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The merch line at a Dessa show often contains people with lyrics tattooed on their forearms or ribs or shoulder blades. The strength and quotability of her lyricsfrom rap punchlines to elegantly tooled extended metaphorsis a hallmark of Dessas work. Camelot is one of the few explicitly political songs in her catalog. In 2 minutes and 53 seconds she sketches the contours of a troubling American zeitgeist, delivers a chorus thats both haunting and catchy, and comments on the tendency of consumer culture to breed apathy (Thats the thing about the lap of luxury the lap of luxury cant stand up). Camelot calls attention to the irreconcilability of two facets of the national self-concept: a) America is a miraculous shining city on a hill; and b) the neighbors are dangerous and crazy.The song doesnt scold or preach, which was important to Dessa who says, I hate being lectured. I assume most listeners do too. This song doesnt aim to teach anybody anythingI think most of us know better already. Its about trying to rally the nerve to act on our best impulses.