Here are interesting lyrics from two lesser-known songs, which both stand alone as poems.

Empire of the Senseless

from "The Mekons Rock 'n' Roll"

(release date: September 1989)

no one's making any noise now, sshhh,

we've been waiting for so long,

they took away our films and tapes and notebooks

but it's OK 'cause we've self-censored this song

but these lines are all individuals

and there's no such thing as a song

and even the silent are now guilty

in the empire of the senseless

what's your line of questioning sir?

i can't intercept a one word sentence

invent a war in secrecy

sliding scenery like a vintage toy

isn't plastic surgery wonderful?

satellite secret national security

turning journalists into heroes takes some doing

boring ollie north down in the subway dealing drugs and guns

turning little liars into heroes, it's what they've always done

empire of the senseless

this song promotes homosexuality

it's in a pretended family relationship

with the others on this record

and on the charts and on the jukebox

and in the radio

and in the radio

no one's making any noise now, sshhh

stay quiet

all unacceptable gropings have been removed from the screen

only eyes full of unspeakable thoughts remain

and even the silent are now guilty

in the empire of the senseless

baked beans, sugar, and margarine

bread, jam, groceries, and lard

for the unsentimental

the men who like the lady hard

the men who like the hard lady

and you know people are really rather afraid

afraid of being swamped

afraid of being swamped by selfishness and greed

Editor's note: The reference to the "hard lady" near the end perhaps represents Margaret Thatcher, as this song is from the UK of that era.

Stomach Ache

by Jekkers & Meinderts

The trains of his railway stand still in the station

And his bear lies fallen with its back on the platform.

Behind the lego farms and the cardboard church

Lies his football, red-orange, like a setting sun.

And when he calls, then his mother comes

Who gives him something to drink.

He is so sick. He has such a stomach ache

Because he has eaten too much.

Trains come and go in the real station.

She hawks cigarets on the crowded platform.

And in the cloudless sky, above concrete slums,

Above noisy streets, the sun burns all day.

She still hasn't sold anything today,

And there is no mother who gives anything.

She is so sick. She has such a stomach ache

Because she has nothing to eat.