—– SSC7 Artist Statement —–
Those familiar with my work have likely noticed the threads of darkness woven throughout my songs. This isn’t a reflection of my current circumstances—I’ve been fortunate to live a good life—but rather stems from my childhood in poverty and my enduring fascination with themes of struggle, depression, and human suffering.
These dark songs aren’t meant to bring you down or make you despair. Instead, they serve as a reminder of perspective. When you listen to the hotel cleaning lady’s story—her endless cycle of menial work, her dreams perpetually deferred, her quiet resignation to a life that seems to offer no escape—I hope it illuminates something about your own situation. Even in your darkest moments, when you feel trapped or overwhelmed by life’s challenges, your circumstances likely contain more possibility than hers.
This isn’t about minimizing anyone’s real pain or struggles. Rather, it’s about recognizing that hope exists even in the bleakest scenarios, and that awareness of others’ hardships can sometimes help us see the light that exists in our own lives. Through exploring the depths of human desperation, we can better appreciate the heights of human resilience—and perhaps find the strength to keep moving forward.
—– END OF STATEMENT —–
My uniform is maroon
And I’ve always dreamed
That I’d get out of here soon. [Verse 2] Some days I go to work
And think it’s today
Then some dirty towels
Get thrown into my face. [Chorus: chanting] One day I’ll wake up
And I will be me
One day I’ll make it out
And I will be free [Instrumental] [Verse 3] Sometimes I go out
And try finding a man
But when they see my maroon
They lose interest real soon [Verse 4] So now I just go home
After my shift is done
Then go to bed at ten
After watching reruns [Chorus: chanting] One day I’ll wake up
And I will be me
One day I’ll make it out
And I will be free [Instrumental] [Verse 5] Vacuum hums a steady beat
I smell like bleach head to toe
Thirty rooms need fresh sheets
Clean till they’re good to go. [Verse 6] Shoes worth more than my rent
Champagne bottles everywhere
Toilet bowl clogged bad
Rich folks just don’t care. [Break] [Outro] One day I’ma die
I’ll be in a box
They’ll throw me in the ground
And I won’t clean no more.
I won’t have to clean up after y’all no more
I won’t have to clean up after y’all…
I won’t have to clean up after y’all no more
(I won’t have to clean up after y’all no more)