I always thought it was more about our disposible culture in general. If you've ever had the, err,
pleasure of listening to an Englishman talk just generally to you, it seriously sounds like that. Of course, could be any person, but the
'stick it up yer nose' really makes me think British.
Overall. Hmm. The song (and the video, especially), I believe, is about becoming aware of how twisted, disgusting and downright horrid this culture is. 'Competition Winner' is an example of this. The Gorillaz are portrayed walking through this alienated landscape, distanced from it by their own choice and observations while the rest of the 'people' are portrayed as being oblivious to it all, and just spreading a zombie-like disease of decay and stupidity. 2D even has to carry the little Noodle, holding her above all this horror. It's clear that the graphics, which disturb some people (I don't mind it too much...), were chosen in an attempt to shake some people's shoulders and bring them out of this nightmare. You can't see how horrible it is while you're still on the inside, not unless someone actually tries to show you...
The repeated phrase "rock it" to me is more of a reference to, to quote Trotsky, 'shaking the apparatus' than actual rock music. Rock it! Shake it! Push it over! For god's sake, change it!
Now, since I'm in essay mood, let's examine some of the lyrics.
Quote:
I didn't mean to do it
It loved me in my head
Assuming you're out of that loop of plastic culture - did you mean to be in it? Did you mean to contribute to it? Had you known what crap it was, and what it was doing to the world, would you have watched that show, brought that toy, cheered that celebrity? My guess is no. You didn't mean to do it - but at the time, didn't it feel like the best thing to do?
Quote:
I tried to be a charmer,
but I got a bit hopeless instead
You tried to do what was right, but now that you've 'woken up' from this zombified state, does it look right to you?
Quote:
The world is very sexy
It's part of my collapse
Finally, do you ever look back at all that, and think how shiny and awesome it is? Wouldn't you like to just go back to not caring? It's very nice, back there. Comfy. Sexy. Fast cars, red carpets... collapse.
Ahem. That's my interpretation.
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