I wrote this in 2009 after talking to a former Delphi (GM) employee working at a Jiffy Lube. During our 20 minute talk he kept saying "A few years ago I was doing fine, now I'm just doing time....(or words close to that). The Iraq line is neat (my son just got back and I wrote that a year before he left). If I ever see that guy again, I'll give him a copy of the song...it's his story...
I have done 2 or three versions of this with the same chords but changing melody. Also Brian hated my old bridge so maybe this one is better...This chorus is the melody idea (the high part) Brian White shared with me at a writers seminar. I couldn't sing it so I had Jay Speight sing it.
WHO’S GONNA PULL? I WORK DOWN AT THE GAS AND GO SCHOOL ON WEEKENDS A SECOND JOB ONCE I—WAS DOING FINE A FEW YEARS AGO AT THE FACTORY REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE ONCE I—WAS DOING FINE
© 2009 JON HANSON, Lyric & Melody, Vocal Jay Speight.
‘CUZ MY “GOOD JOB” WENT AWAY
STILL PAYING FOR A HOUSE I CALL MINE
RETIREMENT WILL HAVE TO WAIT
MY FINANCES ARE A WRECK
WHILE CONGRESS BORROWS A TRILLION
TO SEND ME THIS TINY CHECK !
NOW IT FEELS LIKE I’M—DOING TIME
WITH ALL THESE HANDOUTS THERE’S ONE THING I WANNA KNOW
WHEN WE’RE ALL IN THE WAGON WHO’S GONNA PULL?
I PAY ALL KINDS OF TAXES
BUT WHAT AM I GETTING BACK?
I GOTTA PAY MY NEIGHBORS MORTGAGE
AND HELP OUR BOYS IN IRAQ
I HAD A FAT 4-0-1 K
I THOUGHT SOMEDAY I’D RETIRE
UNTIL I LEARNED ABOUT FANNIE MAE!
GOVERNMENT IS KILLING, THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGG
SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE TAKING, EVERYTHING WE MAKE
NOW IT FEELS LIKE I’M—DOING TIME
WITH ALL THESE HANDOUTS THERE’S ONE THING I WANNA KNOW
WHEN WE’RE ALL IN THE WAGON WHO’S GONNA PULL?
TELL ME—WHO’S GONNA PULL