The New Gold Standard

Is the party nearly over? Wonder who stole the bread
Like a beggar on the corner with a price on his head
Does it get worse than people thinking that you're already dead?

And I feel
Bought at a distance
Cut in the shade

Son, don't learn to write a song, it's just a modern disgrace
When some can write an algorithm matching music to taste
It's a culture coliseum putting art in its place

And I feel
Born at a distance
Wrought in the shade

Maybe Kafka was right
You'll be caught dead where you're standing
The hunger artist's life is just too demanding
As they all line-up to hear the new gold standard
The weak and injured will be last on the train
In fact, we'll leave them all behind and keep more money that way
As they all line-up to hear the new gold standard

The prince dressed as a pauper; oldest trick in the book
The good will work for nothing so the rest must be crooks
No one's got a conscience, kids, quick, go take a look

And I feel
Bought at a distance
Cut in the shade

Gather boys and girls, you'll want to catch the next show
It costs, well, almost nothing, except for checking your coat
Four gentlemen will synchronize the slit of their throats

And I feel
Bought at a distance
Cut in the shade

Maybe Kafka was right
You'll be caught dead where you're standing
The hunger artist's life is just too demanding
As they all line-up to hear the new gold standard
The weak and injured will be last on the train
In fact, we'll leave them all behind and keep more money that way
As they all line-up to hear the new gold standard

It's absurd
It's uncaring
It's at its worst when the public is staring
See 'em all line up to hear the new gold standard
No goals
No innovating
Just one sound: and it's the bleating of mating
As they all line-up to hear the new gold standard