Tomas Kalnoky (born December 24, 1980) is a Czech-born American musician. H… Read Full Bio ↴Tomas Kalnoky (born December 24, 1980) is a Czech-born American musician. He is the lead singer/guitarist and songwriter of the bands Streetlight Manifesto and Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution,[1] and goes by the pseudonym Toh Kay as a solo performer.[2] He is the former lead singer/guitarist for 3rd-wave ska band Catch 22, but left the band after making only one album (their debut, Keasbey Nights) to attend Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, for visual art.[3] According to the booklet of Somewhere in the Between, Kalnoky attended Rutgers University. He is the owner of Pentimento Music Company, a record company.

Toh Kay is a solo project by Streetlight Manifesto, Bandits of the Acoutsic Revolution and former Catch 22 front man, Tomas Kalnoky. The project started with acoustic shows by Kalnoky, redoing streetlight/catch/BOTAR/Gimp songs. It was announced that Toh Kays first album (You By Me Vol.1) was to be released in November as a split with singer-song writer Dan Potthast. You By Me Vol.1 was released Novmber 15th, with 5 Toh Kay tracks (which are all covers of Potthast songs).
Toh Kay released his first full length "Streetlight Lullabies" through Pentimento Music Co. on November 22nd, 2011. Released along with the CD was an LP version and a 7" single of the song, "We Will Fall Together" on the A side and "Hooray For Me" (a Bad Religion cover) on the B side. The album can be purchased through The Risc Store - www.RiscStore.com

Downtown
Toh Kay Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When we go downtown
We never pay the tax
We'd rather go to jail
Than to pay those dirty rats

Would you tax me on my songs?
Would you tax my friends if they sang along?
Dirty bar owners, politicians

Taking money from musicians

I'm so tired of this bullshit
I just know they'll never make me quit

Overall Meaning

Toh Kay's "Downtown" is a song about the struggles and frustrations faced by musicians when it comes to the music industry and the people who try to profit off their hard work. In the first verse, the lyrics refer to tax evasion as a form of rebellion against those who would take advantage of musicians. The second verse speaks to the idea that even something as personal as music is subject to the greedy hands of corporations and politicians who seek to exploit it for their own gain. The repetition of the phrase "dirty rats" throughout the song shows a clear disdain for those who would prey on the art and livelihood of musicians.

At its core, "Downtown" is a rallying cry for artists to stand up against those who seek to exploit their work. Though the lyrics are sharp and angry, the song's overall tone is one of perseverance and determination. Toh Kay clearly states his refusal to be beaten down by the music industry's often unforgiving nature, and implores other musicians to do the same.

In addition to its powerful message, "Downtown" has a unique sound that blends elements of punk, reggae, and ska to create a memorable and lively track. The song's driving rhythm and catchy chorus make it an anthem for anyone who has ever felt frustrated by an industry that seems to value profit over artistic integrity.

Line by Line Meaning

When we go downtown
Whenever we go to the city center

We never pay the tax
We refuse to pay government levies

We'd rather go to jail
We prefer to be imprisoned than pay the imposed taxes

Than to pay those dirty rats
We consider the tax collectors as corrupt officials

Would you tax me on my songs?
Do you plan to impose taxes on the music I make?

Would you tax my friends if they sang along?
Will you also tax those who sing with me?

Dirty bar owners, politicians
Unethical bar managers and elected officials

Taking money from musicians
Stealing revenue from artists

I'm so tired of this bullshit
I'm exhausted of dealing with this unfairness

I just know they'll never make me quit
Despite their greed, I won't give up my passion for music

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

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@miguelangelgiraldoramirez6082

6y↑2

When we go downtown
We never pay the tax
We'd rather go to jail
Than to pay those dirty rats

Would you tax me on my songs?
Would you tax my friends if they sang along?
Dirty bar owners, politicians
Taking money from musicians

I'm so tired of this bullshit
I just know they'll never make me quit

All comments from YouTube:

@brennanchaudhry8925

9y↑3

Toh Kay's "You By Me" albums are just wow. So great.

@BUCollegeDems

13y↑2

I'm blown away. TohKay is such a good musician.

@natestain7103

7y↑3

Best song ever thank you Dan and Tomas.

@chrisegg7936

11y↑6

MU330 is Dan's ska band from a billion years ago. They still play occasionally.

@johnrazzano6150

3y↑2

This is a great jam!

@OleafTheRebel

11y↑2

The revolution will not be televised But sung by the great Tomas Kalnoky<3

@botarakutabi1199

7y↑7

I think I came near the end, this songs guitar and piano pieces were a sexual journey.

@westinhess6864

9y↑15

we're all pirates for liking this

@kylehass8753

8y↑7

the title of this is great becuase Tomas and Dan sing each other's music so it's you by me

@brandonwolfe7058

8y↑1

who is this dan person?

@kylehass8753

8y↑1

Idk but toh Kay sings with him

@TheSnowwman

8y↑1

Dan P and Toh Kay both cover each others songs.

Hence, You By Me.

@fexcasanova

Kenneth Snowden I know this is a split between Thomas n Dan, but who is singing this particular song???sounds like Chris and Roger it is them?

@manilupativ8089

Thomas

@Evan11of10

8y↑15

If he sang this song today, he'd replace politicians with "Victory Records"

@joaovictor3312

whats the deal with victory records?

@Evan11of10

7y↑2

They're suing Streetlight Manifesto. The gist of it is that Victory's claiming that they didn't produce the amount of records that their contract specified. Streetlight claims that they did, if you count their cover albums (Keasbey Nights and 99 Songs of Revolution). Victory says that there was an agreement that cover albums didn't count. Then Streetlight was all like "Nuh-uh!" and Victory was all like ""Yuh-huh!" and now it's going to court.

@joaovictor3312

I do think that cover albums do not count as legitimate studio albums, they're more like compilations

@miguelbautistaperez7903

I think that Victory Records only tries to despicably get more money from those artist. Music should be free.

@sk8rguy4life1123

13y↑2

30 likes, 0 dislikes...yah lets keep it that way

@OscarWildeBoi

13y↑1

@rocketgem79 I believe this is off a Tomas Kalnoky (Toh Kay) and Dan Potthast (Dan P) collaboration album. Might not be a try at starting a solo career, but rather something he simply felt like doing in between Streetlight/BOTAR related things.

@Squirrelybomb49

12y↑1

Because it's one of the better ones.

@trebot9292266

12y↑1

this song FKING OWNS

@that1vulture117

10y↑4

is there a tab sheet for this song out there? would love to learn to play it

@Fran77

cant believe he changed the 'would to tax me if i farted" line how could he

@shs1superfan

13y

@ThexInsidexMan This is a song by Dan Potthast, singer of MU330 and The Stitch Up. He and Tomas Kalnoky did a split cd where they each covered 5 songs by the other person any way they want.

@skadd4life

8y↑3

MU330 <3<3<3

@goodtimesontoob

13y

@ThexInsidexMan BOTAR is Tomas' band that is meant to have A LOT of instruments.

@Immafishstick

11y

And so he did.

@miguelangelgiraldoramirez6082

6y↑2

12y

Because Tomas didn't right this, Dan P did. Hence the name "You by me"

@CASHXRAT

Anyone know Francis Fukuyama's stupid book, "The End of History"?

Well in the same way, but actually correct in this case, this shit is the End of Music. Streetlight and Toh Kay.

@SamJoeBillyBob

12y

You had to say something.

@Rjmorg

13y

@Realrpg People like me? I buy my CD's, Nice try though. And as for taxes, why should they be exempt, Because they aren't played on the radio? That's very logical. That's like saying everyone that isn't isn't popular can have friends because they aren't likeable.

@Masterofalleffects

12y

oops...

@Rjmorg

13y

Why should you be exempt from taxes? Cause you make music? Well, I found the cure for aids and they tax me. You know why there is tax, so we can pay for roads, and the fire department, and water, and parks, and nice things...

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