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Oct 10, 2016 By Christopher Roberts Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab for Cutie have shared a brand new song and video that is a clear statement against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. “Million Dollar Loan” is inspired Trump’s disputed claim that he started his business career with a small loan from his father of only one million dollars. The video was directed by Simian Design and features a Trump lookalike as a wall is built around him. The song is the first part of the “30 Days, 30 Songs” anti-Trump campaign put together by author/publisher Dave Eggers and Death Cab for Cutie manager Jordan Kurland. The project will feature one song a day until election day and will also feature new songs by Jim James, Thao Nguyen, Aimee Mann, and clipping., as well as a previously unreleased live R.E.M. song. Watch the video below, followed by the lyrics.

Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard had this to say about the song: “Lyrically, ‘Million Dollar Loan’ deals with a particularly tone deaf moment in Donald Trump’s ascent to the Republican nomination. While campaigning in New Hampshire last year, he attempted to cast himself as a self-made man by claiming he built his fortune with just a ‘small loan of a million dollars’ from his father. Not only has this statement been proven to be wildly untrue, he was so flippant about it. It truly disgusted me. Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he is unworthy of the honor and responsibility of being President of the United States of America, and in no way, shape or form represents what this country truly stands for. He is beneath us.”

The YouTube page for the video also describes the project as such: “30 Days, 30 Songs will feature one song per day from October 10 until Election Day. The artists are united in their desire to speak out against the ignorant, divisive, and hateful campaign of Donald Trump. Stay tuned over the coming days as the playlist unfolds, and don’t forget to go vote.”

Death Cab for Cutie’s latest album, Kintsugi, came out last year (via Atlantic). Also read our 2015 interview with Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard.

“Million Dollar Loan” Lyrics:

From a great height he’s looking down on his city at night
From gilded room of gold, marble and soft perfume
And he’s proud to say he built his fortune the old-fashioned way
Because to succeed there’s only one thing you really need

A million dollar loan
Nobody makes it on their own without
A million dollar loan
You’ll reap what you’ve sown from
A million dollar loan
Call your father on the phone and get that
Million dollar loan

His enemies can’t contain the flames of jealousy
With brutish charm the women flock to be on his arm
Because it’s a sign of weakness to apologize
And he counter sues from any corner he’s backed into

A million dollar loan
Nobody makes it on their own without
A million dollar loan
To cast the first stone you’ll need
A million dollar loan
Every ascension to a throne starts with
A million dollar loan

A million dollar loan
Nobody makes it on their own without
A million dollar loan
You’ll reap what you’ve sown from
A million dollar loan
Call your father on the phone and get that
Million dollar loan

A siren screams through the city as he falls asleep
The campaign begins again at the break of day

A million dollar loan
Nobody makes it on their own without
A million dollar loan
To cast the first stone you’ll need
A million dollar loan
Every ascension to a throne starts with
A million dollar loan

A million dollar loan
Nobody makes it on their own without
A million dollar loan
You’ll reap what you’ve sown from
A million dollar loan
Call your father on the phone and get that
Million dollar loan

www.30days30songs.com

(Via Stereogum)