Once, long ago there was a time
in what now seems a distant land.
Each small boutique was precious and unique,
'cause every little thing was made by hand.
Then there came a revolution.
The progress of production was it's aim.
Now instead of one there are many and each costs just a penny. But every single one looks just the same.
Now there's a Starbucks on every b***** corner.
McDonalds on everybody's street.
There's White Castle, Wendy's and Wal-Mart.
And then it all repeats.
If you're the kind that looks down on the masses,
even for you there's a feint.
Get some New Rocks or a pair of Docs.
Looks just like those who ain't.
And that is how (Tell us how)
It came to be (How can it be?)
After two long centuries.
That in the name (What's in a name?)
Of human greed
The industrial revolution fixed everything for me.
And so now if one does well with a business
they open two more and then three.
They buy in bulk in big massive hulks
at which points its nearly free.
As they grow bigger their prices get lower
until they become a chain.
The smaller stores all shutter their doors
and buckle neath the strain.
And that is how (Tell us how)
It came to be (How can it be?)
After two long centuries.
That in the name (What's in a name?)
Of human greed
The industrial revolution fixed everything for everyone.
It came into our lives and gave us uniformity
by taking choice away from you and me.
And that is how (Tell us how)
It came to be (How can it be?)
After two long centuries.
That in the name (What's in a name?)
Of human greed
The industrial revolution fixed everything for every b***** one.
It came into our lives and gave us uniformity
by taking choice away from you
(taking choice away from me)
Taking choice away from you and me.
Now the machines are working tirelessly
through all night and day,
making garbage in our image
for a world that's made our way.
And they won't stop until every inch from Peru to Bombay Looks like a mall in the US of A.
in what now seems a distant land.
Each small boutique was precious and unique,
'cause every little thing was made by hand.
Then there came a revolution.
The progress of production was it's aim.
Now instead of one there are many and each costs just a penny. But every single one looks just the same.
Now there's a Starbucks on every b***** corner.
McDonalds on everybody's street.
There's White Castle, Wendy's and Wal-Mart.
And then it all repeats.
If you're the kind that looks down on the masses,
even for you there's a feint.
Get some New Rocks or a pair of Docs.
Looks just like those who ain't.
And that is how (Tell us how)
It came to be (How can it be?)
After two long centuries.
That in the name (What's in a name?)
Of human greed
The industrial revolution fixed everything for me.
And so now if one does well with a business
they open two more and then three.
They buy in bulk in big massive hulks
at which points its nearly free.
As they grow bigger their prices get lower
until they become a chain.
The smaller stores all shutter their doors
and buckle neath the strain.
And that is how (Tell us how)
It came to be (How can it be?)
After two long centuries.
That in the name (What's in a name?)
Of human greed
The industrial revolution fixed everything for everyone.
It came into our lives and gave us uniformity
by taking choice away from you and me.
And that is how (Tell us how)
It came to be (How can it be?)
After two long centuries.
That in the name (What's in a name?)
Of human greed
The industrial revolution fixed everything for every b***** one.
It came into our lives and gave us uniformity
by taking choice away from you
(taking choice away from me)
Taking choice away from you and me.
Now the machines are working tirelessly
through all night and day,
making garbage in our image
for a world that's made our way.
And they won't stop until every inch from Peru to Bombay Looks like a mall in the US of A.