Walking Billboards

I saw somebody yesterday who was advertising soft drinks for the USA
A corporate logo on trendy shoes made sure everyone caught the news
I asked him how much the company had paid
To have its name so prominently displayed
This must have confused the poor lad - he looked like he thought I was mad
Is it you or me who is confused, when you're paying for the privilege
Of being used as a human promotion
To advertise big money interests and corporate lies?
Further on was a kid trying to live out his dream
That he's playing for his favourite football team
Kitted out in all the proper gear that the manufacturers change four times a year
Kids don't want a kit that's become outdated
And are too young to realise they're being manipulated
A slight change in design (but with the same corporate logo)
For the team and the sponsors this spells money a-go-go
The peer pressure to buy expensive football shirts
Hits low-income parents exactly where it hurts
And how much do you think the player has paid
To have his name so prominently displayed?
So, I continued walking along and I saw someone
Wearing a shirt with a band name on
I asked him how much the band had paid to have
They're name so prominently displayed
He told me that I'd got it wrong
He'd bought the shirt because he likes their song
I said, "And you paid 8 pounds to tell me this?"
Feeling rather foolish, he answered "Yes"
Is it you who's crazy, or is it me when you spend your money
To point out to society the names of the bands whose records you like to play?
Is this the most important thing that you have to say?
Maybe there's something that I have missed, but why is it that people seem to insist
That their bodies are there to be used
To promote other people's skills, or products, or views?
Whether it's Man. United, or Coca Cola, or some irrelevant rock 'n' roller
They rely on you to spread their name, and thereby increase their fortune and fame
Through following all the latest fads
You become walking billboards giving freebie ads
You make them household names, or superstars
And you pay for the privilege - what mugs you are