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Song of the Week: Work’n Man
Manage episode 477703938 series 3644554
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Work’n Man is my take on a Latin-inspired groove—where every chord seems to have that unmistakable rhythm. As Donovan told me, you don’t even need to play full chords; a flat pick alone can carry the feel.
The lyrics were inspired by an offhand comment I overheard in a used bookstore: “Someday I’ll just be another dead white guy.” That line stuck with me, eventually finding its way into the song.
I had planned to re-record the vocals at a higher pitch. In the recording studio, as the guitar player was getting ready to lay down his parts, the engineer played my home demo. He turned up the volume, looked at me, and said, “Leonard Cohen.” I didn’t realize at first—it was a compliment. That moment cemented the song’s vibe, and I kept the original vocal tone.
Hear the story, creative process, and of course, Work’n Man. Let me know what you think! SHOW NOTES Lyrics & Song Stories On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lyrics-Song-Stories-Daniel-Isle/dp/0979468566 Daniel Isle Sky Website: https://danielislesky.com/ Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1spNvhRAUaIrFsVfmA2Amk Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/daniel-isle-sky/ARJ2g3vVghrqtzm Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daniel-isle-sky/528753139 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK99j3abVB1UupLNOwajnow Work’n Man © 2015 by Daniel Isle Sky They build big houses Cost lots of money Like big cages They can never leave Work’n day and night Twenty-five paying it green What does it all mean Has anyone come clean He says someday he’ll just be Another dead white guy Paycheck says today he is A working man Driving new cars It’s the right thing to do Dreaming on fast wages Flying though the zoo Driving day and night Where does it get you Are you happy maybe Or barely making it through Around here If she asks What do you do Just be cool and hazy and not A working man T.V. the silver screen Takes you everywhere to What they want you to see Who they want you to be Harvard and scholars Framed papers on the wall Who’s the smarter A working man
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