This track from Smallpools delves into the juxtaposition between lofty ambitions and the stark reality of everyday survival. The initial verses depict a longing for exploration and intellectual pursuits, symbolized by references to "porridge" and the "Treaty Of Versailles." These aspirations are swiftly overshadowed by the practical need for stability, encapsulated in the repeated desire for a conventional "9 to 5" job. The imagery of "shoes stuck to the mortgage" and "zebra muscles sticking to the shale" conjures a sense of entrapment, where dreams are compromised by the necessity to meet financial responsibilities. In essence, the song critiques how societal pressures and economic needs often stifle personal growth and intellectual curiosity, underscoring a universal struggle between idealism and the mundane demands of daily life.
