Another Day
Bruce Hornsby
The Mundane Madness of Modern Life
Bruce Hornsby's song "Another Day" paints a vivid picture of the monotony and absurdity of contemporary life. The lyrics open with the protagonist waking up to a screen filled with men talking, a scene that symbolizes the constant barrage of information and noise in modern society. The mention of men fighting in the aisles suggests a chaotic world where meaningful communication is often lost amidst the clamor. This sets the tone for a song that critiques the superficiality and distractions that dominate our daily lives.
The chorus, with its repetitive lines "Here we go, what do you say, what do you know," underscores the cyclical nature of our routines. Hornsby highlights how people passively watch their lives go by, consumed by trivial pursuits. The reference to the Home Shopping Channel and the scramble to buy porcelain flies is a satirical take on consumerism, where people are obsessed with acquiring meaningless objects. This critique extends to the portrayal of religious figures and prosperity preachers, who promise wealth and success in exchange for faith, further emphasizing the theme of exploitation and superficiality.
In the final verse, Hornsby captures the sense of disillusionment and confusion that pervades modern life. The line "Life around here don't make a lot of damned sense" encapsulates the frustration of living in a world where values are skewed, and priorities are misplaced. The imagery of someone selling a nickel for a dime is a powerful metaphor for the deceptive nature of consumer culture. Ultimately, "Another Day" is a poignant commentary on the emptiness of modern existence, urging listeners to reflect on the true value of their lives amidst the noise and distractions.