@Frutoses That wasn't capitalism that was corporate socialism. Once again, socialism and statism go hand in hand. If only your brain was bigger then your mouth you would know this.
@SlypherSpoons Are you saying the song makes no sense then? They're talking about capitalism in 1983. Are you saying that in 25 years capitalism has been changed by corporate socialism? What a moron.
theme song for capitalism coming from this band.... same band band who has the theme song of the PEDOBEAR... "I like little girls, they make me feel soo bad"
The year is WAY off on this song! First full length album . . . Only a Lad . . . 1980 . . . this song is on that album. AWESOME band and album and song!
I laughed when I found out that this was on the list of 50 great conservative songs. Though by reading the lyrics only this is true, the vocals are sung in satire showing how annoying conservatives are, even if they may have a point. Danny himself even claimed it was a satire in an interview. In truth this song shows the bad points of both the left and right wings and how silly politics are.
@Digikid313 first I know it is politically incorrect to state facts that are true. First the song goe's about saying that people who critize capitalism, their mouths are bigger then their brains.
Hello everybody, did anyone here come to this link because of his PoliticalCompass result ?... I ask this 'cuz I got the purple, Right Libertarian quadrant :)
@donuthead551 Capitalism has done more to reduce poverty and improve people's standard of living. I use to be a socialist, until I met friends in college who got me to question my beliefs and I began studying economics on my own a lot, and changed my views.
@TheThreeHundredHemi Yeah, finally some sense, I go the link by POliticalCompass and I got Authoritarin Right but saw the libertarian Right song and I clicked on it.
I'm a liberal and I agree. There's nothing wrong with Capitalism so long as it has a minimal amount of regulation to protect worker's rights and the environment. Communism is a pretty big failure.
I think it's important to consider that whatever he said or wrote at the time is overshadowed by a fact he's admitted in later years, which is that he was out to offend everybody. He often wrote songs from the perspective of a made-up character, not his own, and just wanted to piss off as many people as possible. Which, considering the arguments in the comments, he has certainly succeeded in doing.
@Ararita even though he says this, I for one do not believe its entirely true. He's much too sharp and possesses quite an imaginative if not artistic mind to my observation.It would be silly to think that he was that limited given what he created. Just my opinion of course and a huge fan. Peace
@JUICEthGRID A creative mind doesn't have to limit itself with anything, including its own opinion. If he felt like picking out a subject that would piss people off, he might have done just that. To stir things up. Let's not forget this song is on the same record as Little Girls, and I hope you won't disagree that that song is very unlikely to be a reflection of the artist's true opinions. Just because he's a genius doesn't mean he can't do things for shits and giggles.
why do people feel the need to focus on who does not like a song. who cares? people are entitiled to like or dislike what they want. there is some sick twisted shit in this record but nevertheless a cool record to listen to.
@MySheroniak Read all of my comments. I'm not posting any more and I know what I'm saying. Don't use an attempt to gain clarity as an opportunity to insult someone.
@maplebob23 --large-scale participatory democracy to exist for very long without it crumbling into a society marked by an imbalance of power and influence.
@maplebob23 I don't see how capitalism could ever truely exist in a grassroots, collective, true democratic manner. A Capitalist society would always exist as a republic and an oligarchy and is incompatible with a true democratic society. (I say true democratic society because so-called democratic republics are not democracy at all). People aren't evolved enough to work collectively to better society instead of just themselves or a specific group, so it would be very difficult for a--
@zenvidar Can you please give an explaination as to what you think capitalism is? It seems by your statements that you dont really understand what it means. Not that I'm disagreeing with you , I just want some clarity here. I ussually try to understand everything I am talking about before I make an opinion on something.
@zenvidar Sorry , its just you made statements with out explainations of how and why you come to those conclusions. Also I think its lame that your posts have been removed. I think you have a right to your opinions and they shouldn't be censored. I certainly would not try and insult you, maybe just respectfully disagree. We all want happyness for all people and different people have different ideas on how that goal can be achieved, if at all. Please don't be upset with me friend.
Does capitalism have problems? Of course, but so does communism, socialism, democracy, anarchy, fundamentalism, conservatism, liberalism, fascism, Despotism and many other "isms" & "y's". Are there good things about all of these systems? Of course, but the point is capitalism. There's nothing wrong with making money, but there is something wrong with large banks and stockbrokers taking money from you because they can, and don't tell me: "this never really happens", because it does.
@MySheroniak "@MrTrty5 Finally someone with an objective opinion.
MySheroniak 2 hours ago"
The word opinion is subjective by definition and thus your statement is an oxymoron. I would get into the discussion of objectivity with you, but it seems you're an internet troll.
@zenvidar whats an internet troll? I just read a post that I liked and said something. I'm sorry that my statement hurt your feelings. I will take your opinion on the my statement to heart. If you see my name in future posts please feel free to ignore them.
@MySheroniak I didn't see that you replied twice to me. That's okay, thank you for that apology, even if it wasn't something I earned. ^^ I would not ignore your future posts but give them more thought and take them to heart, especially now that I see your character is very much the opposite of my original assumptions. :) I would be more than happy to discuss various sociopolitical issues with you in private messages. Take care.
@MySheroniak I try to be objective and logical as possible. I try my absolute best to not throw around lame-ass insults. I think there are pro's and con's with EVERY school of thinking and militant support or opposition of any of them is silly in my opinion.
@MrTrty5 I can see your still hurt over my first post. I apologize if what I said was interpreted as an insult. I honestly did not mean it as one. I glad to see you think objectively too. This will be my swan song friend. Its been nice to "troll" with you. Have a good one.
@Yetem1234 Ah, yes, of course, the opposing side is just a bunch of blithering idiots, definitely not a bunch of people who happen to think differently from you.
Elfman is just another confused Yank. Listen to this and then listen to Perfect System from the same LP and you'll find that the "Perfect System" he so satirically decries is the very one "Capitalism" promotes. And this LP was as good as Oingo Boingo ever got.
Capitalism is merely monetary exchange for goods and services. 'Perfect System' seems to refer more to Communism, and the uniformity of collectivism. Besides supporting a capitalist system doesn't necessitate that someone should stop criticising their own government, lest they be 'confused'.
I highly doubt he said GangS of Four when it's GANG (with no 'S') Of Four! And I agree completely with some people on here, there IS nothing wrong with capitalism! I have a problem with corporatism and the government, but nothing's wrong with capitalism
Are you a socialist? Are you a German? Are you a German Socialist? Wow, how's that legacy working out for you? My point was, I don't like socialists. So, I like to remind people who they are, whenever I can ... It's called freedom of speech. Do you have a problem? That's right, you don't ... That's what I thought. Pleasure speaking with you. Good night.
@Thomcalhoun I have no problem with freedom of speech, I'm simply using mine to correct your incorrect statements.
Also the legacy of actual German socialism seems to be going pretty well. From a 2009 Spiegel article, "57 percent, or an absolute majority, of eastern Germans defend the former East Germany. 'The GDR had more good sides than bad sides...' say 49 percent of those polled. Eight percent of eastern Germans flatly oppose all criticism of their former home...'"
@Mrdie How is that different than how the majority of Germans approved of Nazi Germany's policies both during the regime and shortly after its collapse?
Of course opinions later changed, and I'm not morally comparing the GDR to the Nazis-- but arguments based on popularity are problematic
@promisedeyes Probably because Nazi Germany's economic successes were ultimately based on constructing the necessary war machine needed to build an empire through conquest and slave labor, and were also based on promoting the Germans as the "master race."
@Mrdie So... now you not only deny that National Socialism is a form of socialism but you also defend Soviet/Communist East Germany? You're messed up.
@Tuhljin H.A. Heinz, pro-Hitler, wrote in 'Germany's Hitler': "Adolf Hitler’s Socialism—is a totally different thing from what is generally understood by this term, from the Socialism derived from Marxian and Communistic theory... German Socialism tends to draw all sections of the nation closely together, international socialism initiates class war." In the book 'Hitler's Official Programme': "National Socialism recognizes private ownership in principle, and places it under State protection."
@Tuhljin Last time I checked East Germany didn't start the Holocaust or base its entire economy more or less on forging an empire out of wars of conquest. Maybe you can correct me. The Berlin Wall wasn't nice, but it also wasn't Auschwitz, nor does the Stasi top the Gestapo.
hogwash, Elfman uses satire and sarcasim a lot in his music.. If you compare this song with those others you can quickly see that this one is more serious attitude and less satire.. I know the people this song hits.. and it fits them to a T.
@Thomcalhoun East Germany was officially known as the German Democratic Republic, what's your point? The NSDAP (aka Nazis) protected private property and denounced Marxism. The "radical" wing of Nazism, led by the Strasser brothers, was opposed to Hitler. Ernst Röhm, who led the "working-class" wing of the NSDAP, was killed in 1934 at Hitler's orders. The US pledge of allegiance was written by a "Christian Socialist" named Francis Bellamy. His "socialism" was alien to both Marxism and Nazism.
I have a new respect for Oingo Boingo after reading the lyrics for this song. Great message. Rare to find a song that criticizes socialism or anything of the like.
“There’s nothing wrong with Capitalism / There’s nothing wrong with free enterprise. . . . You’re just a middle class, socialist brat / From a suburban family and you never really had to work.”
I think you are wrong and Danny's earlier comments don't rule this out as a satire. It is impossible to listen to this song, knowing Danny and not think it's wildly exaggerated. This is the same person who made fun of Danny Quayle and threatened to leave us if Sarah Palin was to become vice president. He probably doesn't meant all this stuff literally.
In any case, there is a big difference between Communism and Socialism.
The message of this song always struck me as a poke against those snobby ultra-left yuppies taking up anti-capitalism, rebelling without any real clue. It reminds me of an aging Australian woman I met once who declared herself a Communist in the 1960's, but changed her views after visiting Egypt (which was never Communist).
Hmmm this combined with songs like "Only A Lad" sure seem very right of center to me... views can change but this body of work really isn't left leaning.
Wow, I've just discovered this band and it is AWESOME. It's a really big surprise for me, that Danny Elfman wasn't such a big douche like he is now, he was actually cool!
There's nothing wrong with either capitalism or communism in their truest, purest forms.
The problem with both of these is that of greed. Greed ruins everything, whether you are left or right. Both need fairness and democracy, in order to function properly.
@JewMan7493 Not at all, all I said was that you need a fair balance between socialism and capitalism - the happy medium if you like. I'd certainly never punish anybody for making a success of their lives, moreover if I was in charge I'd stop people from taking from 'the system' if they refused to give anything back in return.
The only solution is that both the state and capitalism be completely abolished and all pigs, whether they are corporate pigs or politician pigs, be executed.
The only solution is that both the state and capitalism be comepletly abolished and all pigs, whether they are corporate pigs or politician pigs, be executed.
Aside from criticisms for or against Capitalism, I am absolutely in love with his depiction of the "middle-class socialist brat". I know so many rich kids who don't know what they're talking about that claim to advocate communism and oppose their own country, when capitalism has handed them every damn thing they have.
@AngusRocker22 And I know people from every single social class and income level who don't know shit about anything. That's planet earth.
But the song is targeting one specific TYPE of hypocrit. The middle class kid whose conservative dad probably bought their car and put them through college and they try to say the government is so evil and awful, and the just don't know what the fuck they're talking about. And I think that's a brand of hypocrisy that's honestly not called out ENOUGH.
@SirWilliamAlmasy what does capitalism have to do with how successful your parents were.....the kid isn't getting anything handed to him(unless the parents spoil them....but it's coming from the parents) from the government. I'm an egalitarian(by your definition a socialist) i don't see any boundaries except people who do good and people who do bad, and THAT is how people should be placed into "classes"(i quotation mark it because we are all human, there is no difference but what the mind sets)
A.) In our society, the financially successful are people who got that way because of capitalism.
B.) For the most part, these people put their children through college, buy them cars, and basically do everything for them.
C.) These children don't know JACK SHIT about what the working class goes through and wouldn't last a day in a communist society, but suddenly they think they're Che fucking Guevara.
@SirWilliamAlmasy excuse me, i didin't mean for that to be a personal statement, when i said "your definition" i was referring to the majority of societies interpretation(well more like the image that the media want's you to piece together when people speak of being equal)....i should have been less vague with that....true egalitarianism is impossible, and that is why i proposed people being placed into classes according to whether they do good or bad(but without becoming africa of course lol)
@maplebob23 I wouldn't say that capitalism in its pure form has no problems, but with an adequate-but-not-overdone government it's much better any socialist government that has existed on this planet. So I generally agree.
@maplebob23 That's a bit simplistic, no? I think capitalism is an all right system but it certainly has some flaws. For one it empathises short-term personal gain too much, sometimes at the cost of long-term societal gain.
@Merluzz I just came back from working in China over the summer and got to see how bad things really are over there. You have no clue what you are talking about.
@Merluzz Have you looked up the average yearly income for Chinese people? It's not even over 5,000 USD a year, do you want to live on that? I read in Wired magazine that at an Ipod factory over there they had to put up suicide nets around the building to catch the jumpers. Tell me China isn't suffering.
@Merluzz Because they billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have sweet deals with our government concerning marries on their exports to the US. Then, most rural Chinese are dirt poor, many more are in prison.
@Merluzz Because they billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have sweet deals with our government concerning marries on their exports to the US.
@Merluzz Because they get billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have deals with our government concerning tariffs on their exports to the US.
@Merluzz Because they get billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have deals with our government concerning tariffs on their exports to the US.
@maplebob23 "big government and businessmen who seek political favors" - that's modern capitalism. An idea that is flawed at its nature but in its infancy isn't dangerous. But today's capitalism is all about getting power, keeping power and keeping others from power. Modern capitalism is essentially feudalism, plantation lords (rich), lower nobility (mid to upper middle class) and the serfs (lower middle class and those in poverty). A class system only exists to segregate power and diminish--
@maplebob23 --the availability for fair opportunity. We don't have a free market where anyone can be successful. It's designed so only a rare few can go from nothing to riches, but those very stories help fuel the belief that if you try, you will make it in life. But yes, i agree that big government, partially run in the shadows by corporate influence is quite a problem. I'm just saying that it's only inevitable that such a thing would happen with a capitalist society.
I think after the question mark in the line "What do you know about suffering and pain..." - sounds like he says ".... you dumb-f*ck..." Classic! Also I don't think some posting on here really get the concept of social satire through music.
Satire or not, there are truths in everything so at the same time you have to remember the goal of musicians...fame, fortune, etc. There's nothing wrong with that and he is quite right saying "theres nothing wrong with making A profit, theres nothing wrong with wanting to live nice" and thats true. So while he may be saying that greed is bad, he is trying to excuse his "meager" earnings by being a musician.
People are always shouting "socialism" these days. The right wing fans these fires anytime someone suggests that the fact that 1% of Americans have 95% 0f the wealth might not be a good thing. Nobody called Eisenhower a socialist when we had a top tax bracket of 90%
@thefladge Where do you get those statistics? I hear people quote stuff like that all the time and whenever I look up information about it it's never close to that drastic. Where'd you find that 1% of the population has 95% of the wealth?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
For everyone who wants to defend this guy, know that Oingo Boingo made a song called "Little Girls". Guess what it's about? Yes, it's what your thinking.
i dont know why every one hates it but i love capitalism in fact youtube is capitalism lol
morgunism 2 days ago
That awkward feeling when in later years capitalism slaps you in the face with the same c**k you've been sucking on.
Frutoses 3 weeks ago
@Frutoses That wasn't capitalism that was corporate socialism. Once again, socialism and statism go hand in hand. If only your brain was bigger then your mouth you would know this.
SlypherSpoons 3 weeks ago
@SlypherSpoons Are you saying the song makes no sense then? They're talking about capitalism in 1983. Are you saying that in 25 years capitalism has been changed by corporate socialism? What a moron.
Frutoses 3 weeks ago
@Frutoses No. That was Corporatism. Any time the government is dipping it's hand into fixing the market, it's not free market capitalism.
FiveofHearts1 4 days ago
Capitalist pigs.
Blurtex33 3 weeks ago
@Blurtex33 Commie.
DLAbaoaqu 3 weeks ago
theme song for capitalism coming from this band.... same band band who has the theme song of the PEDOBEAR... "I like little girls, they make me feel soo bad"
66ALicEiNCHaiNS06 4 weeks ago
@66ALicEiNCHaiNS06 That song is based off what he noticed back then.Middle aged guys riding with 18 19 year old girls.
ridely700 4 days ago
The year is WAY off on this song! First full length album . . . Only a Lad . . . 1980 . . . this song is on that album. AWESOME band and album and song!
jubjub2112 1 month ago
I laughed when I found out that this was on the list of 50 great conservative songs. Though by reading the lyrics only this is true, the vocals are sung in satire showing how annoying conservatives are, even if they may have a point. Danny himself even claimed it was a satire in an interview. In truth this song shows the bad points of both the left and right wings and how silly politics are.
Digikid313 1 month ago
@Digikid313 first I know it is politically incorrect to state facts that are true. First the song goe's about saying that people who critize capitalism, their mouths are bigger then their brains.
Atlasshrugging18 1 month ago
@Atlasshrugging18 Uh this is obviously satire. I bet you watch the Colbert Report and agree with everything he says as well
GhetoGeek 1 month ago
@GhetoGeek I do not watch the Colbert Report and I definitly do not agree with what he says, and by the way isn't Colbert a big liberal.
Atlasshrugging18 1 month ago
I need to get back to my struggling masses. Lots of suffering and pain to catch up on.
JohnDavenportJunior 1 month ago
ok with me...im enjoying it too....
SHMILY43 1 month ago
i'm physically enjoying this. is that ok?
KiriSakisan 1 month ago
Hello everybody, did anyone here come to this link because of his PoliticalCompass result ?... I ask this 'cuz I got the purple, Right Libertarian quadrant :)
TheThreeHundredHemi 1 month ago
@TheThreeHundredHemi Right Libertarian! *fist bump*
donuthead551 1 month ago
@donuthead551 Right-wing *fist bump*
Atlasshrugging18 1 month ago
@Atlasshrugging18 Not too many of us around nowadays with these Occupy people.
donuthead551 1 month ago
@donuthead551 I know! If only we can push some rationality in these Occupy people! Capitalism rocks!!!
Atlasshrugging18 1 month ago
Comment removed
germany10 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@donuthead551 Capitalism has done more to reduce poverty and improve people's standard of living. I use to be a socialist, until I met friends in college who got me to question my beliefs and I began studying economics on my own a lot, and changed my views.
germany10 1 week ago
@TheThreeHundredHemi Yeah, finally some sense, I go the link by POliticalCompass and I got Authoritarin Right but saw the libertarian Right song and I clicked on it.
Atlasshrugging18 1 month ago
Michael Moore? Listening?
DLAbaoaqu 2 months ago
Let's occupy WALL Street and DO NOTHING!!!!! Really? The one woman who was fired had her resume' and got a $75K job because SHE ACTED!!!
davidvollmar 2 months ago
Successful troll is successful.
fapfapfaphandbananaf 2 months ago
I'm a liberal and I agree. There's nothing wrong with Capitalism so long as it has a minimal amount of regulation to protect worker's rights and the environment. Communism is a pretty big failure.
cubicgirrrl 2 months ago 3
This rocks!
mjo40 3 months ago
Satire or not, it is the truth! What the hell do you know about suffering and pain ... you middle class socialist Brat!! - You gotta love it.
WeknowhoUR 3 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Oingo Boingo
I think it's important to consider that whatever he said or wrote at the time is overshadowed by a fact he's admitted in later years, which is that he was out to offend everybody. He often wrote songs from the perspective of a made-up character, not his own, and just wanted to piss off as many people as possible. Which, considering the arguments in the comments, he has certainly succeeded in doing.
Ararita 3 months ago 14
@Ararita Danny Elfman: Expert Troll
Awesome! I love him even more now.
VIOLATER9000 3 months ago
@Ararita even though he says this, I for one do not believe its entirely true. He's much too sharp and possesses quite an imaginative if not artistic mind to my observation.It would be silly to think that he was that limited given what he created. Just my opinion of course and a huge fan. Peace
JUICEthGRID 2 months ago
@JUICEthGRID A creative mind doesn't have to limit itself with anything, including its own opinion. If he felt like picking out a subject that would piss people off, he might have done just that. To stir things up. Let's not forget this song is on the same record as Little Girls, and I hope you won't disagree that that song is very unlikely to be a reflection of the artist's true opinions. Just because he's a genius doesn't mean he can't do things for shits and giggles.
Ararita 2 months ago
@Ararita Danny Elfman was an early form of a troll lol
Monsterd247 6 days ago
why do people feel the need to focus on who does not like a song. who cares? people are entitiled to like or dislike what they want. there is some sick twisted shit in this record but nevertheless a cool record to listen to.
Danielboulder1 3 months ago
go purple square I hate how green squares confuse us with blue. anyone else got here via politcal compass?
fbibarbie 3 months ago
I can't tell if if this is supposed to be sarcastic or not.
AzuAtoms 3 months ago
@AzuAtoms
That's its value, though I appreciate it I'm somewhat socialist
Neurodisco77 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
"Your just a middle class, socialist brat" that sums up OWS methinks.
HokkaidoNightfire 3 months ago
It's true...there's nothing wrong with Capitalism...there IS something wrong with Corporatism though.
MattAHTatTat 4 months ago 31
This has been flagged as spam show
@MySheroniak Read all of my comments. I'm not posting any more and I know what I'm saying. Don't use an attempt to gain clarity as an opportunity to insult someone.
zenvidar 4 months ago
The thing that distinquishes humans from all other animals is that we "want"...
whiteboyfunk1 4 months ago
Someone should play this to the Occupy Wall street protestors
willscomix 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@maplebob23 --large-scale participatory democracy to exist for very long without it crumbling into a society marked by an imbalance of power and influence.
zenvidar 4 months ago
Comment removed
zenvidar 4 months ago
@maplebob23 I don't see how capitalism could ever truely exist in a grassroots, collective, true democratic manner. A Capitalist society would always exist as a republic and an oligarchy and is incompatible with a true democratic society. (I say true democratic society because so-called democratic republics are not democracy at all). People aren't evolved enough to work collectively to better society instead of just themselves or a specific group, so it would be very difficult for a--
zenvidar 4 months ago
@zenvidar Can you please give an explaination as to what you think capitalism is? It seems by your statements that you dont really understand what it means. Not that I'm disagreeing with you , I just want some clarity here. I ussually try to understand everything I am talking about before I make an opinion on something.
MySheroniak 4 months ago
Comment removed
zenvidar 4 months ago
Comment removed
zenvidar 4 months ago
@zenvidar Sorry , its just you made statements with out explainations of how and why you come to those conclusions. Also I think its lame that your posts have been removed. I think you have a right to your opinions and they shouldn't be censored. I certainly would not try and insult you, maybe just respectfully disagree. We all want happyness for all people and different people have different ideas on how that goal can be achieved, if at all. Please don't be upset with me friend.
MySheroniak 4 months ago
For the 99%'rs.
gerkins1 4 months ago
Recommended here from "Political Compass". My quadrant has the best music.
Ichiboy900 4 months ago
@Ichiboy900 : Haha, I discovered it because of the Political Compass too ! I got the purple quadrant, with L/R 6.50 and L/A -3.95 :)
TheThreeHundredHemi 4 months ago
The Wall street protesters need to hear this song.
BolnoyBratchny 4 months ago
By the way, these day's it generally isn't the "rich" digging the ditches, it's the middle and lower class, doing it for them.
MrTrty5 4 months ago
@MrTrty5 so invent some thing, open a buisness and have some one else do your work!!!! thats how its done!!!
The1Mroverkill 4 months ago
@The1Mroverkill Gotta love convenience.
MrTrty5 4 months ago
Does capitalism have problems? Of course, but so does communism, socialism, democracy, anarchy, fundamentalism, conservatism, liberalism, fascism, Despotism and many other "isms" & "y's". Are there good things about all of these systems? Of course, but the point is capitalism. There's nothing wrong with making money, but there is something wrong with large banks and stockbrokers taking money from you because they can, and don't tell me: "this never really happens", because it does.
MrTrty5 4 months ago
@MrTrty5 Finally someone with an objective opinion.
MySheroniak 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MySheroniak "@MrTrty5 Finally someone with an objective opinion.
MySheroniak 2 hours ago"
The word opinion is subjective by definition and thus your statement is an oxymoron. I would get into the discussion of objectivity with you, but it seems you're an internet troll.
zenvidar 4 months ago
@zenvidar whats an internet troll? I just read a post that I liked and said something. I'm sorry that my statement hurt your feelings. I will take your opinion on the my statement to heart. If you see my name in future posts please feel free to ignore them.
MySheroniak 4 months ago
@MySheroniak I'm sorry for misjudging you and attacking you. :) Thank you for being so respectful, even after I was aggressive towards you. :D
zenvidar 4 months ago
@MySheroniak I didn't see that you replied twice to me. That's okay, thank you for that apology, even if it wasn't something I earned. ^^ I would not ignore your future posts but give them more thought and take them to heart, especially now that I see your character is very much the opposite of my original assumptions. :) I would be more than happy to discuss various sociopolitical issues with you in private messages. Take care.
zenvidar 4 months ago
@MySheroniak I try to be objective and logical as possible. I try my absolute best to not throw around lame-ass insults. I think there are pro's and con's with EVERY school of thinking and militant support or opposition of any of them is silly in my opinion.
MrTrty5 4 months ago
@MrTrty5 I can see your still hurt over my first post. I apologize if what I said was interpreted as an insult. I honestly did not mean it as one. I glad to see you think objectively too. This will be my swan song friend. Its been nice to "troll" with you. Have a good one.
MySheroniak 4 months ago
@MySheroniak Oh... I forgot. What did I say?
MrTrty5 4 months ago
Take That "Occupy America"!!!!
GEMINITREKKER 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Liberals are so dumb they don't realize that a intelligent artist could write a song defending capitalism and it wouldn't be a satire.
Yetem1234 4 months ago 9
@Yetem1234 Ah, yes, of course, the opposing side is just a bunch of blithering idiots, definitely not a bunch of people who happen to think differently from you.
SergeantLuke 4 months ago
@Yetem1234 Dumb would be not realizing that Danny Elfman, the guy singing this song, has himself specifically said it was satire in an interview.
EmperorofCartoons 3 months ago 4
@EmperorofCartoons He says it is satire now. He said in an earlier interview, it was a song against british socialists he read about.
willscomix 3 months ago
+1 if you are studying economics and love this song !!
TheThreeHundredHemi 4 months ago 6
He was way ahead of his time on these lyrics!
mannsam63 5 months ago 3
Germany's perceived economic stability was based on the support of the Junkers, fat capitalist pigs behind every war.
timothyguthrie 6 months ago
Elfman is just another confused Yank. Listen to this and then listen to Perfect System from the same LP and you'll find that the "Perfect System" he so satirically decries is the very one "Capitalism" promotes. And this LP was as good as Oingo Boingo ever got.
timothyguthrie 6 months ago
@timothyguthrie
Capitalism is merely monetary exchange for goods and services. 'Perfect System' seems to refer more to Communism, and the uniformity of collectivism. Besides supporting a capitalist system doesn't necessitate that someone should stop criticising their own government, lest they be 'confused'.
billhicks8 5 months ago 2
Democrat = liberal/ progressive = terrorist!!
Thomcalhoun 6 months ago
Comment removed
bodryn 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@bodryn think people are sometimes terrified of their banks.
bodryn 4 months ago
11 people voted down this song because they were only a lad, and really couldn't help it
promisedeyes 7 months ago 23
@promisedeyes well played sir!!
inverhillsphilo 2 months ago
I highly doubt he said GangS of Four when it's GANG (with no 'S') Of Four! And I agree completely with some people on here, there IS nothing wrong with capitalism! I have a problem with corporatism and the government, but nothing's wrong with capitalism
JohnnyLovely2 7 months ago 2
Are you a socialist? Are you a German? Are you a German Socialist? Wow, how's that legacy working out for you? My point was, I don't like socialists. So, I like to remind people who they are, whenever I can ... It's called freedom of speech. Do you have a problem? That's right, you don't ... That's what I thought. Pleasure speaking with you. Good night.
Thomcalhoun 7 months ago in playlist Oingo Boingo 4
@Thomcalhoun I have no problem with freedom of speech, I'm simply using mine to correct your incorrect statements.
Also the legacy of actual German socialism seems to be going pretty well. From a 2009 Spiegel article, "57 percent, or an absolute majority, of eastern Germans defend the former East Germany. 'The GDR had more good sides than bad sides...' say 49 percent of those polled. Eight percent of eastern Germans flatly oppose all criticism of their former home...'"
Mrdie 7 months ago
@Mrdie How is that different than how the majority of Germans approved of Nazi Germany's policies both during the regime and shortly after its collapse?
Of course opinions later changed, and I'm not morally comparing the GDR to the Nazis-- but arguments based on popularity are problematic
promisedeyes 7 months ago 2
@promisedeyes Probably because Nazi Germany's economic successes were ultimately based on constructing the necessary war machine needed to build an empire through conquest and slave labor, and were also based on promoting the Germans as the "master race."
Mrdie 7 months ago
@Mrdie So... now you not only deny that National Socialism is a form of socialism but you also defend Soviet/Communist East Germany? You're messed up.
Tuhljin 7 months ago
@Tuhljin H.A. Heinz, pro-Hitler, wrote in 'Germany's Hitler': "Adolf Hitler’s Socialism—is a totally different thing from what is generally understood by this term, from the Socialism derived from Marxian and Communistic theory... German Socialism tends to draw all sections of the nation closely together, international socialism initiates class war." In the book 'Hitler's Official Programme': "National Socialism recognizes private ownership in principle, and places it under State protection."
Mrdie 7 months ago
@Tuhljin Last time I checked East Germany didn't start the Holocaust or base its entire economy more or less on forging an empire out of wars of conquest. Maybe you can correct me. The Berlin Wall wasn't nice, but it also wasn't Auschwitz, nor does the Stasi top the Gestapo.
Mrdie 7 months ago
the instrumentation in this song captures that utterly unique 80s spirit.
These guys were and are one of the best 80s musicians ever.
risingsonseven 7 months ago 3
hogwash, Elfman uses satire and sarcasim a lot in his music.. If you compare this song with those others you can quickly see that this one is more serious attitude and less satire.. I know the people this song hits.. and it fits them to a T.
doorran 7 months ago
If I ran for president, this would be my campaign theme song.
chipples19 7 months ago 6
Websters defines NAZI as National Socialists.
Thomcalhoun 8 months ago in playlist Oingo Boingo
@Thomcalhoun East Germany was officially known as the German Democratic Republic, what's your point? The NSDAP (aka Nazis) protected private property and denounced Marxism. The "radical" wing of Nazism, led by the Strasser brothers, was opposed to Hitler. Ernst Röhm, who led the "working-class" wing of the NSDAP, was killed in 1934 at Hitler's orders. The US pledge of allegiance was written by a "Christian Socialist" named Francis Bellamy. His "socialism" was alien to both Marxism and Nazism.
Mrdie 7 months ago
Capitalism is great, but this song is absolute shit.
JaysGOP 8 months ago
A much better critique of hypocritical, middle-class calls for socialism is the Dead Kennedy's Holiday in Cambodia.
brentcox 9 months ago 2
I have a new respect for Oingo Boingo after reading the lyrics for this song. Great message. Rare to find a song that criticizes socialism or anything of the like.
MetalOxy 9 months ago
I'm a left communist, but I actually like this song, it describes a lot of posers out there, you know?
SamVarriano 9 months ago 2
“There’s nothing wrong with Capitalism / There’s nothing wrong with free enterprise. . . . You’re just a middle class, socialist brat / From a suburban family and you never really had to work.”
wildroot16 10 months ago
@dessan7
I think you are wrong and Danny's earlier comments don't rule this out as a satire. It is impossible to listen to this song, knowing Danny and not think it's wildly exaggerated. This is the same person who made fun of Danny Quayle and threatened to leave us if Sarah Palin was to become vice president. He probably doesn't meant all this stuff literally.
In any case, there is a big difference between Communism and Socialism.
proman84 10 months ago
This was released in 1981.
RHNarrator 10 months ago
The message of this song always struck me as a poke against those snobby ultra-left yuppies taking up anti-capitalism, rebelling without any real clue. It reminds me of an aging Australian woman I met once who declared herself a Communist in the 1960's, but changed her views after visiting Egypt (which was never Communist).
hectorbolshevik 11 months ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Capitalism is okay, but lassez-faire capitalism leads to corruption and exploitation on behalf of multinational corportations.
Socialism is also okay, but communism leads to authoritarianism and brutality on behalf of the government.
So long as the state fulfils the social contract, I don't have a problem with it.
DelphinusMAch1 1 year ago
Hmmm this combined with songs like "Only A Lad" sure seem very right of center to me... views can change but this body of work really isn't left leaning.
Ictoanius 1 year ago
shut up guys, just enjoy it.
shadycharacter220 1 year ago 4
Wow, I've just discovered this band and it is AWESOME. It's a really big surprise for me, that Danny Elfman wasn't such a big douche like he is now, he was actually cool!
RUBENSolol 1 year ago
@RUBENSolol
Why is he a douche now?
elfojuice 1 year ago
@elfojuice Because his music sucks:)
RUBENSolol 1 year ago
There's nothing wrong with either capitalism or communism in their truest, purest forms.
The problem with both of these is that of greed. Greed ruins everything, whether you are left or right. Both need fairness and democracy, in order to function properly.
GloucesterAdam 1 year ago
@GloucesterAdam So you want to punish others for being successful?
JewMan7493 1 year ago
@JewMan7493 Not at all, all I said was that you need a fair balance between socialism and capitalism - the happy medium if you like. I'd certainly never punish anybody for making a success of their lives, moreover if I was in charge I'd stop people from taking from 'the system' if they refused to give anything back in return.
GloucesterAdam 1 year ago
The rich are literally horrible people.
The only solution is that both the state and capitalism be completely abolished and all pigs, whether they are corporate pigs or politician pigs, be executed.
WhimsicalQuandary 1 year ago
The rich are literally horrible people.
The only solution is that both the state and capitalism be comepletly abolished and all pigs, whether they are corporate pigs or politician pigs, be executed.
WhimsicalQuandary 1 year ago
Aside from criticisms for or against Capitalism, I am absolutely in love with his depiction of the "middle-class socialist brat". I know so many rich kids who don't know what they're talking about that claim to advocate communism and oppose their own country, when capitalism has handed them every damn thing they have.
SirWilliamAlmasy 1 year ago 3
@SirWilliamAlmasy yeah and I know a lot of jackass rich republicans who know shit about anything
AngusRocker22 1 year ago
@AngusRocker22 And I know people from every single social class and income level who don't know shit about anything. That's planet earth.
But the song is targeting one specific TYPE of hypocrit. The middle class kid whose conservative dad probably bought their car and put them through college and they try to say the government is so evil and awful, and the just don't know what the fuck they're talking about. And I think that's a brand of hypocrisy that's honestly not called out ENOUGH.
SirWilliamAlmasy 1 year ago 3
@SirWilliamAlmasy; How do you get the idea that the kid's a "middle class conservative brat" when the song says "middle class socialist brat"?
PadraikKasier 1 year ago
@PadraikKasier I didn't say the kid was a conservative... I think you should read my post a little slower.
SirWilliamAlmasy 1 year ago
@SirWilliamAlmasy; Oops. Yeah, sorry.
PadraikKasier 1 year ago
@SirWilliamAlmasy what does capitalism have to do with how successful your parents were.....the kid isn't getting anything handed to him(unless the parents spoil them....but it's coming from the parents) from the government. I'm an egalitarian(by your definition a socialist) i don't see any boundaries except people who do good and people who do bad, and THAT is how people should be placed into "classes"(i quotation mark it because we are all human, there is no difference but what the mind sets)
xxxslayerxxx666 1 year ago 2
@xxxslayerxxx666 The facts of the matter are this.
A.) In our society, the financially successful are people who got that way because of capitalism.
B.) For the most part, these people put their children through college, buy them cars, and basically do everything for them.
C.) These children don't know JACK SHIT about what the working class goes through and wouldn't last a day in a communist society, but suddenly they think they're Che fucking Guevara.
SirWilliamAlmasy 1 year ago
@xxxslayerxxx666 And I'm a little insulted that you would think I don't know that egalitarianism doesn't equal socialism. I'm not Glenn Beck.
SirWilliamAlmasy 1 year ago
@SirWilliamAlmasy excuse me, i didin't mean for that to be a personal statement, when i said "your definition" i was referring to the majority of societies interpretation(well more like the image that the media want's you to piece together when people speak of being equal)....i should have been less vague with that....true egalitarianism is impossible, and that is why i proposed people being placed into classes according to whether they do good or bad(but without becoming africa of course lol)
xxxslayerxxx666 1 year ago
"Satire"....? It's entirely too accurate to be satire.
immikeurnot 1 year ago 23
This must be a joke.
xx1994xxversion2 1 year ago
I quoted this song in my History Class when we were learning about Socialism/Capitalism. Only the Professor got it, shit was cash.
thisisthejohnshow 1 year ago 6
Amazing song! Not 1983 though...it was released in 1981
TheThievingBeggars 1 year ago
There is no problem with capitalism. it is with big government and businessmen who would seek political favors.
Everything that happened in 2008 and everything that is happening again now leads back to corrupt D.C. politicians and political businessmen.
maplebob23 1 year ago 69
@maplebob23 I wouldn't say that capitalism in its pure form has no problems, but with an adequate-but-not-overdone government it's much better any socialist government that has existed on this planet. So I generally agree.
doom032 1 year ago 4
@maplebob23 That's a bit simplistic, no? I think capitalism is an all right system but it certainly has some flaws. For one it empathises short-term personal gain too much, sometimes at the cost of long-term societal gain.
doom032 1 year ago
@maplebob23 there's a lot of problems with capitalism, instead... it's not only about the governments.
Ask to youurself why China is not suffering the chrisis. It's hard to admit, but it's the truth.
Merluzz 5 months ago
@Merluzz I just came back from working in China over the summer and got to see how bad things really are over there. You have no clue what you are talking about.
lululolalaura 5 months ago 2
@Merluzz Have you looked up the average yearly income for Chinese people? It's not even over 5,000 USD a year, do you want to live on that? I read in Wired magazine that at an Ipod factory over there they had to put up suicide nets around the building to catch the jumpers. Tell me China isn't suffering.
halfcabdisaster7 5 months ago 2
@halfcabdisaster7 China is pretty much capitalist lol
lethalninja492 5 months ago
@Merluzz Because they billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have sweet deals with our government concerning marries on their exports to the US. Then, most rural Chinese are dirt poor, many more are in prison.
wendyraustin 4 months ago
@Merluzz Because they billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have sweet deals with our government concerning marries on their exports to the US.
wendyraustin 4 months ago
@Merluzz Because they get billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have deals with our government concerning tariffs on their exports to the US.
wendyraustin 4 months ago
@Merluzz Because they get billions in foreign aid from the US who then borrows that same money back at interest. Plus they have deals with our government concerning tariffs on their exports to the US.
wendyraustin 4 months ago
@Merluzz
"Capitalism is working pretty good in communist china, so why should it work here" Jon Huntsman, ambassador to China for the United States.
unfad1ng 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@maplebob23 there's a lot of problems with capitalism, instead... it's not only about the governments.
Ask to youurself why China is not suffering the chrisis. It's hard to admit, but it's the truth.
Merluzz 5 months ago
@maplebob23
and capitalism is the system that lets that happen
UFOManNixon 5 months ago
@maplebob23 No problem with capitalism please explain how?
darknight651 4 months ago
@maplebob23 "big government and businessmen who seek political favors" - that's modern capitalism. An idea that is flawed at its nature but in its infancy isn't dangerous. But today's capitalism is all about getting power, keeping power and keeping others from power. Modern capitalism is essentially feudalism, plantation lords (rich), lower nobility (mid to upper middle class) and the serfs (lower middle class and those in poverty). A class system only exists to segregate power and diminish--
zenvidar 4 months ago
Comment removed
zenvidar 4 months ago
@maplebob23 --the availability for fair opportunity. We don't have a free market where anyone can be successful. It's designed so only a rare few can go from nothing to riches, but those very stories help fuel the belief that if you try, you will make it in life. But yes, i agree that big government, partially run in the shadows by corporate influence is quite a problem. I'm just saying that it's only inevitable that such a thing would happen with a capitalist society.
zenvidar 4 months ago
Comment removed
zenvidar 4 months ago
Comment removed
zenvidar 4 months ago
Not to sound right-wing or anything but there's nothing wrong with capitalism as long as it's done right.
obscurebandfan 1 year ago 3
@obscurebandfan LOL, how would that make you sound right-wing?
immikeurnot 1 year ago
There is nothing wrong with capitalism, the problem is management. Capitalism is the best system we have today.
fernandesilyt 1 year ago 7
Danny Elfman personally funded an attack ad against Palin during the 2008 election
NecroButcher91 1 year ago
@NecroButcher91 hes my hero
TutsRevenge 1 year ago
I think after the question mark in the line "What do you know about suffering and pain..." - sounds like he says ".... you dumb-f*ck..." Classic! Also I don't think some posting on here really get the concept of social satire through music.
LoverSniper 1 year ago
Satire or not, there are truths in everything so at the same time you have to remember the goal of musicians...fame, fortune, etc. There's nothing wrong with that and he is quite right saying "theres nothing wrong with making A profit, theres nothing wrong with wanting to live nice" and thats true. So while he may be saying that greed is bad, he is trying to excuse his "meager" earnings by being a musician.
kennybarlow 1 year ago
This kinda sounds like RHPS.
NekoChanSenpai 1 year ago
BTW. I've always considered this song to be satire.
thefladge 1 year ago
People are always shouting "socialism" these days. The right wing fans these fires anytime someone suggests that the fact that 1% of Americans have 95% 0f the wealth might not be a good thing. Nobody called Eisenhower a socialist when we had a top tax bracket of 90%
thefladge 1 year ago
@thefladge Where do you get those statistics? I hear people quote stuff like that all the time and whenever I look up information about it it's never close to that drastic. Where'd you find that 1% of the population has 95% of the wealth?
WheatOcean 1 year ago 3
@thefladge; 1) Eisenhower was a fervent anti-communist, and
2) someone had to pay for WW2.
PadraikKasier 1 year ago
Alexdark - I'm pretty sure Boingo wasn't trying to promote pedophilia with the song "Little Girls". Quite the opposite.
ImTheBaz 1 year ago
Quite right. The lyrics are written to make you cringe, not make you think: "Hey, I should try that!."
Cloverleaf42 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
For everyone who wants to defend this guy, know that Oingo Boingo made a song called "Little Girls". Guess what it's about? Yes, it's what your thinking.
Alexdark73 2 years ago
If you had any idea of what you're condemning, you'd know the song was a satire.
rapethenun 2 years ago
@Alexdark73 Ad hominem.
doom032 1 year ago
I choose to interpret this as a non-satrical song.
ProfessionalWhiteGuy 2 years ago