours, and others

filmers, writers, dancers, musicians
poets, and painters, poets, and painters

Overall Meaning

The Ex's song "Listen to the Painters" is a powerful call for creativity and individual expression. The opening lines, "We need poets, we need painters / we need poetry and paintings..." set the tone for the rest of the song. The repetition of this refrain emphasizes their importance, and suggests that these forms of artistic expression are essential for society to thrive.

The following lines, "Narrow minds are weapons made for mass destruction / file them under giant ass seduction / sheep with crazy leaders, heading for disaster / courting jesters who take themselves for masters" are a strong critique of mainstream society and its conformist tendencies. The reference to "giant ass seduction" suggests that our current cultural norms are based on superficial desires, rather than deeper values.

The song goes on to call for a wide range of creative professions, from "filmers, and writers, dancers, musicians" to "s bakers, electricians / thinkers, and doctors, cyclists, and builders / lovers, friends, and neighbours, and others." The repetition of "poets and painters" at the end of each list reinforces their importance in this call for creativity and individual expression.

Overall, "Listen to the Painters" is a passionate appeal for people to embrace their creative talents and to use them in the service of a more vibrant, diverse, and authentic culture.

Line by Line Meaning

We need poets, we need painters
The importance of poetry and paintings in our society cannot be overstated.

We need poetry and paintings...
Not only do we need poets and painters, but we need the art they produce to enrich our lives.

Narrow minds are weapons made for mass destruction
People with limited perspectives can be incredibly dangerous and cause widespread harm.

file them under giant ass seduction
These dangerous people are often easily manipulated and controlled through flattery and charm.

sheep with crazy leaders, heading for disaster
When followers blindly follow unsound leaders, the outcome is usually catastrophic.

courting jesters who take themselves for masters
These leaders are often self-important and value their own egos over the well-being of their followers.

The shrub who took himself for a park
Sometimes people overestimate their own importance and believe they have control over things they do not.

the squeak who took himself for a bark
Others may amplify their own voice and influence, but they are not as powerful as they believe themselves to be.

We need filmers, and writers, dancers, musicians
Artists of all kinds play an important role in our society and contribute to the richness of our culture.

actors, and sculptor, s bakers, electricians
From actors to electricians, every person has something unique to offer and can contribute to the community.

thinkers, and doctors, cyclists, and builders
People from all walks of life, including intellectuals, medical professionals, and physical laborers, have value and should be recognized.

lovers, friends, and neighbours, and others
We should also recognize the importance of personal connections and relationships in our lives.

filmers, writers, dancers, musicians
Artists are essential to our society and should be valued for the beauty and meaning they bring into our lives.

poets, and painters, poets, and painters
Poetry and paintings are especially important art forms that can help us make sense of the world and express the ineffable.

Contributed by Riley K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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