A Design For Life - Manic Street Preachers, 1996

 
 

Libraries gave us power
Then work came and made us free
But what price now for a shallow piece of dignity

I wish I had a bottle
Right here in my dirty face to wear the scars
To show from where I came

We don’t talk about love we only want to get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end

A design for life x4

I wish I had a bottle
Right here in my pretty face to wear the scars
To show from where I came

We don’t talk about love we only want to get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end

A design for life x4

We don’t talk about love we only want to get drunk
And we are not allowed to spend
As we are told that this is the end

A design for life x4

 
---
 

Manic Street Preachers are an alternative, or "indie" band from the UK. Much of their early success came in the 90s, mostly from the hit A Design For Life off the album Everything Must Go.

There still seems to be a class system in England, one that was established centuries ago - its roots probably from Feudalism. Since the members of Manic Street Preachers apparently have strong socialist convictions, they are understandably lamenting the limitations of life in the lower classes: working, drinking beer, and going to soccer matches to get in fights. Your life is set, so don't getting any ideas about moving up.

Imagery in the song's video reinforces the class theme - scenes of fox hunting and Royal Ascot epitomize the privileged few. As for the lyrics, the opening line "Libraries give us power" came from a library in Newport, and "Then work came and made us free" refers to a sign in a German concentration camp. There is mixed imagery here, but certainly education is part of the power welded by the rich, and the slogan from a concentration camp...well, I'd say somebody isn't happy with the status quo.

Band member Richey James Edwards simply vanished on February 1, 1995. Suicide was suspected, although no body was ever found, and the rest of the band kept his share of royalties aside, just in case. A Design For Life was the first song recorded after his disappearance.