Elvis Costello's song "Hurry Down Doomsday (The Bugs Are Taking Over)" is a satirical commentary on society, particularly criticizing the obsession with fame, consumerism, and the devaluation of art and spirituality. The lyrics highlight various absurd situations and characters, painting a picture of a world that is being consumed by triviality and superficiality. The man in the corner of the picture symbolizes someone with a sinister purpose, planting a trashy paperback book for accidental purchase. This represents the spreading of meaningless and useless information that dominates popular culture. The reference to the "secrets of life and other useless things" suggests that society is more interested in trivial matters rather than exploring deeper knowledge and understanding. The song also references a woman who sleeps with the shirt of a late country singer, indicating the obsession with celebrity and the unhealthy influence it can have on personal relationships. The line "in time you can turn these obsessions into careers" suggests that society rewards and glorifies these types of superficial fixations. The chorus "Hurry down Doomsday, the bugs are taking over" is a metaphor for the impending downfall of society. The bugs symbolize the harmful effects of the superficial and trivial aspects of society, slowly devouring genuine culture, values, and meaningful connections. The urgency in the chorus calls for a wake-up call, urging people to recognize the destructive path they are on. The later verses continue to critique various aspects of society, dismissing important figures and institutions such as Beethoven, Rembrandt, religion, iconic brands like Marlboro and Coca Cola, and even political leaders like Buddha, Allah, Jesus, and Jehovah. This conveys the idea that society has become so preoccupied with superficial and materialistic things that it neglects the genuine contributions and values these figures represent. In the final verse, the song warns of a future where a giant insect mutation will consume the "white man's burden" - a reference to the historical belief of white colonial powers considering it their duty to civilize other nations. This suggests that the consequences of a society obsessed with triviality and superficiality will eventually catch up to them. Overall, "Hurry Down Doomsday (The Bugs Are Taking Over)" serves as a critique of society's fixation on shallow and superficial pursuits, and a call for individuals to wake up and prioritize genuine connections, knowledge, and values before it's too late.
