Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) Lyrics by Cooper Alan is a latest English song in the voice of Cooper Alan. Its music too is composed by singer while brand new Suit And Tie (Sixteen Tons) song lyrics are also written by Cooper Alan. This is a popular song among the people of United States of America. In Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons), Cooper Alan paints a gritty picture of hard-working folks like Bobby and Brandy, who are stuck in a grind that seems never-ending. Bobby, who works in a coal mine, struggles with health issues and a heavy load of debt, while Brandy works the graveyard shift at Walmart to make ends meet. Both characters feel trapped, sacrificing their lives for meager pay and empty promises. Despite their hard work, they end up with nothing but IOUs and a sense of lost dreams, ultimately feeling like they’ve sold their souls to a system that just keeps taking from them.
Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Bobby works a coal mine, dust in his windpipe
Turned 35, got an 80 year old spine
Sleeps in a double wide, fridge full of booze
He says, “I gotta get by, what can you do?”
[Chorus]
I bust my ass and what do I get?
Another IOU to the IRS
And some DC Devil in a Red Corvette
I sold my soul but I can’t pay rent
80 hours a week, 50 years and you die
Doc, I can’t sleep, well, here’s a pill to get high
Boss, I need a break, but boy you’re mine
I sold my soul to a suit and tie
[Verse 2]
Brandy works the graveyard, down at the Walmart
Doug long hauls in a Mac Truck real far
They’ve got 3 kids and 2 paychecks
A little bit of land and a whole lotta debt
[Chorus]
I bust my ass and what do I get?
Another IOU to the IRS
And some DC Devil in a Red Corvette
I sold my soul but I can’t pay rent
80 hours a week, 50 years and you die
Doc, I can’t sleep, well, here’s a pill to get high
Boss, I need a break, but boy you’re mine
I sold my soul to a suit and tie
[Bridge]
It’s blind rat racing, running through a maze and
They pull all the strings and they keep on taking
Half of my dimes and all of my time
Sold on a dream that turned into a lie
[Chorus]
I bust my ass and what do I get?
Another IOU to the IRS
And some DC Devil in a Red Corvette
I sold my soul but I can’t pay rent
80 hours a week, 50 years and you die
Doc, I can’t sleep, well, here’s a pill to get high
Boss, I need a break, but boy you’re mine
I sold my soul to a suit and tie
Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
In the first verse, we meet Bobby, a coal miner who’s feeling the weight of his tough job. At just 35, he’s already worn down, comparing his back to that of an elderly person. He lives in a double-wide trailer, where the fridge is stocked with alcohol, hinting at a desire to escape his reality. Bobby’s resigned attitude shows that he’s just trying to get through life, feeling trapped and helpless, reflecting the struggles many face in low-paying, labor-intensive jobs.
[Chorus]
The chorus dives into Bobby’s frustrations with hard work that yields little in return. Despite putting in long hours, all he gets is more debt and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. He mentions receiving an IOU for taxes, symbolizing how the system feels rigged against him. The mention of a “DC Devil in a Red Corvette” suggests envy for those who seem to thrive off his hard work while he can’t even afford rent. He feels like he’s sold his soul to his job, sacrificing his health and happiness for a paycheck that never seems enough.
[Verse 2]
In the second verse, we shift focus to Brandy, who works the night shift at Walmart. Her partner, Doug, is a long-haul trucker, indicating their struggles to balance multiple jobs just to support their family. They have three kids and are juggling two incomes, but they’re still weighed down by debt. This verse highlights the reality of many working-class families trying to make ends meet, revealing how hard they work while still living paycheck to paycheck.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats Bobby’s sentiments, emphasizing the cyclical nature of their struggles. He feels he’s giving everything but getting little in return, with taxes looming over him like a dark cloud. His acknowledgment of sleepless nights and dependence on pills points to the mental toll of his lifestyle. The line about needing a break, yet being owned by his boss, reinforces the idea of feeling trapped in a system that prioritizes profit over people, leaving him feeling like he’s traded his life for a suit and tie.
[Bridge]
The bridge uses a powerful metaphor of “blind rat racing” to illustrate how people are trapped in a relentless cycle of work without real progress. It captures the frustration of feeling manipulated by a system that takes more than it gives. The “maze” symbolizes the confusion and lack of control many feel in their lives. Bobby feels like he’s been sold on a false dream of success, only to realize it’s turned into a disappointment, showcasing the disillusionment with the American Dream.
[Chorus]
The final chorus echoes the earlier themes, reinforcing the message of hard work leading to frustration and unfulfilled dreams. Bobby’s repetition of the struggles with taxes and rent highlights the continuous cycle of working hard just to stay afloat. His sense of helplessness is palpable, as he laments having sold his soul for a life of servitude to a corporate world that seems to prioritize profit over people. This repetition emphasizes the urgency and despair felt by those trapped in this grind, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.
Famous Phrases with Explanation
1. I gotta get by, what can you do?
This phrase captures a sense of resignation. Bobby feels stuck in his situation but accepts it as a reality. It reflects the mindset many have when facing tough circumstances, emphasizing the need to just survive day by day.
2. I bust my ass and what do I get?
Here, Bobby expresses frustration over his hard work. Despite putting in significant effort, he feels like he’s not getting anything valuable in return. This line resonates with anyone who’s ever felt their dedication hasn’t been rewarded.
3. Another IOU to the IRS
This line highlights the burden of taxes and financial obligations. Bobby feels overwhelmed by debts that keep piling up, emphasizing the struggles many face with financial responsibilities that often leave them feeling trapped and anxious.
4. Some DC Devil in a Red Corvette
This phrase symbolizes envy and resentment toward those who seem to live a carefree, luxurious life. The DC Devil suggests someone who thrives off the hard work of others, living a flashy lifestyle while everyday folks like Bobby struggle.
5. I sold my soul but I can’t pay rent
This line conveys deep frustration and sacrifice. Bobby feels like he’s given up his dreams and happiness for the sake of his job, yet he’s still unable to make ends meet. It’s a powerful expression of feeling exploited.
6. 80 hours a week, 50 years and you die
This phrase starkly illustrates the exhausting grind of working life. Bobby acknowledges the harsh reality that dedicating so much of his life to work leads to burnout and an unfulfilling existence, ultimately questioning the value of such sacrifice.
7. Blind rat racing, running through a maze
This metaphor reflects the chaotic, unending cycle of working hard without making real progress. It suggests that people are stuck in a system where they keep running but never seem to get anywhere, feeling manipulated and trapped.
8. Sold on a dream that turned into a lie
This phrase captures the disillusionment many feel when their hopes for a better life fade away. It speaks to the false promises of success that don’t pan out, leaving people feeling betrayed and frustrated by their circumstances.
FAQs
Q. Who has sung Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) song?
A. Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) song is sung by Cooper Alan.
Q. Who wrote Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) lyrics?
A. Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) lyrics are penned by Cooper Alan.
Q. Who has given the music of Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) song?
A. Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons) music is composed and produced by Cooper Alan.
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