Expendables' distinctive live performances and unique brand of music. Described as an electric mix of genre-bending rock, reggae and surf. It has begun to charm audiences far and wide. Rapidly approaching status as a full-time touring act, the band is a rising star on the West Coast. To date, The Expendables have performed with in-demand musical acts such as Slightly Stoopid and reggae legend Eek-A-Mouse; they have appeared live on the Vans’ Warped Tour; and hosted their own radio show on The Santa Cruz X 103.9 FM. The Expendables landed number one in the Metro Santa Cruz Top 10 list of favorite bands in local music. In addition, Lion Entertainment and Your Music Magazine awarded the group first place in their Battle of the Bands contest in 2002.
The Expendables have five original full-length albums to their credit:
"No Time to Worry" (2001); "Open Container" (2002); "Gettin' Filthy,” (2006) the polished result of a two-month recording stint at Herbie Herbert’s Sy Klopps Studios in San Francisco; "The Expendables" (2007); and their most recent, "Prove It" (2010).
http://www.myspace.com/theexpendables
http://www.theexpendables.net/
Minimum Wage
The Expendables Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just wanna lie here in bed all day
Working for minimum wage ain't to good of pay
Nowhere I'd rather be
Ouu in the sea, that's where I belong
Maybe with my band
Jammin' on this reggae song
But it's time to go to work now
Maybe Heaven will fall to earth
Better make it quick
I go on through my days
Ouu Like a Man in a drunken haze
Life will find a way no matter what they say
I tossed and turned all night
Ouu and sat in my bed
I try to make it rite
but I forget about it instead
The boss says come in here
But I pretend that I'm asleep
My life is falling falling
I'm in trouble deep
Maybe I'll talk to god
But will he talk to me
And I'm trying to be strong now
But I'm so damn weak
The Expendables' song "Minimum Wage" is an anthem for those feeling stuck in a dead-end job and yearning for something more meaningful. The opening lines express the desire to stay in bed all day, rather than head off to work, especially when the pay is merely minimum wage. The singer vividly describes a longing to be out in the ocean, where the band can play reggae music to their heart's content. However, the reality of the situation is that it is time to get up and go to work, even though the thought of it is disheartening. The mention of heaven falling to earth, though seemingly random, could be a reflection of the singer's thoughts about their current situation, where it feels like they are stuck in a state of limbo with no real end in sight.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses a sense of detachment from their surroundings and their life's circumstances. They describe going through the motions like a drunken haze, suggesting that work, in particular, is monotonous and devoid of meaning. The idea that life will find a way, no matter what others may say, indicates that despite the despair that the singer may be feeling, there is some latent hope that things will eventually turn around for the better. Still, the burden of their current existence weighs heavy, leading them to toss and turn at night and contemplate their current situation.
The song concludes with the singer feigning sleep as their boss tries to wake them, hinting at an unwillingness to participate in a system that they feel traps them. The sudden shift towards religion ("Maybe I'll talk to god, but will he talk to me") highlights the idea that despite feeling forced into a particular way of life, there is still a higher power that could intervene and change the course of things. However, there is a hint of resignation in the final line: "Trying to be strong now, but I'm so damn weak," indicating that the singer may feel powerless to do anything about their situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna go to work
I don't feel motivated to participate in the labor force
I just wanna lie here in bed all day
I desire to stay in bed for an extended period of time
Working for minimum wage ain't too good of pay
The compensation for my work is not satisfactory
Nowhere I'd rather be
There is no place I prefer to exist
Ouu in the sea, that's where I belong
I enjoy being in the ocean
Maybe with my band
Perhaps I will collaborate with my musical group
Jammin' on this reggae song
I am playing music in a reggae style
But it's time to go to work now
However, it is necessary to engage in paid employment at the present moment
Maybe I'll come instead
Perhaps I will delay my arrival to work
Maybe Heaven will fall to earth
A hypothetical situation in which impossible events may occur
Better make it quick
A sense of urgency exists in the situation
I go on through my days
Life continues on a day-to-day basis
Ouu Like a Man in a drunken haze
My existence is similar to that of an inebriated individual
Life will find a way no matter what they say
Regardless of other people's opinions, life will persist
I tossed and turned all night
I was restless throughout the entire night
Ouu and sat in my bed
I then proceeded to remain seated in my bed
I try to make it rite
I attempt to rectify a mistake
but I forget about it instead
However, I fail to recall the correct course of action
The boss says come in here
My employer is requesting my presence
But I pretend that I'm asleep
I feign unconsciousness in order to avoid work
My life is falling falling
I am experiencing a downturn in my personal situation
I'm in trouble deep
I am in a precarious position
Maybe I'll talk to god
Perhaps I will converse with a higher power
But will he talk to me
I question whether or not a higher power will respond to me
And I'm trying to be strong now
I am endeavoring to exhibit strength in my actions
But I'm so damn weak
However, I feel powerless
Contributed by Juliana R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gindy0506
this is absolutely one of my favorite songs. Never gets old
@bartmanfan99
No it does not! I agree, it just never gets old
@2swoley205
Incredible track
@codyrogers9288
The Expendables changed my life. They don't have a single bad song. All are great. Love this one in particular. Sun, rain, snow...the Expendable always satisfy.
@richardharper4637
Expendables 3 was personally my favorite film from the franchise. Changed my life to bud
@dannyboydeluxfromthebigitybay
@Richard Harper lmao I love you bro. That made me laugh during these times
@vadavada7605
After working 50+ hour weeks and finally having my day off, I always crack open a cold one or pack a bowl to this song. Much love to this amazing band and their music. 🤙
@Humble-iq5ue
You and I both! Keep on keeping on and stay strong. There's gonna be tons of bullshit along the way. Keep the music going!
@3m5on
I just can't sleep but I'll have with You guys 🍻
@onefootedwilly174
Great song
Take nothing for granted
Love your life that you think sucks
Vibe on this song, so fresh