Pay Your Rates
The Fall · Other Songs - The Fall
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
If your rates too high
Write a snotty letter
If your rates too high
Put your life on this bit of paper
Advice on rates
Advice on rates
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
If your rates too high
Youd better sign this letter
If you don't pay your rates
Youre gonna end up here
Or end up on debtors retreat estate
Or debtors retreat escape
Debtors escape estate
Debtors escape
Debtors retreat escape
Debtors retreat estate
Neuroticred landscape
A socialist state invention
The old government bones working
[legendary chaos tape:
Lets hear it for the working class traitors
Hello warren mitchell]
Debtors escape estate
Debtors retreat estate
A no-motivation estate
Debtors escape estate
Pay the borough
Pay the borough
Pay your rates
Pay pretty sharp
Pay the borough
Pay the borough
Pay the borough
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
Pay your rates
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
If your rates too high
Write a snotty letter
If your rates too high
Put your life on this bit of paper
Advice on rates
Advice on rates
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
If your rates too high
Youd better sign this letter
If you don't pay your rates
Youre gonna end up here
Or end up on debtors retreat estate
Or debtors retreat escape
Debtors escape estate
Debtors escape
Debtors retreat escape
Debtors retreat estate
Neuroticred landscape
A socialist state invention
The old government bones working
[legendary chaos tape:
Lets hear it for the working class traitors
Hello warren mitchell]
Debtors escape estate
Debtors retreat estate
A no-motivation estate
Debtors escape estate
Pay the borough
Pay the borough
Pay your rates
Pay pretty sharp
Pay the borough
Pay the borough
Pay the borough
Pay your rates
Pay your water rates
Pay your rates
Pay your rates
Pay Your Rates
Released by The Fall in 1982, 'Pay Your Rates' stands as a defining track within the band's post-punk evolution. Marked by its distinctive, repetitive guitar riff and John Peel's iconic spoken-word introduction, the song exemplifies the group's signature blend of rhythmic intensity and absurdist lyricism. As a staple of their discography, it captures the era's raw energy while reinforcing The Fall's reputation for challenging conventional song structures. The recording remains a critical touchstone for fans of the genre, illustrating how the band transformed simple musical motifs into complex, thought-provoking statements that continue to resonate with listeners decades later.