"Business Is Business" by Joan Armatrading is a song about the relentless pursuit of money and the cold, impersonal nature of the business world. The lyrics portray a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the way money and capitalist values dominate relationships and interactions. The singer contemplates calling someone to ask for money, implying that they have a personal connection but are willing to use the person's office telephone to avoid any emotional connection. This highlights the transactional nature of relationships within the business world. The repeated phrase "Business is business" emphasizes the belief that in the business world, personal matters and emotions should be set aside in order to prioritize financial gain. The singer feels unheard and misunderstood, expressing their frustration at the lack of empathy and understanding from others when they try to explain their problems. The lyrics also allude to the idea of betrayal and deception in the business world. The line "Someone comes and steals your wife, it doesn't matter at all" suggests that personal relationships are secondary to the pursuit of money and success. The emphasis on counting money and fraud implies a sense of corruption and dishonesty within the business environment. Overall, "Business Is Business" conveys a sense of disillusionment and critique of the profit-driven, impersonal nature of the business world. It speaks to the dehumanizing effects of prioritizing financial gain over genuine human connection.
