He then released two solo albums, 12 Song Program (2010) and Sad Bear (2011), as well as another split album with Joey Cape in 2012, Acoustic Volume 2.
On August 1, 2012 it was announced that he had passed away.
Hey God
Tony Sly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As we watch another store close down
We can't live for four without paying the bank more
For the loans that they will not allow
Today I heard a mother crying I cannot live with this
So be strong, keep your head up fighting
'Cause this is all there is
He's sitting on a bench with his hands over his face
Six months without a job, now the benefits are gone
And the anti-depressants that help him live
Hey god I've got a message for ya
I don't think you exist
It's not just the facts that are stacked against ya
That tell it like it is
If everything happens for a reason
Why are murderers still here?
Children, mothers, dying, broke
Can you make that disappear?
The lyrics of Tony Sly’s song “Hey God” revolve around the issue of the economic crisis and the human suffering that results from it. The song begins by describing the dire financial situation of a country that is suffocating under the weight of debt. With businesses closing down and people struggling to make ends meet, the singer laments the fact that people are being crushed by the loans that banks issue, while offering no assistance when they are unable to repay them. The worsening economic conditions drive many people to despair, with the song describing a mother crying out in desperation, unable to bear the burden of living in such a hopeless situation.
The second part of the song picks up on the story of a man who has lost his job and is struggling to survive. With no benefits or financial support to rely on, he is forced to take anti-depressants to help him cope with his desperate situation. The last verse of the song is a direct appeal to God, and it shows the anger and disappointment of the singer towards a higher power that seems indifferent to the suffering of people in the world. The rhetorical question asked in the lyrics, “Can you make that disappear?” suggests that the singer sees no evidence of divine intervention in the face of terrible human suffering. The song invites us to reflect on some of the big questions of life, such as the existence of God, the meaning of suffering, and the role of fate and chance in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
A country torn to shreds by consolidated debt
The country is in shambles due to its crushing debt problem.
As we watch another store close down
Observing yet another store being shut down.
We can't live for four without paying the bank more
Paying the bank more is mandatory if we expect to live comfortably.
For the loans that they will not allow
It's impossible to get loans due to unreasonably strict restrictions.
Today I heard a mother crying 'I cannot live with this'
A mother cried because of the problematic situation.
So be strong, keep your head up fighting
Endure the struggle and persevere through it.
'Cause this is all there is
This struggle is all that exists.
He's sitting on a bench with his hands over his face
Sitting with his hands over his face, feeling hopeless.
As his daughter moves closer to him
His daughter approaches him for comfort.
Six months without a job, now the benefits are gone
He's been jobless for six months, and any financial support is exhausted by now.
And the anti-depressants that help him live
He's living because of antidepressants.
Hey god I've got a message for ya
A message for the almighty God.
I don't think you exist
The belief in God's existence is skeptical.
It's not just the facts that are stacked against ya
Facts and evidence contradict the idea of his existence.
That tell it like it is
The harsh reality contradicts the idea of his existence.
If 'everything happens for a reason'
If 'everything happens for a reason.'
Why are murderers still here?
An inquiry as to why murderers exist.
Children, mothers, dying, broke
Innocent children and mothers either dead or financially ruined.
Can you make that disappear?
Is it possible to eradicate these human sufferings?
Contributed by Samantha H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
James Scott
RIP Tony thanks for helping me through my teenage years
jaggededges
Great song, this world sucks without u tony.
Kristian Gijón Alavez
Fue un excelente compositor y cantante es una lastima que nunca se le halla dado el valor que se merecia ! :(
Dhalí Cipres
Kristian Gijón Alavez de acuerdo contigo T.T
Julieta Klaar
Su forma de escribir me recuerda mucho a la de Nikola Sarcevic de Millencolin, que te cuentan su vida en sus canciones. Tony era mas de la metafora y ahora que estoy casada puedo entender mas que nada sus dos ultimos discos. Fue un excelente compositor.
Solocriptos arg
DE LOS MEJORES TEMAS DEL CD . TONY NO VA A MORIR NUNCA !
anarchypatrick
rest in peace tony! you are a inspiration to all of us!
nyjeterss
Hey God, Bring back Tony Sly
nevetsnolog
nice tune man!
Kindahuge
If he's out there, he makes us make the good for ourselves... outside of the DNA & all, maybe. Dunno. This is what we've got.