[Verse 1] Back in nineteen forty-eight the markets spread so wide Companies competed hard with workers by their side But slowly through the decades something started changing here Fewer firms controlled it all, the picture became clear [Chorus] When the big fish eat the small ones, three things happen fast Wages fall and prices rise, prosperity won't last Market power, labor weakness, consumers pay the cost Concentration kills competition, shared prosperity gets lost [Verse 2] Airlines used to number many, now just four remain Telecoms merged together, higher bills became our pain Healthcare systems consolidated, choice began to fade Banking giants grew much larger, smaller ones got played [Chorus] When the big fish eat the small ones, three things happen fast Wages fall and prices rise, prosperity won't last Market power, labor weakness, consumers pay the cost Concentration kills competition, shared prosperity gets lost [Bridge] Three mechanisms tell the story, listen close and see Monopsony power holds down wages, workers can't break free Monopoly pricing hurts consumers, bills keep climbing high Political influence grows stronger, laws get passed on by [Verse 3] Tech platforms dominate our data, railroads own the tracks When industries concentrate power, the middle class gets sacked From broad prosperity we tumbled to inequality's reign Unless we break these giant chains, the few will hold the gain [Chorus] When the big fish eat the small ones, three things happen fast Wages fall and prices rise, prosperity won't last Market power, labor weakness, consumers pay the cost Concentration kills competition, shared prosperity gets lost [Outro] Antitrust can save the day, if we choose to fight Break up concentrated power, make the future bright
← Fewer Players in the Game | Follow the Money (The Feedback Loop) →