Analysis of Virgin

Aidan B. GOVT Political song: Virgin Manchester Orchestra

Because Manchester Orchestra only recently released their new single, Virgin, it has many interpretations; however, I feel I come closest when I say its subject matter is political. Like many songs in its genre, its convoluted metaphors group together into a direct message having to do with Americas corruption. The song briefs over the artists opinion of how America is slowly crumbling, stemming from both the masses and the officials with their constant bickering. These two factions take siege on each other, resulting in not only the corruption of themselves, but also the children, or the next generation. The masses (pardon my French) screw America by not being politically active and giving in to consumerism relying on outsourced products/major consumerism. The Government is using power for their benefit, doing anything they can to stay in office. Both Government and the masses are rusting away the house our forefathers created. The chorus gives two points of views; we represents the face of the Government speaking, while you refers to the masses. The chorus reads we built this house with our hands, and our time, and our blood. You build this up in one day to fall downward and rust, and goes on to repeat it with we/you switched around. The house represents America, its reputation, and the social pyramid that weve created. When in the point of view of the Government, the first fraise describes how politicians work to maintain the nations safety and stability. The second fraise (you build this up in one day to fall downward and rust) refers to how the masses have taken our rights for granted, not fighting unjustness, and feeding the capitol monster that is consumerism. The artist uses the eerie voices of

children in order to emphasize the affect that present happenings will have on the next leaders: the youth. In the second fraise, the term rust is used to symbolize the continuing dilapidation of Americas existence, while no one addresses said rusting. As for the Masses point of view, in which the fraise changes to you built this house the fraise expresses how the masses had as much a part in creating and maintaining America as the Government has, throughout history.