Story Behind The Song

A friend of mine and I used to tell each other to "work harder" as a reflection of a management philosophy of our employer. It became a catchphrase with us, so I wrote this song partly in his honor when we both finally escaped from our jobs.

Song Description

A song about being stuck in one of those middle-management jobs where you have to pretend you know everything, but you actually know nothing. You plan your escape, but who knows if you'll ever make it out of captivity?

Lyrics

I can't sleep, I can't eat
I can't stand on my own two feet
When the sun fades away
I still pace in my walled off cage

I'm worn out, I feel dead
Staple projects to my head
Steal a pen, write a friend
This is the end

Started out, it was fun
Feels alive to be under the gun
All the time, it gets old
There's the phone, it's my life on hold

Every day, more to do
Finish one job and there's two
Feel my life slip away,
More every day

Should I take a small vacation?
Just so I don't lose my mind?
Would it make for more frustration,
Falling behind?

Total this, count the cost
Everyone thinks that I'm the boss
But I'm not, what a shock
I may smile, but I don't know squat

Start to shake, coffee break
When my eyeballs start to ache
I would walk out the door,
But who'd mind the store?

Should I make life less demanding?
Look for some way to break free?
Work for someone understanding?
Someone like me?