One of my kids works for an office defending poor people accused of crimes. We had a discussion a couple weeks ago, prompted by the news that a nominee to be a judge in the NY federal court was under attack by the usual suspects in the US Senate for having been a public defender and working for the Innocence Project, which works to release prisoners who have been wrongly jailed (see the book and film "Just Mercy"). The honourable Senators thought she (the nominee) was a little too soft on crime. When you're poor, you're guilty until proved innocent, it seems. Among other insights, my offspring said that people in America generally see poverty as a moral failing. This song came from that. The phrase "a fear of too much justice" comes from former US Supreme Court Justice William Brennan (as quoted by my kid).
I like the verses a lot. Am unconvinced that the chorus is effective in pulling everything together. Will probably change the music completely if this ever goes on an album — a big IF, since I’ve never made an album! It was a quick 28th of Feb. write.
PS It's SATIRE. I point that out because a lot of people say satire is dead. I'm sure you know better.
The Innocence Project is guilty
of coddling the poor and distressed
Of making the mob with no money
believe they’re as good as the rest.
How dare they have doctors and lawyers
when they can’t even get out of their beds?
If the thoughtless should ever start thinking
It’s all just gonna go to their heads.
(Chorus)
But I…
reach for more not less
Pride…
goes before success
And I…
have got lift not drag
I fly high
like a Patriot flag.
The Innocence Project is guilty
of spreading too much justice around
If the shiftless should ever start shifting
They’ll soon be moving into your town.
Sure, there’s the occasional error
A couple extra eggs get cracked
But most of ‘em deserve to be in there
If you let ‘em out, they’ll just go back.
(Chorus)
But I…
I know you’re a bleeding heart liberal
So let me explain how this works
Money is the emblem of virtue
And poverty’s the fortune of jerks.
This city wasn’t built by the homeless
Up to no good and down on their luck
It was built by the captains of capital
Who know the awesome power of a buck.
(Chorus)
And I…
@berni1954 Mar 2022
Fine piece of satire. It is definitely not dead, but it's getting harder to create absurdist satire when reality throws us up Trump, Boris & Bolsanero.
As with much satire the villains in this piece would probably think you were just expressing what they thought and patting you on the back for it.
@wobbiewobbit Mar 2022
If the thoughtless should ever start thinking
It’s all just gonna go to their heads. is brilliant!. love the catchy rhythm of "I fly high...." great lyrics throughout - so many rich and loaded lines. your satirical stance is perfectly pitched! great catchy chorus, simple and effective production that serves the song so well, doesn't upstage the excellent lyrics and point. fantastic delivery too. nicely done indeed!
@metalfoot Mar 2022
You've nailed it I think. This is well-done satire. The music is pleasantly catchy, making the pill easier to swallow as it cuts all the way down.
"Money is the emblem of virtue" indeed.
@beyondthelimes Mar 2022
Just as others have pointed out -- satire has been lost for too long. Really enjoyed this. And really, it's only a little satirical; I know I've heard a drunk uncle or two saying things similar to what you've written! And "Money is the emblem of virtue. And poverty’s the fortune of jerks." is the most poetic summation of the Protestant Work Ethic I've ever heard. Great job!
@hbusse Mar 2022
An insightful and cutting work of satire; very effective to write it from this character’s perspective. Shows how upside down and how far from true justice and righteousness our society is.
@kadmad202 Feb 2022
Nicely done, Jon! You've just about called out everything many conservatives take issue with, and shown why most bleeding heart liberals are appalled at said conservatives. Satire at its finest!
@mikeb Feb 2022
Who says satire is dead? It's alive and well and living in this song!
Well-written lyric that highlites, in it's satirical way, so much of what is wrong with the justice system,.