Why Don't You Get a Job? by The Offspring

Album: Americana (1999)

Charted: 2 74

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Songfacts®:

The sing-song melody is based on The Beatles song "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," with some elements of Simon & Garfunkel's "Cecilia." Despite the playful, upbeat Ska sound, the lyrics are dark and angry, implying an underlying sarcasm and resentment.
The lyrics tell the story of two people - a guy and a girl - who both drive their partners crazy by mooching off them and being lazy. They spend money, but refuse to get a job and pay for anything.
The Americana album examines the unpleasant side of life in America, and this song fits the concept by examining how so many people get by in the country without being productive and contributing to society.
At the end of the video, the character from The Offspring song "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" makes an appearance. Both videos were directed by McG, who before directing movies (Charlie's Angels, We Are Marshall), did a lot of videos for California-based bands like The Offspring, Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR, for all above
Offspring frontman Dexter Holland told the Los Angeles Times that a French fan interrupted his quiet moment of reflection at Jim Morrison's grave site in Paris by humming this tune.

Comments: 9

Paul from CanberraThis played on a stereo at a department store and and I saw an employee run to turn down the volume to mute the word bitch! Fun times.
Charles from VaIt's also clearly imitating "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night, in the verses. Unless they're both imitating a common source.
Fedev from ItalyIt is not a ripoff it is a parody of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" for hell's sake. In the original song the girl stays at home and sing with the band in the evening while the guy goes to work. It's a parody and a critique of the typical 50's American family and of the people not contributing to society.
Rocky from Tulsa, OkI still like this song & nearly everything by The Offspring. I like it for its sarcasm in presenting its story about social irresponsibility. Yeah! It may or may not have some similarities with The Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Cecilia," but I have tracks of both songs & they are s imply not "identical" enough to believe there is a chance of plagiarism. That's probably why McCartney and S-&-G have not filed a plagiarism lawsuit! This is likely a case of being influenced by "the spirit" of the songs. I think The Offspring have enough creativity to turn an influential song from another artist into a creation of their own. Other artists have done it without treading into the grounds of plagiarism. I love The Offspring for their creativity and songs that are a slice of life. Real life can be fun, shocking, hard, grievous, harmonious, rotten-to-the-core, and even enjoyable. Look at The Offspring's long list of songs and you'll see many examples of varieties of life. That's what I love about their songs. That's why I will always be a true fan!
Brian from Boston, MaYes it is a blatent ripp off. It is amazing to me that they have not been sued by Simon or McCartney They should sue them and all the proceeds should go to pay for musical instuments and classes for underprivlaged school children.
G from Potomac, MdThis is such a rip off. It's amazing what people can get away with.
Holly from Appleton, Wiit's a great and very true song.
Max from Loveland, Coi memorized this song the first time i heard it.
Ryan from Mobile, AlI only have one thing to say.
MY FRIEND'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND
MAN, HE HATES THAT B!TCH

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