Too Good for the Average Man

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of historical class divisions, contrasting the opulent lives of the elite with the meager existence of the masses. Sergei opens by describing Tsarist Russia, where wealth was concentrated among a few, leaving the majority with "unfortunate asses." Peggy echoes this sentiment with Tudor England, where the "king and his cronies" enjoyed luxuries while the poor subsisted on simple fare. This sets up a cynical refrain: "Sing la and huzzah for the poor folks / As long as the poor folks are your folks," highlighting a conditional, self-serving benevolence from the upper classes. The central tension lies in the ironic assertion that the privileges and even the afflictions of the wealthy are "too good for the average man." This isn't a statement of genuine belief but a biting commentary on how societal structures deny opportunities and even experiences to the working class. The lyrics suggest that things like "caviar for peasants" or the ability to engage in "all night parties, drinking like a lord" are beyond their reach, not because they are inherently unsuitable, but because the system is designed to keep them out. The repeated phrase "It's too good for the average man" becomes a sarcastic indictment of this exclusivity. The most striking craft element is the relentless, ironic application of "too good for the average man" to a wide array of societal elements, from basic sustenance and social activities to more complex issues like "fancy nerves" and "patriotic talk against the red." The lyrics also employ sharp contrasts, such as "finer things are for the finer folk" versus the implied lot of the poor, and the casual "cocktails at Tony's" versus the poor having "baloneys." The juxtaposition of the elite's indulgences and anxieties with the basic struggles of the common people underscores the absurdity of the class system. This song's effectiveness stems from its sharp, cynical wit and its ability to expose hypocrisy through pointed observation. By framing the denied experiences of the poor as things that are "too good" for them, the lyrics don't just describe inequality; they mock the very idea that such disparities are natural or justified. The lyrical voice is not one of sympathy but of sardonic observation, forcing the listener to confront the systemic nature of class limitations and the absurd justifications used to maintain them.