[Verse 1] Before you trust a single word you read Ask yourself what makes them tick Every source has got a need to feed That shapes the stories that they pick The headline screams but who's behind the scene What do they gain from what they say Map the money, map the dream Before you let them lead the way [Chorus] Follow the incentives, follow the flow Money talks and makes the story go Votes and clicks and power plays Shape the news in hidden ways Follow the incentives, read between Nothing's quite the way it seems Map the motives, find the truth That's the contrarian proof [Verse 2] Media lives on your attention span Engagement drives their bottom line Subscriptions keep the lights on, man Drama sells better than sunshine Access matters when they need the scoop Politicians hold the keys Stay in favor of the group Or lose your sources by degrees [Chorus] Follow the incentives, follow the flow Money talks and makes the story go Votes and clicks and power plays Shape the news in hidden ways Follow the incentives, read between Nothing's quite the way it seems Map the motives, find the truth That's the contrarian proof [Verse 3] Politicians need your vote to stay Fundraising drives their every move Coalition building day by day Legacy's what they need to prove Activists need funding for their cause Membership keeps them alive Policy change and cultural laws That's how movements learn to thrive [Bridge] A trader knows before they trust Map incentives, it's a must Every angle, every side Nothing left for them to hide Question everything you hear Make the hidden motives clear [Chorus] Follow the incentives, follow the flow Money talks and makes the story go Votes and clicks and power plays Shape the news in hidden ways Follow the incentives, read between Nothing's quite the way it seems Map the motives, find the truth That's the contrarian proof [Outro] Before you believe, before you buy Map incentives, question why Follow the money, follow the need That's how contrarians succeed
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