Verse 1
Rent up again, same old excuse,
REA smiles while they tighten the noose,
Weekly pay gone by Tuesday night,
Tell me how the hell that math’s “alright”?
Fuel hit two bucks, bread nearly five,
Working full-time just to barely survive,
They say “fair go,” but it’s feeling dead,
When a share house costs what a mortgage did.
Hook
This Australia ain’t the one we knew,
Cost of living killing me and you,
Working ourselves into early graves,
While pollies argue and banks get paid.
They say “be patient,” say “ride it out,”
Hard to stay calm when you’re priced out,
If this is thriving, then tell me why
The lucky country’s just getting by.
Verse 2
Degrees don’t mean much anymore,
HECS debts still chained to the floor,
You study, you grind, you play it straight,
Still can’t crack the housing gate.
Groceries feel like a luxury trip,
Scan the card, hope it doesn’t dip,
Mental health stretched thin as thread,
But therapy costs half your rent instead.
Hook
This Australia ain’t the one we knew,
Cost of living killing me and you,
Working ourselves into early graves,
While pollies argue and banks get paid.
They say “be patient,” say “ride it out,”
Hard to stay calm when you’re priced out,
If this is thriving, then tell me why
The lucky country’s just getting by.
Bridge
How we rich in coal, gas, and land,
But can’t afford to live where we stand?
How the suits safe in Canberra seats,
While families choose rent or eat?
Verse 3
Side hustles after overtime,
Still falling further behind the line,
Landlords cashing that passive cheque,
While tenants live with constant stress.
They blame inflation, blame the war,
But it’s been broken long before,
A system built for a chosen few,
And everyone else just pushing through.
Final Hook
This economy’s cooked, let’s call it straight,
No fairy tale at the end of the gate,
We don’t want mansions, yachts, or fame,
Just a fair go in a rigged-up game.
You can tax our fuel, rent, and food,
Raise the bills, then shift the mood,
But don’t act shocked when the people say
This country’s slipping further away.
Outro
Yeah…
Still proud of where I’m from.
Just tired of watching Australia forget its own.