Everything Is Everything

Paul Heaton's song 'Everything Is Everything' is a sharp critique of modern consumerism and the fluidity of identity in contemporary society. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where traditional boundaries and roles have become blurred, and everything is commodified. Heaton uses a series of ironic and humorous metaphors to illustrate how various aspects of life, from music genres to professions, have lost their original meaning and have been repurposed for commercial gain. For instance, the line 'When Hip-Hops selling perfume (and) Boy bands selling grief' highlights the absurdity of how art forms and emotions are marketed and sold like any other product.

The song also delves into the theme of identity and how it is shaped by societal expectations and consumer culture. Heaton points out the contradictions and superficiality in modern life, such as 'The Butcher sells you pantihose The Supermarket sells you land,' emphasizing how nothing is as it seems. The repeated phrase 'Everything is Anything to Anyone' underscores the idea that in a world driven by consumerism, the intrinsic value of things and people is often overlooked or distorted. This is further exemplified by the lines 'Modern, modern man is a man of many mates So we decorate, we imitate We duplicate our greats,' suggesting that people are constantly trying to emulate others rather than being true to themselves.

Heaton's critique extends to the media and societal norms, as seen in 'The newsagent sells you holidays The travel shop sells you sand,' where he mocks the commercialization of even the most mundane aspects of life. The song also touches on issues of body image and societal pressures, with lines like 'The thin are getting thinner The big are getting bigger Till 5 and 75 year olds Worry 'bout their figure.' This highlights the pervasive nature of consumer culture, affecting individuals of all ages. The song's closing lines, 'Some folk call it gluttony, some folk call it greed It's just a million fucking pigeons to a single grain of seed,' encapsulate the overarching theme of excess and the insatiable nature of modern society.

'Everything Is Everything' serves as a satirical commentary on the absurdities of contemporary life, urging listeners to reflect on the true value of things and the impact of consumer culture on their identities and relationships.