We Both Reached For The Gun

The song 'We Both Reached For The Gun' from the musical 'Chicago' is a masterful representation of manipulation and media sensationalism set in the Jazz Age. The lyrics depict a press conference where the lawyer Billy Flynn is venting the words for his client, Roxie Hart, who has been accused of murder. The reporters' questions and the answers provided by Billy, as if they were coming from Roxie, create a narrative that paints Roxie as an innocent and naive woman, a victim of circumstance and her own naivety.

Billy Flynn's role in the song is akin to that of a puppet master. He controls the narrative, feeding the reporters a story that is designed to elicit sympathy for Roxie. The repeated phrase 'We both reached for the gun' is used to suggest a mutual struggle, thereby framing the shooting as an act of self-defense. This is a strategic move to sway public opinion and the jury in favor of Roxie. The song is a commentary on the corrupt nature of the legal system and the power of a persuasive narrative in the court of public opinion.

The musical number is also a critique of the media's role in shaping narratives. The reporters echo Billy's words, symbolizing how the media can sometimes uncritically disseminate information fed to them by those with influence. The catchy, upbeat nature of the song contrasts with its dark subject matter, highlighting the entertainment value that the media and the public often find in personal tragedies and court dramas.