The Communists Have the Music

This is mostly an opinionated analysis, none is confirmed by the creators 

"The Communists Have the Music" is a single digitally released on September 11th 2018 by the band They Might Be Giants (TMBG). TMBG is an alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Linnell and John Flansburgh (current backing is Dan Miller, Danny Weinkauf, and Marty Beller). In the words of tmbw.net, "Songs can mean many things to different people. Sometimes songs seem to be written with a particular meaning in mind. Sometimes they have no meaning at all". So when listening to this song I had my own perspective and idea of what a deeper meaning could be. And so, let's talk about it lyric by lyric. 

"I got handed an Ayn Rand sandwich"

Ayn Rand was a Russian/American philosopher and author (1905-1982). She wrote popular novels such as Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. She was known for her philosophy of [political] Objectivism, the idea of extreme individualism idolizing selfishness popular among conservative/libertarian parties. 

"Straight from the can, it tasted so bland" 

This line is a clear jab at Ayn Rand's philosophy. The use of the word "can" or "canned" implies an artificial blandness. The disingenuous nature of American culture/capitalism is repetitive, manufactured, fake, and well, bland.  

"I asked a lass to pass me a glass /

Of Engels' Conditions of the Working Class"

The singer grows bored of the same repetitive ideology and requests something new. The Conditions of the Working Class in England in 1844  was a novel written by Friedrich Engels (German communist/philosopher/social scientist) in 1845. But you might best know Engels from his connections with Karl Marx who would go on to invent the Marxist theory. Engels also helped co-write, among many things, the Communist Manifesto. 

"Right away they dragged me to the committee /

To explain my un-American activity"

The House Un-American Activities Committee was a committee designed to investigate domestic terrorists (Ie- Russian spies after WWII) but would later become mostly known for it's infamous unfair investigations that would ruin the reputations and lives of those who were detained. 

Due to this lyric, I can conclude that the time frame is implied to be from 1947–1957. This was the time frame of the second "Red Scare" / McCarthyism, an era when anxieties of Communist spies were at it's peak.

"They're gonna see they made a mistake /

If they'd only let me play my mixtape"

Interestingly, I think this was a commentary on how the singer feels he can't express himself out of fear of promoting Communist propaganda. During the cold-war, capitalist propaganda was very common and anything that could be viewed as Communist propaganda was heavily looked down upon if not banned completely. So the singer feels as though people are jumping to conclusions when he is just enjoying what he wants. 

"I'm not partial to the martial"

Singer is stating he doesn't favor authoritarian/military leaders (Martial = Military leaders)

"Or the plutocrats, in their beaver hats"

Talking about Plutocracy (a society where power comes from wealth). Beaver hats is referring to felted beaver fur that was often used to make top hats, a popular symbol associated with the capitalist class. 

"And the fascists have the outfits /

But I don't care for the outfits"

This line is very clever. For starters, fascists are known for their infamous uniforms (Such as the Nazi party featured below). The singers then states that he doesn't care for the outfits, which is used to refer to clothing but also a military group that works together. The singer is stating that though he likes the outfits, he doesn't like them as a group. 

"What I care about is music /

And the communists have the music"

This part is what stumped me. Do the communists have the music? Well actually, yes they do. I believe this is a reference to communist folk artists Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger who have opposing beliefs to those mentioned earlier in the song and are heavily involved with the communist party. 

"I hear a melody /

And just as suddenly /

I know who I'm supposed to be"

Personally, I believe this part is supposed to be sarcastic. I believe he is making a commentary on how listening to communist music isn't going to make you a communist or change your ideologies. The belief being that the second you are exposed to communism, you'll turn into a communist. 

"I don't need a rationale /

To sing 'The Internationale'"

"The Internationale" is a popular leftist anthem from the 19th century. Again, the singer is restating that he doesn't feel the need to justify his taste because of the context in which the media is coming from.   

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Theme: Though, obviously one could argue that this song is simply a song about a man being accused of being a Communist during the McCarthyism era, I'd say it's more general than that. I believe it's a commentary on consumed media VS that person's ideologies. In simpler terms, what you listen to doesn't define your beliefs. And that you can enjoy something without agreeing with the underlying theme or message of the media you're consuming.  I also believe it is an obvious criticism of capitalism and American culture but that's pretty in your face. I feel like people tend to miss the general idea, the idea that you can just listen to your music without having it define you

What do you think? Do you agree? Do you disagree? Drop your own song analisys of whatever song in the replies