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Description:
The idea for this came about after listening to a number of people talk about their job situations, including a husband and wife who work at the same industry, but are almost always on different shifts. They usually only see each other in passing. Another was a single mother who was almost always stuck on second or third shift and almost never gets to spend time with her kids.
This country was built on the backs of the men and women who worked hard and expected to be treated fairly, paid fairly for the work they did. They didn't expect to be treated as if the rest of their lives, other than the 40 hours a week they worked, didn't matter. They didn't expect to be handed the pink slip just to make the rich richer.
This is a lament about the situation we find ourselves in today. It wasn't supposed to be this way.
Though this is a recent song, it marks the debut of one of several tunes done with the aid of fellow MacJammer RTCooper. Coop took this one and worked his magic on it, cleaning up the mix tremendously. So I send out a big thanks to him for his help. And we have several actual collabs in the pipe, so keep an eye out.
Lyrics:
Midnight comes and you punch the clock
work all night, through the dawn
9 a.m. and you’re headed home
kids at school, wife is gone
you sit alone as the sun streams in
wondering where it all went wrong
as a young man full of dreams
now you’re a stranger in your home
You never thought it could be this way
Dreams were born, now they’re gone
Another working class day is done
you see your life marching on
Photo families smile at you
like distant dreams you have known
days go by without end
you’ve never been so alone
TV preachers and talking heads
tell you all you want to hear
a promise made has been cast aside
by those who profit from your fear
You never thought it could be this way
Dreams were born, now they’re gone
Another working class day is done
you see your life marching on
You never thought it could be this way
Dreams were born, now they’re gone
Another working class day is done
you see your life marching on
You never thought it could be this way
It's not supposed to be this way
And it wasn’t supposed to be this way
it's not s'posed to be this way
You never thought it could be this way
You never thought it could be this way
Hardware:
iBook, Epiphone electric guitar, Carlo Robelli accoustic, Peavey Foundation bass, Eurorack pre-amp, MXL 990 mic.
Software:
Me - GB
Coop - Bias PEAK LE
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way impressive &mdash 02/05/06 - 11:40:38 PM
Dude. Vital theme. Good mix. Love the guitar seperation. Vocal good
overall, but like my own, strained in places. Still, your vocal persuades.
Just a hint of Neil Young here. The chorus is very worthy both musically
and thematically. I really like this. [ Reply to This ]
way impressive &mdash 02/06/06 - 10:06:19 AM
Thanks for the comments. This one started with the chorus, and the rest got filled in, including one verse that was pretty much made up while I was singing. I'm more pleased with the mix on this tune than any other tune I've done so far. A lot of credit for that goes to Coop for his advice and his tweeks of the final mix.
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
way impressive &mdash 02/06/06 - 10:19:43 AM
PS---I agree with the TV preachers remark. Can't stand a single one of them.
There a disgrace to Christianity. [ Reply to This ]
Down To It &mdash 02/06/06 - 12:22:55 AM
A fine and imploring lament. While it fills the headlines everyday now, it
seems, your telling of it is something else, entirely. Empathy, So well
told.
Of course, I'm familiar with the Lyric and Music from the small amount of
Post that I did, but it is something else here on the MJ Stage.
Woody Guthrie, a la 2006.
rtc [ Reply to This ]
Down To It &mdash 02/06/06 - 10:09:10 AM
Just let me tell you again, you have a fine ear for detail, my friend. Once again, I appreciate your help with the song and your support.
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
Almost Inevitable &mdash 02/06/06 - 04:01:54 AM
But painful and disorienting, even if the situation is predictable.
Good song, singing and playing. [ Reply to This ]
Almost Inevitable &mdash 02/06/06 - 04:06:35 AM
Kids should be taught that most politicians say whatever you want to hear to get
elected, spend much money on stuff that has few long term benefits for most
constituents.
I could go on and on.
I don't even start me on TV preachers ...
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Ars longa, vita brevis. [ Reply to This ]
Almost Inevitable &mdash 02/06/06 - 10:15:49 AM
What people fail to realize, or choose to ignore, is the TV preachers, the politicians and the captains of industry all prey on the same people - those who can least afford it and who have the most trouble fighting back. It's a frustrating situation. And yet another situation where I have to work hard to avoid going off on a long-winded, rambling rant.
Thanks for taking a listen and for your comment, Mungo. They are very much appreciated.
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
Almost Inevitable &mdash 02/06/06 - 10:16:59 AM
I'm Right With You, Brother.
Dylan once said, "Twenty years of Schoolin' and They put you on the Day-
Shift." Now, it's more like, $50.0K of Graduate School, and you make the
day-shift. AND don't expect us to Keep any Promises on your payouts due
later. Fine Mess. So Honorable. So worthy of our Respect.
However, This is a Fine Song by someone reflecting on the Shame and the
Hurt of it All - Artist At Work, - Stand Back. [My Mentor in art school told me
the most important thing I'd ever heard - "Art is not Pretty, it is Beauty found
the Hard Way." Blew me Away.]
rtc [ Reply to This ]
Man... &mdash 02/06/06 - 11:19:33 AM
Jg, your tunes always grounds my mis and makes things real and
certainly, more earthly... My ipod has been trying to float away with the
EE's, Mungos and PVs at the wheel... - This is very real and it is a
needed tone of reflection...
As it happens to be, I don't read the newwpapper and I don't ever
watch the news - It never seems to be designed to make one feel good.
How it is that you could be the shepard of such a harsh reallity and
then make me feel good, but it is w/ the pure expressions of empathy
for a fellow man that your words and tones carry. Pure emotion emotes
and I have been emoted...
Wouldn't that be cool; - a new channel that brings the news to you
musically...
Thanks for bringing the news to me in this way - I needed to hear it...
A very nice production, Jg - What I would give to be able to play one
instrument the way you seem to gracefully take on many... As always,
I'm impressed...
Cyd [ Reply to This ]
Man... &mdash 02/06/06 - 01:52:36 PM
Thanks a bunch for your comment, Dion. They are very kind and much appreciated.
After spending 16 years in the news business, I sometimes make myself go for long periods of time without reading the news or obsessivly watching CNN. It just gets to be too much. So I can completely understand why you would stay away from it.
But I think you;ve stumbled on to a great idea - a daily musical news cast. And there are enough journalists and former journalists here at MJ to do it right. I mean, after all, if there's a website with pretty young ladies taking off their clothes while reading the news, there should be one where people sing the news. Ya think?
Thanks again for taking a listen, and, as always, I appreciate your support.
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
Timely topic &mdash 02/06/06 - 09:11:03 PM
and something that needs to be covered. I liked the contrast between the
tension of the lyrics with the nice smooth melodic line.
I did third shift for three years in college. It was enough to make me
decide I didn't want to do that again.
Now, where's a song about how everyone tells your 'hero' that he's just
lucky to have a job, and to stop complaining? [ Reply to This ]
Timely topic &mdash 02/07/06 - 09:22:39 AM
Thanks for listening and your comments, Kristine. I think we all had those job trying to get through college. Mine, for a while, was digging graves.
There are so many problems with out economic and employment system today, it's unbelieveable. I had a boss a few years ago who came in to give us a "pep talk" at the newspaper where I used to work. We had recently won several big state awards for our work. He basically came in and said "Congratulations and, by the way, every single one of you can be easily replaced." Some appreciation.
Appreciate you stopping in.
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
sing it brother j &mdash 02/07/06 - 05:35:20 AM
welcome to the new soviet union. following the state of the union
address this is timely counterpoint. not that most of us aren't already
living it.
great production, wow! [ Reply to This ]
sing it brother j &mdash 02/07/06 - 09:58:09 AM
We're back in the USSA. Keep the proletariat just poor enough to get by and keep them entertained and uninformed. It's either 1984 or "They Live," which in my opinion was a much better movie. Any way, does anyone know all the words to The Internationale, maybe the Billy Bragg version?
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
: ) &mdash 02/09/06 - 06:12:47 AM
i'm with you, brother. I totally appreciate the sentiment of this song.
Hard subject---keep plucking away! [ Reply to This ]
: ) &mdash 02/09/06 - 12:43:17 PM
Thanks man. Much appreciated!
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
Respect. &mdash 02/09/06 - 08:49:26 AM
This was a tremendous socially conscious track. Coming from a working class family, I definitely can see where this tune comes from, and it's necessary, now more than ever, with this pack of thieves in the white house and congress, to speak up for the voiceless, and you definitely did it here!
[ Reply to This ]
Respect. &mdash 02/09/06 - 12:47:45 PM
In the last 15 years or so, I have watch as industry after industry has closed their doors moving to Mexico or overseas, leaving people who were making good livings scrambling to support themselves on McWalmart jobs. Now, the industries that are left basically believe they can treat peop[le like dirt because they are so needed. It's a shame.
Thanks for listening and thanks for the comments.
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
Epiphone! &mdash 02/10/06 - 01:50:23 PM
I have an Epiphone as well :). This is a great song! Quite Rock, but still its a bit soothing. I guess i could see this as an acoustic as well... That said, i like it as it is now, so dont change it. I like your voice, its very tender and honest! reminds me of someone..... |
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Epiphone! &mdash 02/10/06 - 01:53:09 PM
sorry about all the bogus letters!! I spilled a pint of beer onto my keyboard. And all the strange letters in your comment is a result of me trying to clean the keyboard.......................... I guess i have learned that drinking alone on a friday evening is not a good idea :D
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Check out my latest song: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16895">Killing for Milk and for Honey</a>
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Epiphone! &mdash 02/11/06 - 11:05:05 AM
Oh, man. Spilling your beer on your keyboard can be a very bad experience. What if it's your last beer!? What will you do then?
Thanks for the comments. I appreciate you listening.
I've had the Epiphone about 10 years now. It was a birthday present from my wife. A good guitar, and more than adequate for someone like me who really can't play that well. (Power chords rule!)
Thanks again for stopping by.
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Some people are like big children, harming others without even seeing it. Staying angry with these fools is like being mad at fire because it burns. [ Reply to This ]
vox & cymbals &mdash 02/18/06 - 07:10:57 PM
the vocals on this particular piece sound strained and the cymbals are
a tad bombastic. this aside it reminds me of a song that Boston forgot
to write. [ Reply to This ]
Inspiration &mdash 03/02/06 - 07:14:22 PM
Joseph, my humble apologies for missing this - I had a bit of a sabatical for a while there. Great lyrics and nice production - very Buffalo Springfield sort of sound with the fuzz guitar. Vox suits really well - RT's production also gets a guernsey. Inspiration for another protest song!
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Populism Needs A Champ &mdash 03/06/06 - 10:16:29 PM
I tell you Joseph, for all of my years I have waited for someone to rise
up, tell the truth about our economic system and be understood and
believed by the very people who are taken advantage of. Still waiting! I
think this country will never recover from the massive use of violence
and force in the sixties. I know all of those bullets flying and bodies
falling had a strong impact on me. Your production here is very nice. I
love the anthemic sound of the melody and the guitar playing is
especially effective in this mode! All an artist can do is observe and
write and wait! [ Reply to This ]
Great Song &mdash 03/27/06 - 09:04:42 AM
I'm liking this. Particularly strong chorus and perfect sentiment.
I'd possibly think about allocating individual drums their own tracks in
order to bring them forward in the mix using compression and eq.
Good work.
I love your voice.
N.B - As I write this I'm preparing for a day of strike action tomorrow to
protect our union pension rights.
Power To The People! [ Reply to This ]
Strong! &mdash 03/27/06 - 09:04:50 PM
A great song! The music and production sound excellent! I love the lyrics. You hit it right on the head. I love the melody and the backing harmonies. I can definitely hear a bit of Neil Young in your voice and the style of this song. Excellent!
SM [ Reply to This ]
Strong! &mdash 03/27/06 - 09:06:31 PM
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overall, but like my own, strained in places. Still, your vocal persuades.
Just a hint of Neil Young here. The chorus is very worthy both musically
and thematically. I really like this.
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