Masses Against the Classes

Manic Street Preachers

About Masses Against the Classes

"The Masses Against the Classes" is a song by Manic Street Preachers, released as a limited-edition single in January 2000. It was a stand-alone single, not featured on any studio album, and was deleted, removed from wholesale supply, on the day of release. Despite being deleted on the day of release, the single peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart.


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THE COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PROTECT PROPERTY FROM THE MAJORITY
AND SO IT REMAINS

1, 2, 3, 4 

Hello it's us again 
We're still so in love with you 
And yes we mean it too 
Yes we're so in love with you 

Hello it's us again 
You thought you were our friends 
Success is an ugly word 
Especially in your tiny world 

The masses against the classes 
I'm tired of giving a reason 
When the future is what we believe in
We love winter 
It brings us closer together 

So can you hurt us anymore 
Can you feel like it was before 
Or are you lost forever more 
Messed up and dead on alcohol 

Hello, fond farewell my dears 
I hope you hear this nice and clear 
Our love is unconditional 
Our hate is yours to feed upon 

The masses against the classes 
I'm tired of giving a reason 
When the future is what we believe in
We love the winter 
It brings us closer together 

The masses against the classes 
I'm tired of giving a reason 
When we're the only thing left to believe in
We love the winter 
It brings us closer together 

A SLAVE BEGINS BY DEMANDING JUSTICE 
AND ENDS BY WANTING TO WEAR A CROWN

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Manic Street Preachers

Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band that was formed in 1986 in Blackwood, South Wales and consists of James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals and lead guitar), Nicky Wire (bass guitar and lyrics) and Sean Moore (drums and percussion). The band is part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s. They are colloquially known as "The Manics", or simply, "Manics". Originally a quartet, the band became a trio when primary lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards disappeared on 1 February 1995. more »

2 fans

Written by: JAMES BRADFIELD, NICHOLAS JONES, SEAN MOORE

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Release & Chart Performance
"The Masses Against the Classes" was released by Manic Street Preachers on January 10, 2000. Despite its political message, the song achieved chart success and became the band's second number 1 single on the UK Singles Chart.
Lyrics & Theme
The song takes its title from a quote by 19th century British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone: "All the world over, I will back the masses against the classes". This quote also prefaces the song on the single. - The lyrics are a biting critique of societal class divide and inequalities, which is a recurring theme in Manic Street Preachers' works.
Limited Release & Withdrawal
The single's release was strictly limited to 200,000 copies and was deleted on the day of release, meaning that no more copies were produced. This led to the unusual situation of a number one record dropping straight out of the Top 20 in its second week of chart eligibility and exit from the Top 40 two weeks later.
Music Video
The music video for "The Masses Against the Classes" was directed by W.I.Z., who had previously worked with other artists like Oasis and Arctic Monkeys. The video was filmed on the Severn Beach line, a local railway in Bristol, UK.
Live Performances
The song became a crowd favourite at live shows, often being the choice for opening, and was part of their setlist for their 2002 Long Black Coat tour.
Audio Sample
The intro of the song features a short sample of Noam Chomsky delivering a lecture, while the end uses a sample from a speech given by British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. These samples further add to the political commentaries embedded in the song.
Return to Style
According to many fans and critics, "The Masses Against The Classes" was seen as a return to the Manic Street Preachers' earlier, more political and 'rockier' style after their more commercial album "This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours".
Awards
Even with its limited release, the single went on to win the "Best Track" award at the 2000 NME Premier Awards.

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