Vie’s Verses – Working For A Living
I know this may be hard to believe, but writing for Hard Rock Hideout is not my primary job. I’m sure that if the site was making a fortune, Rob Rockitt, my esteemed editor, would pay me a mint to write more music reviews, interviews, podcasts, and implement a lot of other cool ideas for the site. Alas, that is not the case, and therefore I have a regular 9 to 5 job.
Unfortunately, said 9 to 5 job has been kicking me in the rectum lately with a plethora of work and an overload of extra hours. And since I am salaried, that means no extra money (I would love to know what politician came up with that idea). My 9 to 5 has been more 9 to 9 plus 2 either way. Basically, work has been hell and I am just doing my best to survive. With two huge program launches set to take place mid-December, the worst of it should be over in a few short weeks, but it until then, the nightmare continues.
Thankfully, instead of quitting or doing something equally foolish, I have turned to music to get me through this rough spot in life. As I often do when in times of sorrow or anger or despair, I look for the right music to help me with the mood. The proper songs can certainly help ease the pain of the day, both on the way to the office and the return home.
Most morning drives start with “Bitch” by Metallica. It serves a purpose in that a, my job is a bitch these days, and b, it is a hard rocker that pulses right through me when played at maximum volume. The ripping intro of pounding drums and shredding guitar set the mood and when the vocals kick in, I scream along at the top of my lungs.
“Bitch” is usually followed by Theory Of A Deadman’s “Hate My Life.” The verse about hating my job and boss are sung with particular emphasis. It’s another hard rocker that keeps the commute moving along and pushes the adrenaline through my system. Shinedown’s “Bully” usually follows, mostly for the line “It’s 8 AM, this hell I’m in.” And while “Bully” is more about surviving the school day, I’ve found ways to translate it to my current work situation. I feel like I’m being bullied by clients and bosses.
The ride home is usually filled with songs that manifest other people’s sorrow. These songs serve to remind me that no matter how bad it gets, there are others out there who are dealing with their own challenges. Foo Fighters tend to kick things off. I’ve been listening to “These Days” a lot. It’s a great song about pain and sorrow and unrequited love that takes me back to my teenage years. “Savior” by Rise Against comes next. This is a powerful punk song about relationships gone wrong. Rise Against is an outstanding band that I listen to in waves. They have gotten a lot of car play lately and singing along to “Savior” always seems to put a smile on my face.
The drive home medley seems to end with “Thrash Unreal” by Against Me! I’ve always thought that this song was perfect. The descriptions of middle aged agony and addiction are beautiful and the harmony throughout the song is exceptional. This is also a song that is sung along with so loud, my throat can be raw by the end of it, and most nights, it is. Feeling the torture of someone else trying to understand their place in the world really resonates with me, especially at times like this when I question what I do for a living and why I do it. “Thrash Unreal” helps me to remember clearly that there are others going through their share of pain and doubt as well.
What about you? Do you have particular songs that you blast in times of trouble or doubt? Does anyone know any songs that I should be checking out and adding to my morning or evening rotations? Drop a line in the comments and let us know!
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