Run of the Company

Song Meaning

This track paints a bleak picture of corporate dominance, where individuals are reduced to mere assets. The opening lines immediately set a tone of disillusionment, suggesting that even honesty is exploited within a system governed by a detached "Honoured Chairman of the Board." This figure, seemingly picking "scraps off the floor," embodies a predatory hierarchy where the powerful profit from the desperation of others. The lyrics assert that this is the inescapable reality, "corporate law" that leads to a complete loss of autonomy, leaving people feeling owned. The central tension arises from the narrator's recurring nightmare: "Humans are commodities." This dream highlights a profound sense of dehumanization, where people are not valued for their individuality but for their utility within the corporate structure. The phrase "Born to a loss of control" underscores a feeling of predetermined subjugation, suggesting that this fate is inescapable from birth. The repetition of "Control" emphasizes the overwhelming powerlessness experienced by those caught in this system. The most striking aspect is the chilling concept of the "Run of the company." This phrase, repeated insistently, implies a scenario where the company's unchecked interests dictate everything, overriding human value. The lyrics suggest that this realization dawns too late, "Till it's in front of your eyes," when one is already "inside of the plan" and beholden to "the man." The dream-like quality of the central metaphor, "I dream daily," adds a layer of psychological distress, indicating that this oppressive reality is a constant, haunting presence for the narrator. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their stark, unvarnished portrayal of systemic exploitation. By framing human existence as a commodity and corporate power as an all-consuming force, the song creates a visceral sense of dread. The simple, declarative statements and the relentless repetition of key phrases like "commodities" and "Run of the company" hammer home the feeling of inescapable control and the erosion of individual worth within a profit-driven world.