Story Behind The Song

I was debating economics with a conservative friend who was making the argument that the rising tide raises all boats, etc. and floated the "trickle down" economic theory. I countered with the imagery of a desert that gets rain and can't absorb it, so the abundence seemingly washed away and evaporated.

Song Description

A response to the "Reagan-omic" style economics - the idea that the rising tide raises all boats. Sometimes it just swamps the dinghys. In this time of economic crisis, it's particularly hard to be patient when the rich seemingly get richer (Goldman Sachs) while the poor and middle class suffer and struggle.

Lyrics

Kept my nose to the grindstone, hands on the plow
Certain my bad luck would turn around somehow
Kept wishin' on fate to throw me a bone
And give me a chance to own my own home

But I'm still waitin' for the trickle down to trickle down my way
I'm still waiting for the trickle down to trickle down some day

Joe works 9 to 5 the hard way, all through the night
Saves what he can, but money's still tight
Plays the blue collar game, always does what he's told
But if he's the glue, why's the boss man get the gold

He's still waitin' for the trickle down to trickle down his way
He's still waitin' for the trickle down to trickle down someday

Sometimes storms in the desert flood the dry land
But the waters won't seep into rock hard sand

So no more waitin' for the trickle down to trickle down our way
No, no more lookin' for that sweet relief at the end of the day
I heard patience has its reward I hope its as good as it sounds
'Cuz we're not waitin' around, no no more waitin' around, come on
Waitin' for the trickle down