By Danielle Bulhoes

This song is pretty genius. No, really!

The lyrics are an in-your-face critique on popular songs that don’t offer much except for a catchy “hook”. The singer expresses their frustration with songs like this, as well as the consumer that continues to listen to them.

“It doesn’t matter what I say as long as I sing with inflection”, is a bold choice of opening words. You can almost feel John Popper, lead singer and harmonica player, grabbing you by your shirt collar and trying to shake some sense into you. He continues to berate the lazy listener for not wanting something more from their music, something more meaningful.

In proud defiance, Popper rages that;

“Could be financial suicide but I’ve got too much pride inside

To hide or slide

I’ll do as I’ll decide and let it ride till until I’ve died

And only then shall I abide by this tide

Of catchy little tunes

Of hip three minute diddies”

Finally losing his cool, sick of the gluttonous apathy of the music industry and the dull minded people who never ask for better, Popper threatens to “burn all your cities to the ground”.

Because only through the awesome cleansing power of fire can the world be remade! The unworthy are left to despair as a new world order comes to power, rebuilding the industry of music to a standard that NO ONE BUT GOD CAN TEAR DOWN!!!!!

Whoa.

Sorry, I think I got a little carried away there. Hahaha.

Where did these matches come from?

Anyways, after this moment of homicidal rage, Popper resigns himself and basically says, “Hey, it’s ok if you’re too lazy to care about what you’re listening to. It just means I don’t have to try as hard to take your money.”

Do yourself a favour. Get off your ass and listen to Hook by Blues Traveler.