Don't Believe the Hyp(ocrites)

Summary

In 'Don’t Believe the Hyp(ocrites)' by Slow Smile, the narrator critiques societal and political corruption, expressing frustration with hypocrisy, violence, and the exploitation of the working class. The song highlights the contradiction of politicians criticizing others while engaging in harmful practices themselves. The narrator, who refuses to conform to labels like Tory, Liberal, or Communist, reflects on the struggles of those in power, suggesting that the real world is driven by money and self-interest. With a rebellious tone, the song calls out the apathy of politicians and the disillusionment of the masses, all while maintaining a blunt and honest perspective on the chaos of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The narrator reflects on their past actions, involving protests and defiance against authority.
• 😀 The police's hostility and attempts to intimidate the narrator are mentioned, highlighting the oppressive environment.
• 😀 The narrator identifies as an agitator and troublemaker, unafraid to challenge the status quo.
• 😀 The song expresses a critical stance toward politicians, emphasizing their hypocrisy and dishonesty.
• 😀 The narrator’s disillusionment with political parties is clear, rejecting labels like Tory, Liberal, Communist, and Democrat.
• 😀 The working-class community, represented by the narrator, is portrayed as united but skeptical of political power.
• 😀 The narrative points to the contradictions in foreign policy, especially the selling of weapons and its consequences.
• 😀 The hypocrisy of politicians who criticize others but engage in morally questionable actions is a central theme.
• 😀 The song questions the nature of power, pointing out that bankers and financiers often have more influence than citizens.
• 😀 The narrator calls attention to the exploitation of soldiers and the callousness of those in power, symbolized by the body bags and financial transactions.
• 😀 The final sentiment contrasts the narrator's honesty with politicians who, despite being worse, maintain a facade of respectability.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the song 'Don’t Believe the Hyp(ocrites)' by Slow Smile?

The song critiques political hypocrisy and the role of politicians in society, highlighting issues like war, government corruption, and social injustice.

What is the significance of the line 'You’re just antagonising me when I’m trying to do my job'?

This line reflects the frustration of the speaker with authority figures, possibly law enforcement, who view protestors or agitators as troublemakers while they themselves are just doing their jobs.

How does the speaker describe their political views?

The speaker rejects all major political affiliations, stating they are neither Tory, Liberal, Communist, nor Democrat, instead focusing on their own beliefs and actions.

What is the speaker's stance on violence, as presented in the song?

While the speaker acknowledges their involvement in violence and confrontation, they express honesty about their actions, contrasting themselves with politicians who may be more destructive despite appearing more refined.

What message is conveyed by the phrase 'Politicians are ten times worse… it's just that they wear suits'?

The phrase criticizes politicians for being more harmful to society than individuals like the speaker, but their public appearance and suits mask the true nature of their actions.

What is the significance of the line 'We’re selling weapons to anybody who agrees to pay the loan'?

This line addresses the hypocrisy of governments profiting from war by selling weapons, which fuels conflict, while pretending to be concerned about the consequences of such actions.

How does the song critique the relationship between the government and soldiers?

The song suggests that soldiers are treated as expendable, sent to fight and die in foreign conflicts, while the government and financiers profit from the destruction.

What does the speaker mean by 'Apathetic whingeing singer maybe I can hear you say'?

The speaker anticipates criticism of their perspective as being overly negative or apathetic, but they assert that they are simply realistic about the way the world works.

What is the idea behind the phrase 'If you steal what you want your brother has to pay'?

This phrase implies that when one group or person takes what they desire, others—often the innocent—must suffer the consequences, reflecting the injustice and exploitation inherent in society.

What does the speaker mean by 'But if we don’t have a government anarchy would take hold'?

The speaker acknowledges the flaws of the government but also suggests that without it, society would fall into chaos, implying a complex relationship between authority and order.