What Could Go Wrong?

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of extreme, almost naive, confidence and self-congratulation. The opening lines immediately establish a sense of triumph, with "approval 62!" and "God, they really love us!!" setting a tone of unbridled success. This initial elation suggests a moment where the speakers feel they have overcome all obstacles and reached a peak of public adoration and personal achievement. The central tension, or rather the dramatic irony, lies in the repeated, almost desperate, refrain: "What could go wrong?". This question, posed in the face of overwhelming success and declared "scandal free" status, hangs heavy with foreboding. The lyrics pile on declarations of victory and future plans, like "make peace in the Middle East" and "help Al Gore to win four more," all while the question of potential failure looms large, unacknowledged by the speakers. The craft here is in the relentless repetition and the stark contrast between the stated reality and the implied future. The sheer number of times "What could go wrong?" is uttered, especially by the collective "COMPANY," amplifies the sense of denial. It’s as if the question itself is meant to ward off any negative possibilities, a verbal charm against the unknown. The specific, almost boastful, list of future accomplishments further highlights the precariousness of their position. This lyrical construction is effective because it creates a palpable sense of dramatic irony for the listener. The unwavering certainty of the speakers, juxtaposed with the audience's likely awareness of historical events, makes their pronouncements feel hollow and their confidence tragic. The lyrics capture a fleeting moment of perceived invincibility, making the inevitable fall, hinted at by the insistent question, all the more potent.