Industrial Disease

Album: Love Over Gold (1982)
Charted: 75
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song focuses on the decline of the British manufacturing industry in the 1980s. The song focuses on strikes, depression and disfunctionality.
  • The title of what later became an AC/DC song is mentioned in the lyrics: "Thunderstruck."
  • The reference to "brewers droop" as a medical condition is an in-joke, referring both to the effect of alcohol on libido and to the band of the same name that Mark Knopfler played in prior to Dire Straits. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alec - St.Louis, MO, for all above

Comments: 5

  • Michael from DcSeems like it should have been revived for COVID, disease, class warfare and free speech tourists
  • Don Coyote from Behind, YaClose similarities in sound to "Money For Nuthin".
  • Jim from Pleasant Hill, CaOne of the best rock intro buildups in any song, though it's hard to pick a favorite. I never really knew what this track was about; assumed it was an allegory.
  • Clovis from Boca Raton, FlGreat Song. Underrated.
  • Jay from St. Louis, MoClever lyrics!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.