Song Meaning

The lyrics present a stark, almost frantic narrative of desperation, centered on the repeated imperative: "You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land." This phrase, hammered home with relentless backing vocals, suggests a critical juncture where inaction leads to an unwelcome, possibly catastrophic, displacement. The imagery of "flying" and "sailing" initially evokes a sense of freedom or escape, but it quickly morphs into a precarious state, hinting that this movement is not entirely voluntary or controlled. The mention of "the heart of France" as a place "very accustomed to your visit" adds a layer of weary familiarity, implying a recurring cycle of being pushed out or having to flee. The core tension arises from this forced choice between "kicking the can"—an idiom for delaying or avoiding a decision or problem—and the consequence of "descending in some foreign land." This isn't about proactive travel; it's about avoiding a fall. The lyrics paint a picture of someone on the precipice, where the act of "kicking the can" is the only perceived way to avoid a more severe, involuntary descent. The phrase "landing on a supporter of a swear word" adds a jarring, almost absurdly crude image to this descent, amplifying the sense of hitting rock bottom in a particularly undignified manner. The second section, "F’oldin Money," shifts focus to financial ruin and the elusive nature of wealth. The narrator’s attempts to secure funds from a bank and social services are met with insurmountable requirements and outright denial. The repeated line, "it takes a lotta blue-backs to satisfy my honey," reveals a deep-seated need for money, perhaps to maintain a relationship or a lifestyle, which seems perpetually out of reach. The story of lost savings in a casino and the subsequent legal trouble underscores a life of precariousness and bad luck, all fueled by the desire for this "f-oldin' money." Together, these sections create a powerful portrait of individuals trapped by circumstance, facing eviction from their current reality whether through forced displacement or financial collapse. The relentless repetition of "kick the can" and the desperate pursuit of "f-oldin' money" highlight a cycle of struggle where the immediate, often futile, act of avoidance is the only defense against a harsher, more definitive downfall. The raw, almost desperate tone suggests a profound frustration with systems that offer no support and a life where survival hinges on a constant, exhausting effort to simply stay afloat.

The Fall - Rock

Kick The Can / F’oldin Money / Kick The Can (Live, The Garage, London, 20 April 2002)

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Duration: 8:15

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Liars of all You are flying You are flying You are flying By sailing You gotta kick the can or I'm sailing some foreign land You are sailing And finish up a You're in the heart of France A place very accustomed to your visit A place very accustomed to your visit You are flying You are flying You are flying You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can You gotta kick the can You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land You are landing on a supporter of a swear word Wholly entrenched Entrenched You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land You gotta kick the can You gotta kick the can (backing vox: You gotta kick the can) You gotta kick the can or descend in some foreign land [F-Oldin Money]: I went to the bank just to get a little money When he told me their requirements I started feeling funny He said "You ain't got a house, you ain't got a plot" I ain't got a window and I ain't got a job But it takes a lotta blue-backs to satisfy my honey If I could get my hands on some f-oldin' money Well, I went to the social just to get a little pension I was sorely in distress, I was needing some attention They said you don't get a copper, you don't get a dime That's why I broke his jaw, that's why I'm doin' time But it takes a lotta blue-backs to satisfy my honey If I could get my hands on some f-oldin' money And then I got a letter off a lawyer in the city It said "You gotta come and see me, boy, it really is a pity Those savings you got - in the casino disappeared" And he went out the window real quick, honey! And I'll do it all again but it may sound funny If I could get my hands on some f-oldin' money If I could get my hands on some f-oldin' money Well I went to my banker just to raise a little money He said "I'm glad to see ya", but I started feeling funny He said "You ain't got a house, you ain't got a job" I ain't got a window and I ain't got a plot But it takes a lotta blue-backs to satisfy my honey If I could get my hands on some f-oldin' money F-oldin' money F-oldin' money F-oldin' money F-oldin' money

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Kick The Can / F’oldin Money / Kick The Can (Live, The Garage, London, 20 April 2002)

Kick The Can / F’oldin Money / Kick The Can (Live, The Garage, London, 20 April 2002)

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