The Last Century for Man

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of humanity at a critical juncture, labeling it "the beginning of the last century for man." This opening sets a tone of impending doom, immediately juxtaposed with the casual exploitation of global resources and people. The narrator points to the "wretched of the earth exploited by the rich few," questioning "What's new?" This rhetorical question highlights a cyclical pattern of injustice and consumption that seems to be accelerating towards an end. The core tension arises from the narrator's call for outrage, stating, "If you are not outraged / You haven't been paying attention." This implies a deliberate blindness or willful ignorance to the world's problems, particularly the systemic exploitation and environmental degradation. The repeated, almost ironic, blessings of various nations – "God bless America, I mean it," "God bless the UK, I mean it" – underscore a deep cynicism. These blessings are followed by "God help us all," suggesting that even divine favor might be insufficient against humanity's self-destructive path. A striking element is the contrast between the grand pronouncements of national blessings and the base, self-serving actions described later. The lyrics detail a relentless pursuit of pleasure and gain: "Eat all we can / Drink all we can / Use all we can / Dow what we can / Screw all we can." This hedonistic, unsustainable drive is framed as a desperate attempt to "feel alive" within this final century, epitomized by the urge to "Gas up the 4 wheel drive!" The narrator seems to be observing, perhaps participating in, a final, frantic surge of consumption before the inevitable collapse. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their blunt, unflinching portrayal of a society consuming itself. The repeated, almost chant-like, blessings and the list of selfish actions create a disquieting rhythm that mirrors the relentless march towards an end. The narrator's detached, yet urgent, tone forces the listener to confront the possibility that this is not a distant threat, but a present reality, and that the current trajectory is unsustainable.