Original Work-Life Songs for Every Mood –
From Burnout to Barking Dogs

Through a digital window
Into your private space,
I see vintage movie posters
An IKEA bookcase.
The books behind your shoulder
Tell me more than words,
Each item is a snapshot
Of your world observed...
I should be focused on the spreadsheets
But I'm studying your room.
Wondering about the stories
Behind your curated Zoom.
Behind the screen
I see more than you mean.
Your life in rectangles -
Your world in between.
Those personal touches
Say more than you know.
Behind the screen -
Your true colors show.
Guitar in the corner...
(Do you ever play?)
Degree from Harvard hanging
Slightly in decay.
Your taste is so curated
(Unlike my boring place).
Each call reveals the secrets
Of your chosen work space!
I should be focused on the spreadsheets

But I'm studying your room.
Wondering about the stories
Behind your curated Zoom.
Behind the screen
I see more than you mean.
Your life in rectangles -
Your world in between.
Those personal touches
Say more than you know.
Behind the screen -
Your true colors show!
[Music]
We used to share an office
Before dreaded COVID hit.
Now we share our lives
The work-at-home bug bit.
Behind the screen
I see more than you mean.
Your life in rectangles -
Your world in between.
Those personal touches
Say more than you know...
Behind the screen
Your true colors show!
Behind your screen
I see everything...
More than just colleagues
Oh, if those walls could sing!

Content! Content! they all shout...
What the hell's the fuss about?
Tired of writing words that suck,
Thing is, I don't give a
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Keywords here and keywords there,
You've got to make 'em fit.
I really really do not care
I just don't give a BEEP!
Cynical as hell I know,
It gets you in the end.
Running on the treadmill,
It drives you round the bend.
The page is done, but wait...
There's more!
Got to do the Pins galore...
Facebook too, can't leave 'em out.
Now's the time to shout, shout, shout!
We're hamsters on the wheel,
Trying to make it work.
Hamsters on the wheel,
Nope, I'm just a jerk!
Make a video, they say...
Draw readers in.
Now, AI's the way -
You know - it's the perfect sin!
Cynical as hell I know,
It gets you in the end.

Running on the treadmill,
It drives you round the bend.
The page is done, the song is over.
And I've nothing more to say!
Cynical as hell I know,
It gets you in the end.
Running on the treadmill,
It drives you round the bend.
The page is done, the song is over!
[Music]
We're hamsters on the wheel...
Trying to make it work...
Hamsters on the wheel, nope, I'm just a jerk!
Cynical as hell I know, it gets you in the end.
Running on the treadmill,
It drives you around the bend.
The page is done, but wait, there's more...
Content! Content! they all shout...
What the hell's the fuss about?
Tired of writing words that suck,
Thing is, I don't give a
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Keywords here and keywords there,
You've got to make 'em fit.
I really, really do not care -
I just don't give a BEEP!
Cynical as hell I know, it gets you in the end...
Running on the treadmill...

"What day is it?" I ask my spouse,
Not meaning to sound like I grouse!
Every day is Monday
When working for yourself,
Every day is Monday
Need a side-kick elf...
My work week is all seven days...
Need to give myself a raise!
Projects here, and projects there, try and keep on track.
Trouble is I don't really care, I'm getting out of whack.
Every day is Monday, when working for yourself.
Every day is Monday, need a side-kick, elf...
My brain's on overload again, can't remember how to stand.
Every day is Monday, when working for yourself,
Every day is Monday, need a side-kick elf...
Got deadlines chasing my every move!
[Music]
When you call and call, and endless lists, got to remember to persist.
Every day is Monday, a puzzle I'm trying to solve.
Every day is Monday, spinning and evolving...

But in this chaos, I find sunlight!
I'm searching for courage to ignite!
Every day is Monday, but I won't lose my way.
I'll fight through this my friend, and find my bright new day.
With a leap of faith, I'll rise above...
Turning stress into our melody of love.
Every day is Monday, but I'm learning to sway.
I'll chase my dreams through each new map.
With every step, I'll take my stand.
Every day is Monday, every day is Monday.
Yeah, I'll carve my own path...
Every day is Monday, but I'll find my way to laugh!
Through the hustle and grind I'll soar,
Unraveling the knots from my core.
"What day is it?" I ask my spouse,
Not meaning to sound like I grouse!
Every day is Monday...
When working for yourself,
Every day is Monday...
Need a side-kick elf!

Young girl left the fog, London town to palm trees,
Unfamiliar vibes, chasing brand new dreams.
Drawing lines on the canvas, colors in the breeze,
From the pencil to the pixels, future in degrees...
Spinning vectors on the screen, blockchain in her veins;
Code and cables fixed, no room left for the mundane.
Ten toes down in two fields, mind full of planes...
Engineering the world, no need for mundane!
Sunny shores to digital dreams, vision so profound,
Building sites and singing tunes, never backing down.
Florida rays in her eyes, success all around,
From graphics to algorithms, her empire renowned.

Keys clattering, beats in the background,
Crafting empires, boundless and unbound.
Lines of code she rhymes right now,
Constructing futures, all they do is wow!
No more foggy days, just endless maze of screens...
Art to engineering, bridging those extremes.
Words flow like water, coding in her genes,
Innovator, creator, real-life dream machine!
Sunny shores to digital dreams, vision so profound,
Building sites and singing tunes, never backing down.
Florida rays in her eyes, success all around,
From graphics to algorithms, her empire renowned.
Sunny shores to digital dreams, vision so profound,
Building sites and singing tunes, never backing down.
Florida rays in her eyes, success all around,
From graphics to algorithms, her empire renowned!

Making videos en masse,
Wondering if they'll ever pass
The viral threshold they sure need...
If you wanna make money - to succeed.
Buying courses from gurus sublime,
hoping they'll work out this time.
I try everything! Why? I need to make money.
Sick of seeing women's cleavage, have they nothing more?
But those are the viral vids we see.
Yeah, that is for sure.
Making videos en masse,
Wondering if they'll ever pass
The viral threshold they sure need...
If you wanna make money - to succeed.
Caught up in the algorithms, flailing up and down,  

Must not let it set my mood!
I need money for my food.
Videos uploaded, now I sit and wait
For thousands of impressions, yeah, right out the gate.
Just who am I kidding?
That's not how it works...
You gotta work really hard to get all the perks.
A kid shows me how to make a buck, Honestly? I don't give a ... BEEP! 
You see, I just wanna make money!
Stop this! I'm sounding desperate, repelling cash outright.
Universe will work its magic,
OK I hope it might.
I wanna make money.
It's on its way!

Let me tell you a story
'bout a gal named Sue.
Keyword hunting glory,
Making her quite blue.
SEO is raging on
Despite contrarian claims;
Social sites must carry on,
All for a moment's fame.
Getting found's the name of the game...
Gone are days of pole position SERPs!
Getting found's the name of the game...
If you value your site's worth.
Let me tell you a tale
'bout a gal named Linda.
Beauty queen without fail,
No words can ever hinder.
Research is her middle name...
Anti-aging is her thing!
SEO is her main game,

Awesome revenue it brings!
Getting found's the name of the game...
Gone are days of pole position SERPs!
Getting found's the name of the game...
If you value your site's worth.
Listen up 'cause here comes Val -
A musketeer so wise.
She does everything so well,
Dog Spoiling's sure to rise.
Clicking and a scrolling,
Content's all the rage.
Don't even bother trolling -
Just read it on the page!
That keyword hunting mama
Is getting really tired...
That keyword hunting mama
Probably should be fired!
[Music]

Late nights - it's always the same...
Troubled mind with no one to blame.
Trying to get these apps to run,
Every night it's a constant rerun.
My young mind's weathered feeling too old,
Yet another battle in this midnight cold.
It's a struggle fighting the load -
Keep on pushing, won't let it explode,
Finding strength in these soulful blues
In the midnight.
Blue screens flash, my eyes fighting sleep.
Frustration growing, the silence deep.
Time and again, the learning curve's steep!
Trying to dig secrets that my mind can't keep;
Yes, this is how wisdom unfolds.
It's a struggle fighting the load -
Keep on pushing, won't let it explode.
Finding strength in these soulful blues,

In the midnight, I pay my dues.
I'm not done yet, though it gets hard,
These challenges, they leave me scarred.
But won't back down, won't be a star fade,
In the quiet night, my dreams are laid.
Fighting the load -
Keep on pushing, won't let it explode.
Finding strength in these soulful blues,
In the midnight, I pay my dues.
Late nights, it's always the same...
Troubled mind with no one to blame.
Trying to get these apps to run...
Every night it's a constant rerun.
My young mind's weathered, feeling too old,
Yet another battle in this midnight cold.
It's the struggle fighting the load...
Keep on pushing, won't let it explode.
Finding strength in these soulful blues,
In the midnight...

Nine AM, laptop open wide,
Two furry friends right by my side.
Cat on keyboard, dog at feet.
Double trouble, twice as sweet!
I'm trying to look so polished here,
But my pets have their own ideas.
My pet coworkers steal the show,
With perfect timing, don't you know!
Pouncing in mid-interview...
Adding chaos to my Zoom view.
(Hey, who sent that email full of Z's?)
My pet coworkers cannot see
That I need work privacy!
But somehow make my workday bright,
Even when the timing's not quite right.
Big presentation on the screen,
Then you pop up like a meme!

Dog is barking through my speech...
Professional calm just out of reach.
I'm trying to look so polished here,
But my pets have their own ideas.
You've got your own agenda planned -
My keyboard's your amusement land!
But no matter what I try to do
You'll find a way to sneak right through.
Looks like my pets are in control -
They've taken over heart and soul.
Through every Zoom and every call,
They're the best coworkers of them all...
Making every workday new
Can't imagine work without you!
Even when you break the rules,
You're the cutest ones in our crew.

It's 7 am - the alarm clock buzzes.
Supposed to be retired, you know.
Not feeling it today, my husband worries.
Got to keep on with the circus show.
[Bridge]
I drag myself to my office, need to tackle email.
Got my numbers, heck, they're down...
Turn that frown upside down!
It's tough being female...
Put your makeup on!
And you'll feel better.
Put your makeup on!
Then write that letter.
What's next on the list that I never follow.
It's all in my head, you know.
Just need more time, so I will borrow.
You see, I'm always on the go.
Put your makeup on!
And you'll feel better.
Put your makeup on!

Then write that letter.
It's almost midnight, still burning the oil.
Got to get some shuteye you know.
Not feeling it tonight, my husband worries.
Got to keep on with the circus show.
Put your makeup on!
And you'll feel better.
Put your makeup on!
Then write that letter.
Not feeling it today, my husband worries.
Got to keep on with the circus show.
I drag myself to my office, need to tackle email...
Got my numbers, heck, they're down.
Turn that frown upside down!
It's tough being female... 
Put your makeup on!
And you'll feel better.
Put your makeup on!
Then write that letter.

Every morning, Pins to perfection, create and post,
Oh, just another section.
Take a scroll, a spinning collection -
Oh, oh, I've seen this view before!
If they blend - perceive, no exception,
Keeping sane, but always wanting more.
Social streams, they never end.
Social streams, they never end.
Round and round we go...
Round and round we go...
Round and round we go...
Round and round we go!
Social streams, they never end...
Social streams, they never end.
Round and round we go.
Those are all the feelings I need,
Strike another battle won!

Traffic's the game, but what's the score?
Balancing act, plates on the floor.
Losing track, where am I now?
Keep it up, just find a way - somehow;
Social streams, they never end...
Social streams, they never end.
Round and round we go!
Endless cycle, no relief inside,
Piling dreams into the night.
Keeping up this endless fight...
Will I ever see the light?
Social streams, they never end.
Social streams, they never end..
Round and round we go!
Social streams, they never end...
Social streams, they never end.
Oh yeah! Round and round we go.
Oh yeah! Round and round we go!

You're sitting at your desk complaining 'bout your nine-to-five,
Dreaming of the day you'll tell your boss "goodbye."
You think I'm living free - no one to answer to...
But let me tell you something, friend, about what's really true!
Oh, the grass ain't greener when you work alone.
When you're sick or tired you still power on.
Double the hours - half of what I made before...
Don't come knocking at my door!
You clock out at five while I'm still pushing through,
Got client calls and deadlines always due.
You envy my freedom, but here's the real deal,
The hustle's relentless, the struggle's all too real!
Oh, the grass ain't greener when you work alone.
When you're sick or tired you still power on.
Double the hours - half of what I made before...
Don't come knocking at my door!
[Music]
Late nights turn into early mornings -
Emails and calls without warnings!

You think it's paradise but here's the score,
My life ain't chillin' - it's a hardcore chore!
Vacation days...
What's that?
I can't recall...
No time to relax or even hit the mall.
You see the highlight reel and think it's all gold.
But the truth's hidden deep...
Now it's been told.
[Music]
Oh, the grass ain't greener when you work alone.
When you're sick or tired you still power on.
Double the hours - half of what I made before...
Don't come knocking at my door!
Don't come knocking at my door!
[Music]
Late nights turn into early mornings -
Emails and calls without warnings!
You think it's paradise - but here's the score...
My life ain't chillin' - it's a hardcore chore!
Vacation days...
What's that?
I can't recall...
No time to relax or even hit the mall.
You see the highlight reel and think it's all gold.
But the truth's hidden deep...

Sick and tired of gurus 
Making all that dough,
Sitting here just wondering
How the heck they know.
Time is running out so fast
... for Susan Gast
Penning poems just for fun,
With self-deprecating wit,
"What's the point?" I ask myself... 
I can't find a place to fit!
I want something to truly last,
Is that too much to ask?
Time is running out
... for Susan Gast
"Don't give up" is my internal scream,
For all the while it's just a dream.
Far away from my outstretched hand
Is that never-never land.
Working seven days a week...
Staring at the screen.
Trying hard to make a buck,
I feel like a "has been."
I know I sound real selfish.
I try and try and try.
Why is my stuff not good enough?
I know the reason why...
Time is running out so fast
... for Susan Gast
... for Susan Gast
Millenniums, Gen X, Gen Z,
The ones that get it done.

I'm a Boomer through and through,
They've got me on the run!
I won't give up, I will not quit,
Even though I should.
Shiny objects they have bit
Where I knew they would...
Penning poems just for fun,
With self-deprecating wit.
"What's the point?" I ask myself, 
I can't find a place to fit!
... for Susan Gast
... for Susan Gast
"Don't give up" is my internal scream.
For all the while it's just a dream.
Far away from my outstretched hand
Is that never-never land.
Working seven days a week,
Staring at the screen.
Trying hard to make a buck,
I feel like a "has been."
I know I sound real selfish.
I try and try and try.
Why is my stuff not good enough?
I know the reason why...
Time is running out so fast
... for Susan Gast
... for Susan Gast
Millenniums, Gen X, Gen Z,
The ones that get it done.
I'm a Boomer through and through,
They've got me on the run.

Working 25 hours a day,
Barely making take-home pay.
How long do I have to wait?
I'm stuck at the starting gate...
Working eight full days a week,
Ways of making money I seek.
Nothing ever sticks to the wall!
I'm not successful... at all.
Tired of seeing other people thrive;
It's hard to feel alive.
Will success ever happen to me?
Or is this all that I will ever be?
Is that Lady Luck knocking at my door?
Asking me to give her something more?
Is this what I've been waiting for?
... Open the door.
Open the door!
Working eight full days a week,
Ways of making money I seek.
Nothing ever sticks to the wall!
I'm not successful... at all.
Oh my gosh!
[Music]
Oh my gosh, they actually want me!

They're willing to buy my stuff!
The tide has changed.
My boat is lifted.
Nice to think that I am gifted!
Is that Lady Luck knocking at my door?
Asking me to give her something more?
Is this what I've been waiting for?
... Open the door.
Open the door!
Patience, grasshopper...
... Open the door, let Lady Luck in.
[Music]
Oh my gosh, they actually want me!
They're willing to buy my stuff!
The tide has changed.
My boat is lifted.
Nice to think that I am gifted!
Is that Lady Luck knocking at my door?
Asking me to give her something more?
Is this what I've been waiting for?
... Open the door.
Open the door!
Patience, grasshopper...
... Open the door, let Lady Luck in.

Been working hard since 6 am,
Didn't get much sleep last night.
It's par for the course...
When you're working like a horse!
Always working twice as hard,
Swiping my old credit card.
Who to fire and who to hire...
Feeling like my hair's on fire!
Don't complain you've got a job...
Quit one day, you'll be a slob.
Keep your mind and body active...
Think it through, don't be reactive.
Spinning plates and meeting deadlines,
Try to keep out of the headlines.
It's par for the course...
When you're working like a horse!
Many think I've got it made,
Life's not full of lemonade...
I've no need to punch a clock,
But I'm not sleeping like a rock!
If you play your cards right -
You'll get six hours' sleep.
If you play your cards right -
You won't get in too deep.
[Music]

The easy-life fallacy
Of being self-employed...
Comes at a very high cost
But very much enjoyed!
When you're self-employed...
When you're self-employed.
When you're self-employed!
When you're self-employed.
You're a slave to yourself!
When you're self-employed...
[Music]
Been working hard since 6 am,
Didn't get much sleep last night.
It's par for the course...
When you're working like a horse!
Always working twice as hard,
Swiping my old credit card.
Who to fire and who to hire...
Feeling like my hair's on fire!
Don't complain you've got a job...
Quit one day, you'll be a slob...
Keep your mind and body active...
Think it through, don't be reactive!
[Music]

Working hard at the zoo -
Working hard for me and you.
All my pages are in cages...
And there's nothing I can do!
When all is said and done
It's all been said and done!
Trying to fix the broken stories
Neath the burning midnight sun.
Feeding dreams to the lions -
Counting stars that won't align.
Every monkey's having fun -
But I'm on this endless run...
When all is said and done
It's all been said and done!
Trying to fix the broken stories
Neath the burning midnight sun.

Lovers laugh and stray away -
Under moonlight's gentle sway.
I am stuck here with the tigers...
While the hours turn to clay.
"Time is of the essence" -
My boss keeps telling me.
Time is of the essence...
It's really killing me!
Working hard at the zoo -
Working hard for me and you.
All my pages are in cages...
And there's nothing I can do!
When all is said and done
It's all been said and done!
[Music]

Writing for a living, is it easy to do?
I have a super simple tip just for you.
I'll share it at the end if you don't mind...
So keep on listening, be so kind!
Writing's fun, but it takes time.
Maybe get help with a glass of wine.
Drunk or sober, it doesn't matter.
But honestly? I prefer the latter.
Today AI is all the rage, it helps you get stuff on the page.
Use it wisely, always check - legalities... don't break your neck.
[Music]
Here's a tip to get you started,
While your book is being plotted.
Always read your words aloud.
Omit the stumbles, strike them out.
When you read words in silence,
Eyes see what they want to see..
Edit errant words with glee.
Writing's fun, but it takes time...

Maybe get help with a glass of wine.
Drunk or sober, it doesn't matter.
But honestly? I prefer the latter.
Here is my best tip of all:
The magic's in the editing.
Don't worry now, just get it done;
You're very close to finishing.
[Music]
When your book is in your hands...
Doesn't it feel great?
Congrats, you're now an Author!
Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurray!
[Music]
Drunk or sober, it doesn't matter.
But honestly? I prefer the latter.
Today AI is all the rage, it helps you get stuff on the page.
Use it wisely, always check - legalities... don't break your neck.
[Music]
Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurray!