This is an "angry at the 1%" song for the 2018 mid-term elections. I wrote the melody and lyric, in Sweden, over Dave Seabury's imported (from San Francisco) basic music tracks. Working with Emil Isaksson at his Studio Möllan in Malmö, I then proceeded to sing the lead vocal, tracked some additional acoustic guitar and then brought in Pelle Jernryd to do his slide guitar magic. Then Emil mixed it.
lyrics
I CAN’T PAY THE RENT
Words: Jon Strider
Music: Jon Strider/Dave Seabury
Shake down, hear the sound
As they take it all away
I know the trickle down
Got the urine drippin’ on my face
Some buy the pack of lies
But their cover’s runnin’ thin
If they think they gonna take us down
They better think again
Out in the country store
Where my hard earned money’s spent
How can I make it by
When I ain’t gotta goddamn cent
All hope runnin’ dry
I can’t even make a dent
When the landlord calls I’ll beg and ball ‘cause
I Can’t Pay The Rent
They think they can get away,
but they’re gonna burn on Judgement Day
They can trash the middle class,
but the tail don’t wag no dog
Every man without a home
Will pitch his angry tent
Don’t even try to bleed this stone ‘cause
I Can’t Pay The Rent
No!
Top dog’s gonna fall
‘cause he woke up all the sheep
We know what he’s up to now
And we ain’t goin’ back to sleep
I know the bottom line
And I know that the game is bent
It’s not like me to bend the rules
but I Can’t Pay The Rent
(Instrumental solo - Pelle Jernryd - electric slide guitar)
Wake up
Shake it down
Break up
Break it down
Wake up
Tear it down
The floor caved in
From the rich man’s sin
I Can’t Pay The Rent
They think they can get away,
but they’re gonna burn on Judgement Day
They can trash the middle class,
but the tail don’t wag no dog
Every man without a home
Will pitch his angry tent
Don’t even try to bleed this stone ‘cause
I Can’t Pay The Rent
I Can’t Pay The Rent
I Can’t Pay The Rent
I Can’t Pay The Rent
I Can't Pay The Rent
I Can't Pay The Rent
I Can't Pay The Rent
The floor caved in
From the rich man’s sin
I Can’t Pay The Rent
from BAR WARS,
released November 23, 2018
Words by JON STRIDER / Music by DAVE SEABURY & JON STRIDER
Produced & Arranged by JON STRIDER & DAVE SEABURY
Mixed by EMIL ISAKSSON, Associate Producer, at Studio Möllan, Sweden
Basic tracks recorded and performed by DAVE SEABURY
Vocals & later stage instrumental recording by EMIL ISAKSSON
Mastered by PAUL MAHERN at Mahern Audio, U.S.A.
MUSICIANS
DAVE SEABURY - bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin banjo, drums & drum programming
PELLE JERNRYD - electric slide guitar
JON STRIDER - lead & background vocals, acoustic guitar
Performing singer-songwriter, musician and record producer from California - 9 solo CD's on New Sky Records - Music style:
"Retro rocking' Country with a Blues&Rhythm twist" and "Rhythm n' Folk" - Career migration track: SF Bay Area to L.A., through Nashville & Austin to Sweden, (for19 years) and back......more
Nobody’s Peach, from Seattle, serve up nine gorgeous songs informed by bluegrass and Americana, gentle as a fall breeze. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 24, 2020
Former frontman of punk band Roidz has crafted a richly layered contemporary pop record exploring the world of lives lived on the fringe. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 7, 2023
Margo Price's latest album tackles loss, failure, and freedom over lush pop, psychedelic country, and rock arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 13, 2023
Melbourne duo The High Heaven offer an off-kilter take on country music, crafting songs that match the mood of a Sergio Leone film. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 29, 2020
Irresistible classic country music abounds on “Listening To The Music,” full of lap steel, walking bass, and heartwarming melodies. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 5, 2020