Tough Times (Rough Mix) (Patreon)

Mikey and I recorded episode #2 of In The 'Verse today. We cleaned up a lot of the issues that we had with the first show with a little more preparation. Then we got to workin' on themes.

One of the big themes both Mikey and I got out of the episode was the idea of "reputation". Whedon refers to it a lot in the episode and repeats at various times through the series. ("The Message" comes to mind)

But the line that drew my most inspiration was from the end of the show.

Sheriff Bourne: You were truthful back in town. These are tough times. A man can get a job. He might not look too close at what that job is. But a man learns all the details of a situation like ours... well... then he has a choice.

Mal: I don't believe he does.

That's a beautiful scene where we get a better understanding that Malcolm Reynolds is a criminal with a conscience. He doesn't want to know the backstory of situation because he will care...

With that in mind, I decided to write about something that I care deeply about, the working class people who make up the bulk of our society.

I don't know why I find myself writing anti-corporation (like "Blue Sun") or Woody Guthrie-style labor protest songs (like "Monahan's Mudders' Milk"), but I'm drawn to those songs.

This one tells a story similar to the episode we reviewed "Train Job". It's about a guy who gets a job, doesn't look too close to what it is, only to learn he's cheating people. So he takes a stand for what he believes in.

I'm excited about the sound of the song. I feel like I did a good job with the melody. It's new and original for me. Though I think it might've been sparked by a song by Christy Moore called "Ordinary Man". If so, I  might have to change it up a bit.

Nevertheless, this is an early, first draft. I think it needs more. But we shall see. 

Let me know what you think.