Misery

Soul Asylum's song "Misery" delves into the pervasive sense of dissatisfaction and frustration that many people experience in their daily lives. The lyrics use the metaphor of a company to illustrate how misery can be commodified and mass-produced, suggesting that society has become so accustomed to unhappiness that it has turned it into a business. The repeated phrase "Frustrated incorporated" serves as a biting commentary on how frustration and discontent have become institutionalized, almost as if they are products to be sold and consumed.

The song's chorus, "Put me outta my misery, I'd do it for you, would ya do it for me?" highlights the reciprocal nature of human suffering. It suggests that people are often willing to help each other escape their misery, but only if they receive the same in return. This mutual exchange of suffering underscores the idea that misery is a shared experience, one that binds people together in a cycle of perpetual unhappiness. The mention of "suicide kings" and "drama queens" further emphasizes the extremes to which people go to cope with their misery, often dramatizing their pain for attention or relief.

The lyrics also touch on the paradoxical nature of modern life, where the same systems that create misery also offer solutions to it. Lines like "We'll create the cure, we made the disease" point to the irony of a society that profits from both the problem and the solution. This duality reflects the complex relationship between consumerism and well-being, suggesting that the very things designed to alleviate our suffering often contribute to it. The song ultimately serves as a dark satire, critiquing the ways in which modern life perpetuates a cycle of misery and frustration.