All We Make Is Entertainment

Album: Postcards From A Young Man (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track ties the collapse of British heavy industry since the 1980s to the parlous state of the music industry in 2010. Bassist Nicky Wire explained to Q magazine: "It's saying that all we make is entertainment and we're even trying to destroy that, to give it away, piss it away and degrade it down to nothing. It's the quintessential British thing to do."
  • The accusatory title refers to the evisceration of British industry. Wire explained to NME July 31, 2010: "After Labour there's nothing left we actually manufacture. The selling off of Cadbury was the last straw, the best chocolate in the world and we got rid of it. The fact that the only subsidized industry we've got in the UK is the banks… how surreal and awful is that? We could have nationalized the utilities and kept people employed but no, we subsidize the profiteering, evil banks."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.