John Grant's song "Global Warming" discusses various topics, primarily focusing on societal issues and personal frustrations in a humorous and satirical manner. The lyrics touch upon themes such as social classes, the loss of beloved figures, the effects of global warming, and people's obsession with appearance. Grant starts by criticizing the use of superficial terms and labels that people use to categorize themselves, suggesting that everyone thinks they are tough or "bad-ass" in today's world. He then expresses his sadness over the loss of his favorite actress, Madeline Kahn, and the transformation of a familiar place, Bonnie Doon's, into a generic auto zone. This suggests that the world is changing in ways that are disappointing to him. Moving on, Grant highlights the impact of global warming on his physical appearance, sarcastically mentioning how it accentuates his imperfections. He also criticizes the encouragement of global warming, suggesting that it motivates violent and uncivilized behavior in people, depicted with the phrase "slack-jawed troglodytes" who engage in criminal acts. The song continues with Grant's annoyance towards people who obsess over the sun and their appearance, comparing them to Aztec Indians. He describes how these people crowd the streets, congratulating each other on their pedicured feet. Grant admits to being tempted by the sight of attractive skateboarders but acknowledges that he is already in a committed relationship. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the negative consequences of global warming and Grant's frustration with societal issues. He sarcastically comments on the need for more "third world problems" to put his own trivial concerns into perspective. Overall, John Grant's "Global Warming" uses satire and wit to criticize societal behavior, including the obsession with appearance, the impact of climate change, and the way people categorize and perceive themselves.
