Sell Out

Reel Big Fish's song "Sell Out" is a satirical commentary on the music industry's commercialization and the compromises artists often make for fame and financial success. The lyrics tell the story of a musician who is tired of working a mundane job in fast food and sees signing with a record company as a way out. The protagonist is aware of the superficiality and control exerted by the industry but chooses to ignore these concerns for the promise of money and a better life.

The song's chorus, "Sell out, with me oh yea, sell out, with me tonight," highlights the internal conflict and irony of the situation. The artist is aware that they are compromising their artistic integrity but rationalizes it by focusing on the financial rewards. The repeated line, "The record company's gonna give me lots of money, and everything's gonna be all right," underscores the allure of financial stability and the belief that money can solve all problems, even at the cost of one's values.

Reel Big Fish uses humor and sarcasm to critique the music industry's manipulation of artists and the public. The line, "Radio plays what they want you to hear, they tell me it's cool, but I just don't believe it," points to the lack of authenticity in mainstream music and the industry's role in shaping public taste. The song ultimately questions whether the trade-off between artistic freedom and commercial success is worth it, leaving listeners to ponder the true cost of selling out.