Lawyers in love

Jackson Browne's song 'Lawyers in Love' offers a satirical and critical look at modern society, particularly focusing on the superficiality and absurdity of contemporary American life. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where people are more concerned with materialism and appearances, as symbolized by 'designer jeans,' than with the deeper issues and cries for help that go unheard. The phrase 'lawyers in love' itself is a metaphor for the professional and personal entanglements that distract from more significant, existential concerns.

The song also delves into the political and cultural climate of the time, with references to 'God sends his spaceships to America, the beautiful' and 'waiting for World War III.' These lines suggest a sense of impending doom and a critique of American exceptionalism. The imagery of people 'eating from TV trays, tuned into Happy Days' underscores the numbing effect of consumer culture and media, which distracts from the looming threats and moral decay. The mention of 'Jesus slaves to the mating calls of lawyers in love' adds a layer of religious critique, implying that even spiritual figures are caught up in the trivial pursuits of modern life.

The final verse brings in the geopolitical context of the Cold War, with a nod to the U.S.S.R. and the space race. The idea that 'the Russians escaped while we weren't watching them' and 'the U.S.S.R. will be open soon as vacation land for lawyers in love' serves as a biting commentary on the absurdity and futility of political rivalries. It suggests that even in the face of global tensions, the elite—represented by 'lawyers in love'—remain insulated and indifferent, more interested in leisure and luxury than in addressing the world's real problems.