: The lyrics list various "dead-end" jobs—such as bus driver, ambulance man, and ticket inspector—that the band viewed as dehumanizing tools of the establishment.
The song emerged during a period of severe economic decline and high unemployment in the UK. The title itself was inspired by a newspaper headline, a common source of inspiration for the band. : The lyrics list various "dead-end" jobs—such as
: The song rejects military conscription and service in the "tropical heat" (later changed to "Falklands Strait" in live performances like Live at Shea Stadium ). The Remastered Audio : The lyrics list various "dead-end" jobs—such as