Social Fools

Song Name:  Social Fools

Released Versions:

Social Fools [hardcore demo] (3:37) - Hardcore Volume 1

Social Fools (Early version) (2:56) - Art Devo 1973-1977

Social Fools [Stiff single] (2:48) - Be Stiff b/w Social Fools

Social Fools [Virgin single] (2:52) - Come Back Jonee b/w Social Fools

Social Fools [live] (3:20) - Hardcore DEVO Live!

Years Performed:  1977,  2014 ^{setlist.fm stats}

Writing Credits:  Gerald V. Casale

Sung By:  Gerald V. Casale (lead vox),  Bob Mothersbaugh (backing vox)

Personnel:

( As listed in HARDCORE.)

Jerry Casale - bass

Mark Mothersbaugh - synths

Bob Mothersbaugh - guitar

Jim Mothersbaugh - drums

2014:  Jerry, Mark, Bob 1, Josh.  (HARD CORE TOUR 2014)

Trivia / Info:

• Considered for inclusion on DEVO's first album.
• “Social Fools” also appears within a medley in the studio version demo of “Somewhere With DEVO”, segueing from and to “Somewhere”.

Lyrics:

     [One, two, one, two]
     If you obey society's rules
     You will be society's fools
     Then you'll obey and then disobey
     You'll disobey but then you'll obey
     

     You thought your Mom and Dad were fools
     You never wanted to listen in school
     Now your mind won't go where you want to take it
     You got a ride but you're not gonna make it
     

     You'll never catch up
     Dad, pass the catsup
     Hey! Clean that mess up, 'fess up, listen up
     

     [One, two,]
     If you obey society's fools
     You will be society's tools
     And you'll obey and then disobey
     You'll disobey but then you'll obey
     

     You thought your Mom and Dad were queer
     You always wanted egg in your beer
     Now your dog won't go when you try to make it
     He's got a bone but he's not gonna shake it
     
 
         (instrumental solos)
     

     If you take society's tools
     You will make society's rules
     Which you'll obey and then disobey
     You'll disobey but then you'll obey
     

     You thought your Mom and Dad were fools
     You never wanted to listen in school
     Now your mind won't go where you want to take it
     You got a ride but you're not gonna make it
     

     You'll never catch up
     Dad, pass the catsup!
     

     That's all for now
     That's all we know
     This is the end

Additional Info:

• If you obey society's rules, You will be society's fools
  If you obey society's fools, You will be society's tools

The “Social Fools” lyrics may be DEVO telling us what they know about what happens to those who conform and showing how rebellion is obsolete.

• The Devo demos six-song lyric sheet first features the lyrics of "Social Fools".

Two printings of the two-sided sheet are reproduced in the book DEVO: Unmasked. (The second lyric sheet, seen on page 39, was passed out to every participant of the Governance Chambers filming for "Jocko Homo", 1976. Jocko Homo lyrics are circled.)

Links:

Social Fools (Overview) MusicBrainz

"Social Fools" DEVO (Master) Discogs

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