I wrote For Pete’s Sake out of a strange kind of frustration, the kind that comes taking a step back and observing different juristictions when the leaders they voted for take actions that deviate from the norms of expectation.
Typically, the story involves a loved and respected leader achieving a sizeable majority and then, to outside observers, transforming into an autocrat or “dictator-lite”. Of course, such labels are subjective and fuelled by emotion, but that’s not what this song is about.
In Australia, Bob Hawke was a “man of the people’ and “worker representative” who got into power and then oversaw a dramatic, economic overhaul of our economy along neoliberalist lines. He floated the dollar, deregulated the finance industry, cut tariffs, allowed foreign banks to enter the market, pursued privatisation/corporatisation, lowered top marginal tax rates, and applied wider market “reform”. Jobs were lost, especially in manufacturing, and in the Covid crisis Australia realised it had ceded sovereign capability in important sectors. In short, making us global exposed us to global shock waves with no fat on the bone.
Other examples include the warm and cuddly Tony Blair winning power in the UK and then leaving many of Margaret Thatcher’s “hated” econominc policies in place. Similarly, Alexis Tsipras in Greece was elected in 2015 as the anti-austerity leader, and then later that year accepted a bail out that forced him to apply harsh austerity measures.
What tipped me over into actually writing the song was the use of names to belittle people protesting what they perceive is wanton destruction of their park lands for dubious economic beneft. The first verse deals with that, juxtaposing a holy angel looking down their nose at the contemptible little humans.
In many of these cases, such leaders focus on vanity projects and glitzy activities because they are easier than doing the mundane, slow, hard work of improving social structures. I call it their preference for verbal karate. And what follows from this is the sweetheart deals arranged with mates, backers, influencers, all hidden behind the veil of “commercial in confidence” which is the mighty “get out of jail free” card for governments doing shady deals their “public” just won’t be smart enough to understand.
On that note, the bridge is a reminder that the best tool protesters have is to keep shining a light on the dirty laundry in the hope that one day shame will regain its power and compel a leaders to repent and return to governing on behalf of their people instead of chasing vanities.
So For Pete’s Sake uses ska as the musical style because just like Mary Poppins taught us that s spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, this musical genre helps convey a bitter message with minimal pain.
It’s not a protest song in the traditional sense. I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything. It’s more a release valve, my way of reminding us of the rules of the game and the need to have patience while not giving up the role of being the remnant people who are witnesses to dishonourable actions.
For Pete’s Sake lyrics
[Verse 1]
When you have a leader
Who thinks they’ve become St Peter
Get ready for some time in hell
Coz angels do not hear you
And don’t like getting near you
When they can smell your human smell
[Chorus]
For Pete’s Sake
Don’t disturb their speech
For Pete’s Sake
Don’t march in the street
For Pete’s Sake
You can have your say
It happens now and then, and it’s called Election Day
[Verse 2]
When you have a Party
That prefers verbal karate
Than doing things considered hard
They will not pay attention
To anything you mention
They’ll only show you disregard
[Chorus]
For Pete’s Sake
Don’t disturb their speech
For Pete’s Sake
Don’t march in the street
For Pete’s Sake
You can have your say
It happens now and then, and it’s called Election Day
[Verse 3]
So when they get the power
That grows stronger by the hour
Like the pigs in animal farm
They start to slash and burn
Give their mates an extra turn
Announced with manufactured charm
[Chorus]
For Pete’s Sake
Don’t disturb their speech
For Pete’s Sake
Don’t march in the street
For Pete’s Sake
You can have your say
It happens now and then, and it’s called Election Day
[Bridge]
So what can we do to change our fate
That’s better than just sitting down to wait?
We can’t pray to St Peter coz he’s on the other side
But we can expose the shadows where the dirty laundry hides
[Final Chorus]
For Pete’s Sake
DO disturb their speech
For Pete’s Sake
COME march in the street
For Pete’s Sake
You can have your say
It happens every moment, from now til Election Day
It happens every moment, from now til Election Day
It happens every moment, from now til Election Day
Listen to For Pete’s Sake
For Pete’s Sake scratchings
Here are photos of the pages where the song took shape through my pen.
