So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

A Perfect Circle's song "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish" is a satirical commentary on modern society's obsessions and the ultimate futility of these pursuits. The title itself is a nod to Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," where dolphins leave Earth with a similar farewell message, hinting at an impending end. The lyrics juxtapose the trivialities of contemporary life—diets, plastic surgery, and apps—with the passing of iconic figures like Willy Wonka, Major Tom, Muhammad Ali, and Princess Leia, symbolizing a loss of innocence and the end of an era.

The repeated phrase "Time is money and money's time" underscores the relentless pursuit of wealth and the squandering of time on superficial endeavors. The song critiques how society invests in politicians, fancy water, and guns, highlighting the absurdity of these priorities. The mention of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and the imagery of a "mushroom cloud confetti" evoke a sense of impending doom, suggesting that our preoccupations are leading us towards self-destruction.

The chorus, with its celebratory tone—"Bravissimo, hip hip hooray"—is laced with irony. The "fireworks display" and "radiant crescendo" are metaphors for the catastrophic end, masked as a grand spectacle. The song's dark humor and vivid imagery serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of our misplaced values. By blending cultural references with apocalyptic visions, A Perfect Circle delivers a powerful critique of modern life's absurdities and the inevitable fallout of our choices.