Here’s one of my favorites from “Slow Nights. Fast Food.”
I continue to chase my dream regardless of how many people tell me to wake up. None of my albums would be complete without one of these tracks dedicated to the chase. One thing I was hesitant about with this one was using the term “dirt” in a rap song. As you all know that word is typically associated with criminal activity, which is nothing I partake in. But I figured it’d be pretty obvious by my content that I’m referring to working and being in the reality of the working world when I say I’ve got “my hands in the dirt.” Even though my job involves a computer, but “got my hands on a mouse” doesn’t sound as cool.
I’m especially proud of the instrumental. I feel like it has a lot more going on and more parts to it than most of my songs so it was a big accomplishment knowing that I made it from scratch. I’m no producer. I make beats because I can’t afford to pay others to do it for me, so when I put one like this together I’m a very happy man.
I wish, dream, hope, and scheme every day about being something much bigger than I am. I never seem to come up with the right method for making that a reality, but it doesn’t stop me from going right back to the daydreaming board. I’ve worked so hard for so long on this music that I just want to see it reach the next level. I want to validate why I’ve dedicated so much to it and given up so much for it. It might take me a lifetime, or it might happen a week from now, I have no idea. The anticipation of that moment is what keeps lighting a fire underneath me and inspires me to write the next song for the next album. Every time I put out a new album, think that it’ll be the one to put me on the map, then watch as no one notices it, I lose my drive temporarily. I second guess everything I’ve done and wonder if I should hang up my microphone for good. Then when I least expect it I get an idea for a verse, or a hook, or a beat, and before I know it I’m in headphones working hard on a new track. I start telling myself “THIS is going to be the one.” and forget that I ever thought that about any song before it.
At the end of the day I love making music. So even if the payout isn’t what I hoped for, I still enjoy creating this stuff. I know there is a fanbase out there for me and though the haters bug me, they’ll never prevent me from doing what I love and eventually reaching all of my fans. Here’s to all the dreamers out there chasing one down.
(Verse 1)
I’m down here in the trenches while my dreams are in the sky
And the real world’s laughin’ at me askin’ why I try
Sayin’ “Get used to this office and enjoy the 9 to 5
You’ll be workin’ for ‘The Man’ til the day that you retire
You don’t have the talent needed to compete with all these rappers
Even if you did, your image isn’t what they’re after
And as far as being famous, you are never gonna matter
So either get to jumpin’ or just come back down the ladder”
I refuse to listen to it. Never did and never have.
Hope these haters keep receipts cuz they’ll be takin’ words back
I’ll just stay on my track while I stay on my tracks
Only way to keep it tight is never cut ’em any slack
But confidence is somethin’ kinda hard to maintain
So when it’s elevated I do everything to sustain
I’m in a game and I need the crowd chantin’ my name
So I can validate the blood, sweat, and tears in this thing…
(Chorus)
I’ve got my head in the clouds and my hands in the dirt
They said to throw the dream out but I said it’ll work
When they’re bringin’ me down I’ll admit that it hurts
They said I’m not much now but they’ll be eatin’ their words
I’ve got my head in the clouds and my hands in the dirt
They said to throw the dream out but I said it’ll work
When they’re bringin’ me down I’ll admit that it hurts
They said I’m not much now but they’ll be eatin’ their words
(Verse 2)
Every time I think I’ve got it and about to leave a mark
I just end up gettin’ hurt and ad another to my scars
Like an alcoholic I’ve already seen so many bars
Makin’ music on the daily and it saves me from the dark
As long as I remember I’ve been chasin’ one goal
That’s a big fat diamond after all this crushin’ coal
That’s a big hit record goin’ platinum when it’s sold
After takin’ all the heat from people bein’ so cold
(Chorus)
(Verse 3)
The casualties in battlin’ for bein’ somethin’ more
Really rattle me, cuz that’ll be the bodies on the floor
When I’m walkin’ nightmares tryin’ to find the back door
Seein’ people that I love who let it go and took the norm
Shocked when I tell ’em that I’m still on this kick
Lookin’ rocked when I quell ’em with the sound they dismissed
I done stopped all the sellin’. Do or don’t get this
There’s a lot more developed from that listlessness
That I used to bring, that’s the thing, come a long way
What you’re lookin’ at ain’t what you knew back in the day
So if you don’t like what you heard I bet you got a bit to say
But I hope you know your comments rarely get inside and never stay
Pay me for my workin’ so I have some dream-dough
To my hobby that’s a passion, only place it’s goin’ to go
Jumpin’ on these local stages but one day I’m gonna blow
I bet that’d be the ticket that’d get ’em to a show
(Chorus)