Eat the Rich

The song 'Eat the Rich' is a stinging and provocative satire that serves as the title track of the 1987 film 'Eat The Rich'. The lyrics, full of innuendos and metaphors, reflect the premise of the movie, where a restaurant called 'Bastards' serves the meat from rich customers who have been murdered there. The song begins with an introduction that talks about social inequality, highlighting the disparity between the very rich and the very poor, suggesting that laziness is the reason for this difference, an ironic criticism of the common perception of poverty.

The lyrics use a series of culinary metaphors to explore themes of desire, power, and revenge. Phrases like 'Is that the meat you wanted to eat?' and 'Finger licking good' can be interpreted both literally and sexually, adding a layer of teasing and provocative mood to the song. The repetition of the refrain 'Come on, baby, eat the rich' reinforces the idea of revolt against the elite, encouraging a kind of 'social cannibalism' as a form of justice.

The song also plays with the idea of consumption and desire, not only in the literal sense of eating but also in the sense of consuming and destroying the wealth and power of the wealthy. The lyrics mention different types of food and dining situations, such as 'Eat Greek or eat Chinese', 'Eat salad or scarf up grease', suggesting that hunger and desire are universal and can be applied to both food and material goods. The song, with its irreverent and even aggressive tone, is a social critique packaged in a heavy rock rhythm, as well as being open to multiple interpretations, characteristic of Motörhead's style.