"The Capitalist Blues” (2018)

In this age of winner-take-all, rainbow capitalism, “The Capitalist Blues” would serve as an appropriate anthem for more than a few people in many economies around the world.

No Gold, but Plenty of Blue

McCalla sings about how she’s “swimming in an ocean of sharks,” and about how she’s expected to “give everything” away to the poor rich folk who have stumbled upon such hard times.

Indeed, it can be “cold, cold world,” and it’s enough to give anyone the blues. Oh, and as for that pot of gold that’s waiting for you at the end of the rainbow … first you godda get to the rainbow.

Leyla McCalla

Leyla McCalla is an American musician who perfoms both classical music and folk music. Her parents, both of whom had been born in Haiti, were active in human-rights organizations, and her grandfather was the editor of a NYC-based socialist newspaper.

Blue and Other Brighter Colors

After university in New York City, Leyla moved to New Orleans, where she immersed herself in the local musical traditions. She worked on her debut album, “Vari-Colored Songs,” for 5 years before releasing it.

Drop Out

While Leyla is primarily known as the former cellist of the noted string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, she also plays the guitar and the banjo. After playing with the CC Drops for several years, she left the band to pursue her solo career. _{(Image source)}

You keep telling me to climb this ladder

I’ve got to pay me dues

But as I rise, the stakes get higher

I’ve got the Capitalist Blues

And if I give everything

I won’t have much more to lose

I am swimming in an ocean of sharks

They are telling me how I’m gonna make

My little mark, in this cold, cold world

It can be such a cold, cold world

You keep telling me to go a little higher
Try to take a different view
But, you can see, I’m not inspired
I’ve got the Capitalist Blues
And if I give everything
I won’t have much more to lose
It’s not fair, it’s not right
I don’t know what I’m gonna do with my life
It’s not fair, it’s not right
I wasn’t born to just endure all this strife
Tryna make my way, in this cold, cold world
It can be such a cold, cold world
  _{(Image source)} _{Lyrics by Leyla McCalla, courtesy of – YouTube

Reference – Wikipedia

Reference – Discogs.com

Reference – TheGuardian.com

Into your ears … through 5 channels

The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}

         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)

         2 – “Cover Versions”

         3 – “Honor Roll”

         4 – “Documentaries”

         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Music to Your Ears” ...

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Links to my other series ...}

Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"