"Pills and Soap" is a song by Elvis Costello and The Attractions from their album "Punch the Clock" released in 1983. The song is a satirical commentary on society's obsession with tabloid news, media manipulation, and the disregard for the suffering of others. The lyrics start by describing how the media invades the privacy of a grieving family, referring to interviewing the sister, father, and mother and exploiting their pain for profit. The tears on the sister's face are highlighted as the camera zooms in, emphasizing the emotional manipulation. The chorus implies that the media and society may try to cover up or fix the situation ("putting them back together with paper and paste"), but the damage is irreparable. The line "What would you say? What would you do?" questions the moral responsibility of those involved. The following verse criticizes the exploitation of children and animals, suggesting that they are being used and discarded ("melt them down for pills and soap"). This metaphor implies that even innocent beings are not spared from the selfishness and greed of society. The lyrics mention "four and twenty crowbars" and "jemmy your desire," suggesting that people are willing to go to extreme lengths to fulfill their own desires, even if it means causing harm to others. The reference to the king in the counting house indicates the privileged few who have everything, leaving the rest with mere pictures of their wealth. The line "There are ashtrays of emotion for the fag ends of the aristocracy" criticizes the insincere display of emotions by the wealthy, questioning their true concern for others. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the bitter reality that although society may pretend to care, it is ultimately empty gestures. The line "Your country needs you, but you know it never will" suggests that despite the obligations individuals may feel towards their country, the system itself remains indifferent to their needs. The song concludes with the lyrics encouraging the audience to "pack up their troubles" and not waste time, suggesting that they should come together and resist the manipulation and hypocrisy they see in society. Overall, "Pills and Soap" is a scathing critique of media sensationalism, social inequality, and the lack of empathy in society. Elvis Costello and The Attractions use biting sarcasm and dark humor to highlight these issues and provoke listeners to question the status quo.
