"Anaesthetist" by Enter Shikari is a song that criticizes the healthcare industry and the capitalist system. The lyrics express frustration towards doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and the exploitation of people's health for profit. The song starts with a call for the Anaesthetist, symbolizing the desire to undergo surgery or escape reality due to the corrupt state of the world. The protagonist believes that going under the knife is the only way to find relief or change. The lyrics then turn confrontational, referring to the doctors as "fucking spanner" and accusing them of being mere cogs in the industrial complex. They shed blood for conflicted interests, play God without considering the consequences, and suck the blood of the afflicted. This portrays the healthcare system as exploitative, prioritizing profit over people's well-being. The song highlights the injustice in treating illness as an indulgence to be paid for or as a crime to be punished. The protagonist challenges this belief and is willing to put their own health at risk to fight against it. The lyrics criticize the societal pressure to pursue wealth and fame, rejecting these shallow values. The band refuses to participate in this game and instead emphasizes the importance of human connection and compassion. They want to focus on the genuine emotions and desires that reside within each person. The song also touches on the unequal distribution of healthcare resources. While the protagonist mocks the doctors, they also acknowledge that people are forced to rely on them. They toast to the doctors' health, but remind them that they profit from the suffering and misfortune of others. In the chorus, the plea to fetch the Anaesthetist is repeated, emphasizing the need for escape or change. The protagonist believes that going under the knife is a way to believe in something different and fight against the exploitation they see. The song ends with a strong statement against the healthcare system, refusing to let doctors profit from people's health. It urges them to step back and ends with a call to action in favor of change.
