“My Job” - a song about trade
We live in a world of transactions. Looking at interactions we have with each other, there is a constant underlying awareness of fair. What motivates us to do for others is constantly shifting and it’s an interesting thing to sit with your own motives and reflect on the “why”.
Backstory
I wanted to go back a few years and pull this song back into the mix, there may be some slight tweaks I will make, but I am going to add it back into my live show. It has held true on how I view the relationship between myself as a songwriter and how that shifts when I performing. I am lucky to surround myself with creatives and deep thinkers who challenge me and themselves constantly. A conversation topic that comes up often amongst musicians is the why. Why do we play here? Why do we write this? Why do we choose this over that? Why do we allow loss here and focus on gain here? It’s a string of questions I find myself constantly answering, and over the last few years, the answers haven’t changed. That to me is a sign that I have come to honor my truth in the matters, and it’s one I am constantly applying pressure to, to either find ways to improve or to hone what I believe.
This song put simply, is coming from a place of questioning why I do what I do and what I can trade it for. Over the years I have picked music over jobs, over relationships, over other opportunities, and those choices have produced some positive measures and some regret, but given them again I don’t think I would change it. I wouldn’t go back to an office job over writing songs and adding music to the world. I wouldn’t pick comfort and monetary wealth over a summer night harmonizing with friends. I wouldn’t pick settling down over traveling from city to city sharing stories and music. While all those things are beautiful and meaningful to some, they have never felt like the reason I am here. I hesitate to go down the path of “fate” or “life purpose”, but I know that every time I hold a guitar and sing a song that means something to me, I feel like Ben.
Life is ever changing, and perhaps one day I will find the healthy balance to bring other things into my day to day, but for now I write. For now I sing. For now I share and hopefully find words that others are looking for. It’s my job and one I am honored to hold.
Writing Process
I swear I didn’t realize I was using the same dumb progression as “Wagon Wheel” when I wrote this! That is one of the things I am going to tweak before I play it out, but this version, that’s the way it is.
I wanted to chorus to be punchy and the verses to ring out, so I switched between a sustained chord and a fingerpicking chunk.
I don’t think I will ever get tired of a C shape with an alternating bass. It’s so common in all the old tunes I learned fingerpicking from, and it holds a place in my heart that will forever belong to it. Trusty, and simple, it has a movement that seems honest and I love the way it feels (odd, but true).
I am particularly partial to the line “at least till I die”. I was looking for a way to say that there isn’t anything that would push my focus away from my “calling” and that fit the bill.
One thing I try to do is keep lyrics simple. One because I don’t know many big words, and the other is I don’t want to have a song get plugged up with a feeling of loft. I don’t mind using a lot of the same words in tunes, keeping my bank small and focused. This song uses simple language to leave space for interpretation while still being pretty blunt. I try and do that in everything I write, I never want a song to feel like an attempt to show off, and boy do I nail that haha.
Voice Memos
Notebook Page.
Aug. 2020
Lyrics
I promise to wander
I promise to roam
Bring you your dreams if you never leave home
Maybe the cold nights
Are cold just for me
I’m tired and I’m hungry and I’m too drunk to sleep
This is my job
At least till I die
Give you my stories
If you give me your time x2
Never let heartache
Hold you this tight
Cower and shiver at the first sign of fight
I’ll bear your burden
I’ll bear your shame
Can’t tell if your nightmares are mine or the same
This is my job
At least till I die
Give you my stories
If you give me your time x2
You make the money
I’ll make the words
Teach me the lessons and I’ll make sure they’re heard
You can forget me
You go to sleep
If you get lost, that’s where we will meet
This is my job
At least till I die
Give you my stories
If you give me your time x2