The song "Greyhounds in the Slips" by The Joy Formidable tells a story of obedience, deception, and the consequences of blind conformity. The lyrics suggest a feeling of frustration and anger towards someone who is following orders without questioning their morality or implications. The opening lines, "Not today, you shit, smile and I hope that the rot, wraps tight within, [?]" express a disdainful and sarcastic insult towards the person being addressed. The speaker seems to wish for the negative consequences of their actions to manifest and consume them. The line "Milgram exposes all" refers to Stanley Milgram's famous psychological experiments on obedience to authority figures. The experiments revealed that most people are willing to harm others if instructed to do so by a perceived authority figure, even if it goes against their own moral compass. The questioning of acting and holding out against the consequences suggests that the speaker refuses to succumb to blind obedience, even though the circumstances may be difficult. The reference to "29" possibly symbolizes the notion of being trapped or stuck in a cycle, as 29 equals gone. It could imply that blindly following orders leads to a sense of emptiness, loss, or a deteriorating state of being. The repeated lines "Go on, go on, you're only obeying orders" emphasize the idea of mindless conformity, and the speaker's frustration with someone who unquestioningly follows instructions without considering the ethical implications. "To be failed by a false heart" suggests betrayal or disappointment by someone who acts dishonestly or insincerely. This further reinforces the theme of deception and blind obedience. The lines "Greyhounds in the slips, the grass starts to lift, you want your reward now you got it" might be metaphorical. Greyhounds in the slips refer to racing dogs eagerly awaiting their release to chase their reward. The grass starting to lift could signify the anticipation and excitement before the race begins. However, in the context of the song, it seems to imply that the person being addressed is eagerly seeking their desired outcome but will face the consequences for their actions. In summary, "Greyhounds in the Slips" explores themes of blind conformity, the consequences of following orders without question, and the frustration that arises from deception. The lyrics seek to criticize and challenge the idea of mindless obedience and encourage individual thinking and moral accountability.
