United Breaks Guitars

Dave Carroll's song 'United Breaks Guitars' is a poignant and humorous recounting of a frustrating experience with United Airlines. The song narrates the true story of how Carroll's Taylor guitar was damaged by the airline's baggage handlers during a flight. The lyrics vividly describe the moment of horror when a fellow passenger noticed the rough handling of the guitars on the tarmac, leading to a year-long battle for compensation and accountability from the airline.

The song is a clever mix of personal grievance and broader commentary on corporate indifference. Carroll's repeated attempts to seek redress are met with apathy and bureaucratic runarounds, encapsulated in lines like 'Pass the buck; Don't ask me — and — I'm sorry, sir, your claim can go nowhere.' This reflects a common frustration many consumers feel when dealing with large corporations that seem more interested in deflecting responsibility than addressing customer concerns.

Musically, the song is catchy and accessible, making it an effective vehicle for Carroll's message. The chorus, with its repetitive and memorable line 'United breaks guitars,' serves as both a personal lament and a public indictment. The song's humor and relatability helped it go viral, turning Carroll's misfortune into a widely recognized critique of poor customer service. By blending storytelling with a catchy tune, Carroll not only highlights his own experience but also resonates with anyone who has felt powerless against a large, impersonal system.