The Finest Worksong

Document starts with a bit of a jot. "The Finest Worksong" is a big song, it exudes confidence and scale. It has a metallic churn of a factory - the drums going BOOM BOOM SPLAT, like a hammer and anvil, the guitar a gear box relentlessly cranking out a noisy chord. And if there's any doubt where this tune is going Comrade Stipe delievers the first blow on behalf of the proletariat:
The time to rise has been engaged

In all this, it's one of REM's most literal songs, and I suppose that's why it's never been a clear fan favorite. But it's still a capable rocker, a sure-fire crowd pleaser at the big area concerts. And as if it weren't big enough, someone had the keen idea to throw a horn section in for an alternate mix. Nuance and subtext? Not here, my good man.

But tucked inside this cheese ball is a haunting little lyric:
What we want, and what need,
Has been confused.

Quite.