The song "Faith & Virtue" by Steve Harley discusses the state of society and questions where we have gone wrong along the way. The lyrics suggest that we have lost touch with simple joys and innocence, represented by living on cartoons and Fridays and wishing on the moon. Instead, we have become too focused on regulations, lacking chaos and spontaneity in life. The song suggests that our priorities have shifted and we have lost our sense of purpose and peace of mind. We no longer have a sense of home, and the trade mentioned in the lyrics refers to the choices and decisions we have made that have led us to this state. The lack of faith and virtue mentioned portrays a loss of moral compass and values. The lyrics also mention dining out on Sunday or swimming in acid rain, which can be interpreted as metaphorical representations of unenjoyable or harmful experiences. This further emphasizes the bleakness and dissatisfaction the songwriter feels with the current state of affairs. The song asks rhetorical questions of where we went wrong and how we learned this trade, suggesting that there may have been a gradual decline rather than a sudden change. The lyrics imply a longing for a return to simpler times, where we rise in the morning like being carried through the ranks and believe in messages of thanks. Overall, "Faith & Virtue" reflects on the loss of innocence, joy, and purpose in society, leaving listeners to ponder the consequences of the choices we have made and aspire for a more fulfilling existence.
