In the opening sequence to the video it shows two friends that start there lives the same "Riding their bikes with no handlebars."
As they eventually come to a fork in the road, the two friends split paths. One goes to the pure, more natural side (Represented by the dove on the street sign), the other, to corporate America.(Represented by the C on the street sign.)
The first verse is about the kid that chose the pure side.He seems to be more like an average person. He has accomplished few less noticeable, or big, if you will, accomplishments such as, "Tying knots in cherry stems, or scratching records."
At first, the corporate friend calls and says that his life has been good so far. But the big difference is how in Corporate America, He is exposed to the lifestyle that comes with making money. He then starts to work his way up the corporate ladder, starting as a businessman. His persuasiveness (Which plays a rather important role later on in the story). He, along with his friends also apparently "Know the future." This represents the ignorance that the government possesses. The government always "knows" what the future with holds, when in reality, they are making the average people, like his friend, lives worse every minute.
When he says, "I can lead a nation with a microphone" this is where his ignorance kicks in. This part reminds me of Adolph Hitler. He could have been one of the best leaders ever, just like our corporate friend, out of sheer persuasiveness, but unfortunately, they both abused their power.
When he says "It feels so good to be alive and on top." This is where his most major change occurs. This shows his arrogance. Many leaders abuse power because they think they have the right to make innocent peoples lives miserable. They start to do things because they can, basically. This moral is often repeated throughout the song.
In the scene after the sax solo, the pure friend helps up an old and helpless man. The corporate frined was preaching to him at the same time. This shows that Corporate America brings no happiness or hope to anyone. However, being true to yourself does.
Seconds later, a man spray paints over the corporate friends face. This shows that just because you are powerful, it does not mean you are good, or going to be loved.
"My reach is global... My power is pure" This shows the security that comes with having power, you are not going to be kicked out, and yet again, arrogance is present because he thinks what he is doing is right, when it really isn't.
The next few lines, "Hand out a million vaccinations" to, "I have it all under my command." This proves that the president, our corporate friend, has control over anything he pleases. You guessed it, arrogance is evident yet again.
The line, "I can fire a missile by satellite, I can hit a target through telescope." shows the power that corporate people have over the average, every-day people.
Our pure friend is then seen leading a rebellion against his old friend. Just about all of America behind him. This shows how much of an effect power has over even the closest of friends. It can even make them betray each other. At this point our corporate friend is now showing nervousness in his face, knowing he did the wrong thing(Choosing power over purity).
"I can lead a nation into a Holocaust". Here is another reference to Hitler. Power-stricken they both lead their nation into an eternal downfall.
His old friend then gets shot. He is now horrified and regrets everything he has done.
Whether the moral is stay true to yourself, choose purity over power, or if it I a story about Nazi Germany,this song is pretty deep and meaningful. You don't need to listen to what I said, I just wanted to help.
