The Offspring - Why Don't You Get A Job?

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.

Lyrics

My friend's got a girlfriend

Man, he hates that bitch

He tells me every day

He says, "Man, I really gotta lose my chick

In the worst kind of way."

She sits on her ass

He works his hands to the bone

To give her money every payday

But she wants more dinero just to stay at home

Well, my friend, you gotta say

"I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

Say, "No way," say, "No way-ya, no way

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

I guess all his money, well, it isn't enough

To keep her bill collectors at bay

I guess all his money, well, it isn't enough

'Cause that girl's got expensive taste

"I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

Say, "No way," say, "No way-ya, no way

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

Well, I guess it ain't easy doing nothing at all

But hey man, free rides just don't come along

Every day

Let me tell you about my other friend now

My friend's got a boyfriend

Man, she hates that dick

She tells me every day

He wants more dinero just to stay at home

Well, my friend, you gotta say

"I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

Say, "No way," say, "No way-ya, no way

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

"I won't give you no money, I always pay

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

Say, "No way," say, "No way-ya, no way

Na-na, why don't you get a job?"

Hey! That's something everyone can enjoy