Bedtime for Democracy


Bedtime for Democracy is the fourth and final studio album by American punk rock band Dead Kennedys. Released in 1986, songs on this album cover common punk subjects often found in punk rock lyrics of the era as conformity, Reaganomics, the U.S. military, and critique of the hardcore punk movement. The album's title refers to the 1951 comedy film, Bedtime for Bonzo starring Ronald Reagan and also reflects the band's weary bitterness from the financially and emotionally draining trial they were being subjected to at the time over the controversial art included with their previous album. By the time recording of Bedtime for Democracy had begun, the Dead Kennedys had already played what would be their last concert with Jello Biafra and announced their breakup immediately after the release of the record, whose opening track is a cover of David Alan Coe's "Take This Job and Shove It."

Track listing

All songs written by Jello Biafra except when stated.
;Side A
  1. "Take This Job and Shove It" – 1:25
  2. "Hop with the Jet Set" – 2:07
  3. "Dear Abby" – 1:09
  4. "Rambozo the Clown" – 2:25
  5. "Fleshdunce" – 1:29
  6. "The Great Wall" – 1:32
  7. "Shrink" – 1:44
  8. "Triumph of the Swill" – 2:17
  9. "Macho Insecurity" – 1:30
  10. "I Spy" – 2:30
  11. "Cesspools in Eden" – 5:56
;Side B
  1. "One-Way Ticket to Pluto" – 1:38
  2. "Do the Slag" – 1:36
  3. "A Commercial" – 1:33
  4. "Gone with My Wind" – 1:43
  5. "Anarchy for Sale" – 1:18
  6. "Chickenshit Conformist" – 5:58
  7. "Where Do Ya Draw the Line" – 2:39
  8. "Potshot Heard 'Round the World" – 2:10
  9. "D.M.S.O." - 2:09
  10. "Lie Detector" – 3:43

    Personnel

Related

The East Bay punk band Isocracy parodied the name in their 1988 EP, Bedtime for Isocracy. The cover art depicted the band together in a bed, accompanied by Jello Biafra. After the record's release, Isocracy split up, with two members forming the group Samiam and another joining Green Day.

Certifications