An Examination of “Nugget” by Cake

One of the best songs of all time.  This song is a commentary wrapped in symbolism and analogy.

/Lyrics/

Heads of state who ride and wrangle    

[ These are the Politicians, Lawyers and Corporations they serve]

Who look at your face for more than one angle      

[Weighting the value of your vote (if you will vote) and against the cost of what they have to represent to get your vote.  2 angles cost/benefit.]

Can cut you from their bloated budgets

[Cut social and education programs aimed at the middle class, working poor, and homeless]

Like sharpened knives through chicken mcnuggets      

[Can do it easily, its will cost them very little politically.]

Now, heads of state who ride and wrangle
Who look at your face for more than one angle
Can cut you from their bloated budgets
Like sharpened knives through chicken mcnuggets


(Shut the fuck) up
Yo, shut the fuck up
(Shut the fuck)
Right, right, learn to buck up
(Shut the fuck)
Right, shut the fuck up, hey, ho
(Shut the fuck)
Now, now learn to buck up

 [The voice of the politicians, corporations and the wealthy saying:  Quit whining about your poverty, your hunger, your need, your alienation, your $8/life, your lack of health insurance.  BUCK UP you could fix it if you wanted to. It's your own fault.  We shouldn't have to help you.  You are lazy.]



Now, nimble fingers that dance on numbers

[Analysts, Accountants, MBAs- Servants of the Corporations]


Will eat your children and steal your thunder   

[Will figure out how co-opt more of your effort, time, energy, and also how to keep your children in the same cycle of wage slavery, poverty and debt.]

While heavy torsos that heave and ho

[The heavy lifters of the economy, the people who actually do the work, drive the trucks make the widgets, build the roads]


Will crunch like nuts in the mouths of squirrels 

[Crushed by the Analysts, Accounts Lawyers, Corporations.

Now, nimble fingers that dance on numbers   

[Nimble on a calculator (Analysts/MBA's Accountants)]
Will eat your children and steal your thunder               

[Again, they plot to keep your children in the same cycle of poverty and steal the creative efforts of your work through non-compete agreements, contracts and patent law.]


While heavy torsos that heave and ho
Will crunch like nuts in the mouths of squirrels

(Shut the fuck) up
Yo, shut the fuck up
(Shut the fuck)
Right now learn to buck up
(Shut the fuck)
Right, shut the fuck up yeah, ho! Yow!
(Shut the fuck) Yow! Yow! Yow!
Learn to buck up

Now, simple feet that flicker like fire                           
And burn like candles in smokey fires 

[INDIVIDUALS trapped, burning like candles, separate from others that share their fate.]



Do more to turn my joy to sadness
Than somber thoughts of burning planets        

[The thought of individuals suffering, troubles the commentator more the threat of global catastrophe.]

Now, clever feet that flicker like fire               

[Its clever, intelligent, talented people in this trap, not just lazy]
         
And burn like candles in smokey fires
Do more to turn my joy to sadness
Than somber thoughts of burning planets