How to create a value system for modern life? Just as this is hard to quantify, it is equally difficult to categorise the musical style of the Sunderland band, whose latest, sixth album, Open Here, addresses a variety of contemporary issues. Brothers David and Peter Brewis's style is articulate indie-art rock, pop and electronica, and on this track there are echoes of David Byrne's playful, eccentric quizzical eclecticism, especially high-pitched half-talking-singing style. Field Music can always be counted on to create thought-provoking music, and in contrast to many songs that look at social and political issues, the perspective is to be grateful for what we have, rather than for what we don't. It certainly makes a change.
If you've ever owned a car
Or you rent a car
Or you have a company car
Then count that up
Add it to the ever growing list of things you can't claim all the credit for
If your mother had a job
Your dad had a job
When you're growing up then count that up
'Cause pounds and pennies aren't the only kind of capital
If you've ever visited another country and walked through passport control
Then count that up
One more stamp in the book you'd like to call my own genius
Count it up
If you get to choose the clothes you wear and how you cut your hair
Then count that up
Count it up
And you utilise your democratic power for the good of somebody else.
Then try to …
Count it up
I'm quite a fashion follower …
Can't we give each other the tiniest benefit of it all
If you can go through day to day without the fear of violence
Count that up
Count it up
If people don't stare at you on the street because of the colour of your skin
Count that up
Count it up
If your body makes some kind of sense to you
Count that up
Count it up
And use the breath you have left to say something that matters
Then try to count it up
If you can turn on the tap
And your kids can drink the water
Count that up
Count it up
If you've ever had the luxury of turning down a job
Count that up
Count it up
If you had books and you had magazines in your house when you were kids
Don't forget
Don't forget
Don't forget to count it up
Count it up.
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