While listening to a number of old CDs, I came across one of my favorite late 80s, early 90s bands that wasn’t as successful as I would have wanted–Information Society. If you remember them at all, you would probably recognize them as the band that sang “What’s On Your Mind” the techno song which sampled Dr. Spock saying “Pure, Energy. Pure, Pure, Energy”. I believe they initially became popular with “Running” which is a fun song in its own right.
But their best song was “Peace & Love, Inc.” It is absolutely perfect for this year’s political season. The lyrics take a bit harder aim at the left I think, but there is plenty for everyone to enjoy. And the video takes aim at product marketing with: “Envy” shoes, “Morality” Deodorant, “Good Cause” bleach, “Guilt” Soap, “Family Values” toilet paper, “Shame” toothpaste, a “Clean Conscience” gun, and “Compassion” perfume. It ends with the words “We’ll Protect You from Loneliness” on the screen.
Here are the lyrics:
(spoken)
Peace and Love Incorporated: because the Truth is available in limited quantities.
(sung)
Look at the world
It’s a complicated place
And it’s hard to keep the pace
You’ve got to wear a smiling faceBut what we’ve got is a blue-light special on truth
It’s the hottest thing with the youth
You’ve got nerves we need to sootheIf you’ve got to believe in something
Believe in us ’cause we make it easyPeace and Love, Incorporated
Shop around, see if you dont agree
We think it fits you to a “T”
And the best part is its freeI do believe we’ve got the market cornered this time
We can make you feel fine
It could impact your bottom lineIf you’ve got to believe in something
Believe in us ’cause we make it easy
If you’ve got to belong to something
Belong to us and we’ll make you P.C.Peace and Love, Incorporated
Peace and love, it’s the newest cause by far
And we’ve got all the biggest stars
Get your politics up to parIf you’ve got to believe in something
Believe in us ’cause we make it easy
If you’ve got to belong to something
Belong to us and we’ll make you P.C.
If you’ve got to have faith in something
Have faith in us, it can be so easyPeace and Love, Incorporated
Wow, someone else who remembers Information Society. I need to find my copy of “Hack” and rip it into iTunes.
Dr. Spock, the developmental psychology guru, or Mr. Spock, the Vulcan science officer?
Whoops, that would be Mr. Spock, the Vulcan science officer.
The lyrics take a bit harder aim at the left I think
Depends which direction you’re squinting from, really.
Really, the song takes aim at hypocritical pieties, doesn’t it? It’s in the tradition of songs that say “Puritans think they know what’s best for you, but they aren’t on the dance floor. Dance! Dance! Dance!” I associate the song with Camille Paglia, PC-chic/PC-hysteria, Mondo 2000-stylee techno-libertarianism, and the thrill of believing that lots of music, lots of silicon, and lots of drugs would solve everything. Ah, the early ’90s!
Gotta say, though, that second stanza–“the blue-light special on truth”–sounds a lot like a certain Presidential Administration we all know.
(Btw, according to Allmusic, Peace & Love, Inc. was released on 3 Nov., 1992. Is this synchronicity?)
Now that is an interesting coincidence!