Ball And Chain
Wax Lyrics


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I am a working man
Doing the best I can
I toe the line each day

To those who set the pace
I'm just another face
But someday soon I'll lose this
Ball and chain
Everyday's a life of pain
Ball and chain
Feel like I'm dragging round this ball and chain

I'm only flesh and bone
Still they want blood from stone
And they cry more more more

Someday they'll know my name
If I can stand the strain
And I won't have to haul this

Ball and chain
Everyday's a life of pain
Ball and chain
Feel like I'm dragging 'round a ball and chain

Someday I'm gonna break out
And I'll be free
And living in paradise
I won't have to crawl
I'll walk with my head held high

Well day after day
And week after week
They wear you down
'Till you're dead on your feet
And what do you get?
What do you got?
You got nothin'

So you stay where you are
For security sake
You got a family to feed
And pennies to make
It's a damn...

Ball and chain
Everyday's a life of pain
Ball and chain
Feel like I'm dragging round a ball and chain





Ball and chain...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wax's song "Ball and Chain" represent the struggles of a working-class individual. The song begins with the singer explaining that he is an ordinary man who tries his best to live under the norms set by the people who control his life. He feels trapped and unacknowledged, just another face in the crowd. Despite his internal struggles and daily pain, he presses on and keeps up with the spirit of hard work.


The song goes on to explore the idea that the working man is never appreciated enough. No matter how much blood, sweat, and tears he puts into his job, there is always the demand for more. The lyrics reflect the hope that someday the singer's name will be known and he will not have to suffer under the pressure of his current situation anymore. Indeed, it echoes the struggles of many people who give their all to their jobs but receive no recognition.


As the song progresses, the singer's tone changes from defeatist to optimistic. He becomes determined to break free from the status quo and live a life of freedom and happiness. The ball and chain he feels he's been dragging around signifies the weight of his current situation. However, he hopes to break out someday and live his life on his own terms.


Line by Line Meaning

I am a working man
I am an individual who earns my living through employment


Doing the best I can
I am putting forth my utmost effort


I toe the line each day
I conform to the expectations set by my superiors on a daily basis


To those who set the pace
My higher-ups are responsible for establishing the tempo and methods of work


I'm just another face
I am indistinguishable from my peers and colleagues


But someday soon I'll lose this
At a point not too far from now, I shall be liberated


Ball and chain
Symbolic of my exhausting and continuous workload


Everyday's a life of pain
Each day is a struggle to get through


Feel like I'm dragging round this ball and chain
I feel as though I am constantly burdened


I'm only flesh and bone
I am a mere mortal, a human being susceptible to exhaustion and strain


Still they want blood from stone
Even with the limits of my physical and mental capacity, there are always expectations for me to achieve more


And they cry more more more
The expectations for work output are continuously increasing


Someday they'll know my name
Eventually, my work will be recognized and appreciated


If I can stand the strain
If I am able to persevere through the stress and pressure


And I won't have to haul this
In the future, I will not have to carry this burden anymore


Someday I'm gonna break out
At some point, I will be able to escape from this challenging and demanding life


And I'll be free
I will attain personal and professional liberation


And living in paradise
I will be living a lifestyle of contentment and satisfaction


I won't have to crawl
I will not have to submit myself to the wills of others


I'll walk with my head held high
I will have attained personal and professional fulfillment


Well day after day
On a daily basis


And week after week
And on a weekly basis


They wear you down
My superiors gradually exhaust my physical and mental capacity


'Till you're dead on your feet
To the point where I am no longer able to function effectively


And what do you get?
What are the rewards for your work and effort?


What do you got?
What are your current achievements?


You got nothin'
Currently, I do not have much to show for my hard work


So you stay where you are
For the sake of security and predictability, I hesitate to make any significant changes


For security sake
To ensure my job stability


You got a family to feed
I have dependents who rely on my income


And pennies to make
I must work hard to make a living wage


It's a damn...
This is an unpleasant and frustrating situation




Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Halbert Morais

I am a working man
Doing the best I can
I toe the line each day

To those who set the pace
I'm just another face
But someday soon I'll lose this

Ball and chain
Everyday's a life of pain
Ball and chain
Feel like I'm dragging round this ball and chain

I'm only flesh and bone
Still they want blood from stone
And they cry more more more

Someday they'll know my name
If I can stand the strain
And I won't have to haul this

Ball and chain
Everyday's a life of pain
Ball and chain
Feel like I'm dragging 'round a ball and chain
Someday I'm gonna break out
And I'll be free
And living in paradise
I won't have to crawl
I'll walk with my head held high

Well day after day
And week after week
They wear you down
'Till you're dead on your feet
And what do you get?
What do you got?
You got nothin'

So you stay where you are
For security sake
You got a family to feed
And pennies to make
It's a damn...

Ball and chain
Everyday's a life of pain
Ball and chain
Feel like I'm dragging round a ball and chain

Ball and chain...



All comments from YouTube:

Arturo Mendieta

Qué dúo tan infravalorado, que tristeza, magnífica tecnología que hace que su arte llegue a más generaciones y personas y darles el crédito que merecen y se MERECÍAN.

Napplebe

musica legendaria, realmente uma música das alturas....so pra gente que tem bom gosto e cultura

CRAB JAB

I feel almost ashamed of myself as a music lover for not knowing more about Andrew Gold. Sure I loved "Bridge to your heart" and 10CC etc but I been really listening to material the last month.

What a great great man he was. Some people are just born with the nerdy gift of music from the gods and he was one of those souls. So very grateful that WAX were a part of my childhood.

Tony Phillips

I loved 'Lonely Boy' as a kid but I only rediscovered Andrew Gold, and also discovered Graham Gouldman after seeing 10cc this year!! I missed out on so many years but have to be thankful I have now discovered them.

Marcelo S. de Carvalho

Love this band. Love this Song. The 80s still rule!!!

nufcdazzla

This needs to be on iTunes, such an awesome song

Andrew Riddell

Was lucky enough to see them live at The Pavilion in Glasgow, Andrew Gold a musical genius.

David Bull

The kind of song that should have been a massive hit but is instead consigned to complete obscurity. Can't get the tune out of my head it's that good. I've always loved Lonely Boy by Andrew Gold too. He was a rare talent.

Arthax40

siempre supe que este buen Duo seria mas que '' justo entre tus ojos''... tremendo Duo, Was

Lg D390

Que buena banda! por Dios!!!!

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