Let's Work
Mick Jagger
The Drive to Overcome Apathy: Mick Jagger's 'Let's Work'
Mick Jagger's 'Let's Work' is a rousing call to action, urging listeners to rise above complacency and actively work towards personal and societal improvement. The song's lyrics emphasize the importance of hard work and personal responsibility, rejecting the notion that the world owes anyone a living. Jagger encourages his audience to avoid wasting energy on creating adversaries and instead focus on self-improvement and productivity.
The chorus of 'Let's Work' is particularly empowering, with Jagger singing about pride, ambition, and the collective effort to eradicate poverty. The repetition of 'be proud, stand tall, touch the clouds' serves as a motivational mantra, suggesting that through hard work and determination, one can achieve great heights. The inclusion of both men and women in the call to action highlights the song's universal message of freedom and the shared responsibility to work towards a better future for all.
Jagger also addresses the pitfalls of laziness and greed, making it clear that he has no sympathy for those who choose not to contribute. The lyrics 'Ain't gonna sweat for you, ain't gonna sigh for you, ain't gonna cry for you, if you're lazy' reflect a tough-love attitude, implying that success and support are earned through effort and not entitlement. The song's upbeat tempo and Jagger's energetic delivery reinforce the theme of active engagement and the joy that can be found in hard work and communal progress.