Rubber Biscuit

The Blues Brothers' song 'Rubber Biscuit' is a whimsical and humorous take on the struggles of poverty and hunger. The lyrics are filled with playful metaphors and nonsensical phrases that paint a vivid picture of scarcity and the human spirit's resilience in the face of it. The song opens with the concept of a 'wish sandwich,' where one has two slices of bread but wishes for some meat to complete it. This metaphor highlights the longing and unfulfilled desires that come with not having enough to eat.

The song continues with the idea of a 'ricochet biscuit,' a biscuit that is supposed to bounce back off the wall into your mouth. If it doesn't, you go hungry. This imagery is both humorous and poignant, illustrating the precariousness of relying on luck or chance to meet basic needs. The playful tone of the song, with its repetitive 'bow bow bow' refrain and the laughter interspersed throughout, adds a layer of lightheartedness to the otherwise serious subject matter.

The Blues Brothers, known for their energetic and soulful performances, use 'Rubber Biscuit' to blend humor with social commentary. The mention of a 'cool water sandwich' and a 'Sunday-go-to-meetin' bun' further emphasizes the absurdity of the situations described, while also pointing to the creativity and resourcefulness of those who make do with what little they have. The final line, 'What da ya want for nothing? ... a rubber biscuit?' encapsulates the song's message: in tough times, sometimes all you can do is laugh and make the best of what you have.