Swindle is a song borne of frustration with the rise in despotism over the past few years, here in America, but also around the world in Italy, Brazil, and so on. And while abuse of power and authoritarian trends have come and gone, never have they seemed quite so… so… so stupid. “Swindle” is a ceaselessly driving rock song that comes out swinging with an ascending chromatic riff from a gritty guitar and never lets up.
The song is told from the perspective of a wannabe dictator as he makes his appeal to his followers. Gone are the days of pretending to influence with guile; enter instead brash bravado that can declare “it’s propaganda; try mine, it’s better for you.” This leader knows his audience, his fans, his sycophants. They want to be like him. They want power. They want the riches they believe he has. He’s happy to tell them that he knows that that’s what they want, why they love him, why they need him. And he makes no bones about his feelings for them: “I can’t do this alone, the lord knows that I’ve tried… I think you’re disgusting.”
Ultimately, Swindle is dripping with a blisteringly sardonic anger, matched only by the intensity of the arrangement featuring blaring guitars, bombastic drums, and pumping bass.
lyrics
When you’re feeling ignored
You need a release
Need to let that anger feed.
Well I’m just like you
I see as you do
Except through golden glasses.
Don’t you want what I have?
Don’t you want your land back?
Follow my lead!
Freedom comes in chains
Wealth in poverty
Ain’t it good to be free?
Don’t like what you see?
Reject reality.
(It’s propaganda, try mine, it’s better for you.)
Don’t read the news, they print all my misdeeds
(It’s propaganda, try mine, it’s better for you.)
Keep your eyes peeled up on the screen
Tell me, don’t you love what you see?
Look into mine and disregard all my lies
Helps the poison go down easy
If you give me more, I can give you less
Never been a deal so sweet
Doublethink twice, remember one thing
Don’t believe in nothing but
Me.
I’m the sum of your dreams
Your insecurities
I am base emotion.
I’m a god amongst men
Even Christ has weighed in
He’s my biggest fan!
I can’t do this alone
Lord knows that I’ve tried
I think you’re disgusting.
There are many steps
But if we band as a team
We can nail all fourteen.
Don’t like what you see?
Reject reality.
(It’s propaganda, try mine it’s better for you.)
Don’t read the news, they print all my misdeeds
(It’s propaganda, try mine it’s better for you.)
Keep your eyes peeled up on the screen
Tell me, don’t you love what you see?
Look into mine and disregard all my lies
Helps the poison go down easy
If you give me more, I can give you less
Never been a deal so sweet
Doublethink twice, remember one thing
Don’t believe in nothing but
Me.
credits
from Validate Me (EP),
released August 25, 2023
Guitar, Vocals: Asa Daniels
Bass: Will Hammond
Drums: Evin Rossington
Written by Asa Daniels
Produced by Gooseberry
Produced by Colin Bryson
Recording Engineer: Colin Bryson
Recording Engineer: Austin Christy
Mixing Engineer: James Meslin
Mastering Engineer: Jennica Best
Gooseberry is a trio from Brooklyn, New York born during the Fall of 2019. They play alt rock, mostly. The band consists of
Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass).
The band has supported major touring acts like BabyJake, Grady Spencer & The Work, and Maybird. They have also headlined major NYC venues like Bowery Ballroom and Baby's All Right....more
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