We're Just Keeping The Population Down

Ambitious Outsiders
Words by Morrissey - Music by Alain Whyte

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"But don't underestimate us!"

Bolt-lock your doors
alarm your cars
and still we move in closer
every day
Top of the list
is your smiling kids
but we'll be smiling too
so that's OK
oh, and by the way
thank you, because you're
giving, giving, giving
and we're receiving —
No, no, we're taking
keeping the population down
Your taxes paid, but
police waylaid
and we knows
when the school bus
comes and goes
We're on your street, but
you don't see us
or, if you do
you smile and say Hello
BUT DON'T UNDERESTIMATE US
when you are
giving, giving, giving
and we're receiving —
No, no, we're taking
just keeping
the population down
Giving, giving, giving
well it's your own fault
for reproducing
We're just keeping
the population down

Players
Martin (Boz) Boorer (guitar)
Alain Whyte (guitar)
Jonny Brigwood (bass guitar)
Spencer James Cobrin (drums)
Uncredited strings - or synths?

Officially Released Versions
Maladjusted album (July 1997) - Produced by Steve Lillywhite

Live History
This song was played regularly during the Maladjusted tour in 1997. While playing this song, Morrissey used the spotlights to great effect, having them shine up on him so that his shadow displayed ominously on the back of the stage. I somehow doubt that this song will show up again onstage...

Critical Commentary
"... a magnificently melodramatic effort" - Dave Thompson, Alternative Press, 1997
"'Ambitious Outsiders' is lyrically a close relative of Your Arsenal's more threatening moments but the unpleasant subject matter here is veiled to the point of total obscurity - it could be about terrorists, paedophiles, Kula Shaker. Whatever, the string arrangement is unnecessarily oppressive and the overall feel is dirge-like." - Bob Stanley, Uncut
"'Ambitious Outsiders' continues a rather overworked series of anthems in homage of the underclasses that after five albums is getting a bit monotonous." - New Zealand University

Comtesse Review (as if you care)
Being a sick fuck (as Maladjusted's Bill once called me) and a card-carrying child hater, I find the lyrics to this song to be fascinating, as they voice the views of a child murderer in first person narrative. I love the morbid humor in the justification for the killings, "We're just keeping the population down". Brilliant. I also love the line, "Well, it's your own fault for reproducing". Yeah, that'll learn 'em! I was actually surprised that this song didn't stir up more controversy when it was released, but Morrissey was on the low ebb of popularity at that time, so it's understandable that it was overlooked. (I thought it was pretty sad that nobody cared. Poor Moz - he couldn't buy a controversy at this time.) However, musically and in its construction, the song bears close resemblance to Kill Uncle's dirge "Asian Rut" - and that's never a good thing. Also loses points for the line, "We knows when the school bus comes and goes". Come on, "we know" would still rhyme well enough! Altogether, this is a one of the weaker songs on Maladjusted. Such a pity...