I was actually going to cheat this week when I saw the topic. I have a song I wrote 3 years ago that would fit this perfectly. I decided though,that I really need to write some new stuff as Its been rather dry lately in that area. I decided to post them both, a 2 for 1 so to speak!
First, the assignment, as yet unnamed:
Monday morning,
there's a
Five minute warning
So I
Burrow down further
‘neath the covers of my bed
But the
Radio keeps screamin'
So I
Can't keep dreamin'
It the start of a new week
Looming straight ahead.
Another faceless, insipid corporate clone,
I gird myself to do battle on the phone.
Rush Hour traffic
Appears like magic
The moment that I pull
The car from the garage
I pop in some Springsteen
Just to
Get my head clean
Psych myself up
To handle the barrage.
Another day , another week, another year,
A few more years, please god,And then I'm out of here.
It's a necessary evil
I've had too much upheaval
To walk away, to start over again.
So I slip into my corporate self
And put the daydreams on the shelf
One day at a time
I can make it until then
Another forty hours to go before I‘m free.
Another week until it's only you and me.
So here's the one I wrote a while back called "Working Man's Blues"
Alarm is ringing in the early morning
Bout an hour before the break of dawn
I take a half an hour to shave and shower
Then I go and put the coffee on
I smoke a cigarette and read the paper
Psych myself up for another day
Never thought I's make it to my pension
Never thought I'd live my life this way
I'm an old man, doing a young man's job
Strictly blue collar
I've always been a working slob
Just an old guy
Achin at the end of the day
Biding my time
Waiting for retirement day.
When you're 20 you cant see the future
All you think about is getting paid
You don't even think you'll live til 50
All you dream about is getting laid
So I'll never have the corner office
And I'll never wear the suit and tie
With my feet up, looking out the window
Looking down on all those working guys.
I'm an old man, playing a young man's game
Monday through Friday, everyday seems the same
Working weekends, I'm looking for the extra pay
Biding my time
Waiting for retirement day.
C'mon baby let's go out this weekend,
You can get all dressed up just for me
You can strap on those new high heeled shoes and
Show the world that you belong to me
In the evening when we lay together
In the darkness when the day is through
We can whisper all our dreams forever
How I'm gonna spend my time with you
(instrumental chorus)
If I ever make it to my pension
If I ever reach the turning point
I'm gonna spend my life a man of leisure
Gonna roll myself a big fat joint
Maybe I can finally get that Harley
There's still alot of world I'd like to see
If we hang on just a little longer
A few more years and we can both be free.
Not such an old man, I"m doing a young man's job
Strictly blue collar, I'm part of the laboring mob
I'm way too young, to be aching at the end of the day
Feel like an old man
Working my life away.
Kathy Reichert - 2003
Falling in love is like learning to play the guitar; first you learn to follow the rules, then you learn to play with your heart.
Funny you should mention Springsteen in the lyrics of the new song - I had a sort of fast Springsteen rhythm going in my head while I was reading "Working Man's Blues"!!! Did seem a little strange, though, reading a song from a man's perspective written by someone called Kathy...but the song definitely works, you could have read my mind.....
As for the new song (can't come up with a title for you, "Rush Hour"'s been done...so's Manic Monday)...I think you've managed to get across the panic inherent in all of us when that alarm clock goes...and the desperation at the thought of a dead end job stretching ahead to what seems like infinity...
So great take on the assignment...both songs fit, and I'm glad you managed to get TWO songs seen instead of one!
:D :D :D
Vic
"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)
Actually Vic, I wrote the Working Man's Blues" for my hubby, he's kind of been my muse the last few years! He works for the railroad here, and can retire at 60 with a full pension. 6 years to go! I on the other hand, will probably work til I'm 70, just to pay off the credit card bills. that's the price you pay for all that GAS. Thanks for the positive feedback.
Falling in love is like learning to play the guitar; first you learn to follow the rules, then you learn to play with your heart.
Hi kat
Both songs good but the first captures the assignment for me. It conveys futility, frustration, dissatisfaction and exasperation.
Good stuff
bob :wink:
You are what you eat, eat well
Even though I've already heard Working Man's Blues (even had the opportunity to play along as backup in front an audience), I still think it's terrific. Good to see you put it up here.
The first song is very catchy in its hurriedness. Especially like the first verse and the hiding under the covers. Nitpicky question though - don't most snooze alarms go for nine minutes instead of five? :wink:
Peace
you're right that is a nitpicky question!
Falling in love is like learning to play the guitar; first you learn to follow the rules, then you learn to play with your heart.
Kathy,
Two good efforts
For the new song I might suggest "Monday Morning" as a
title as Vic said Manic Monday and Rush Hour have already
been done.
Also as Vic said How did you read my mind on
Working Man Blues?
You really nailed the male way of thinking. Of course
we're easy it's the Females who are complicated.
John
Hi katreich
Good take on the assignment. If your looking for title, I feel “Incorporated†or “Me Incorporated†or “Incorporated Me†or “Incorporated Day†captures the theme of this song, Anyway good song well done.
Cheers
Pbee
oh wow man this like my life man
i dig the working slob . real kool man
Yeah Baby Yeah
