Sellout

(album: I Wanna Be Somebody - 2022)

He could hear his daddy in the old farm house
In a circle full of lawyers tryna buy him out
They waved a seven-figure check for his red dirt ground
He just looked 'em in the eyes, said, "Get the hell out"
On the steps of that porch, his arms around his boy
Watched the Cadillac drive away

Said, "Listen to 'em yell, listen to 'em scream
Listen to 'em stomping on this crazy dream
Ain't no man or money gonna set you free
If you only learn one thing
Always stand for something
Or you'll fall for any damn thing, no doubt
Boy, don't you ever be no sellout"

Barely twenty years old, guitar in his hand
Sitting across the desk from a record man
(Come on in, sit down, let's talk to you for a minute)
Put a cigarette out, said, "We'll make you a star"
(Alright, kid, we're gonna change your look)
(We're gonna change your name)
(We're gonna change everything about who you are)
(You just trust me)
"Sir, I hate to waste your time, can't sign on that line"
Heard his daddy's voice in his head

Said, "Listen to 'em yell, listen to 'em scream
Listen to 'em stomping on this crazy dream
Ain't no man or money gonna set you free
If you only learn one thing
Always stand for something
Or you'll fall for any damn thing, no doubt
Boy, don't you ever be no sellout"

Now he's walking that tunnel, he can hear the crowd
And night after night, he never gets tired of that sound
Mic check, one, two, here we go again
(Check, check, one, one, two, check, check, three, three, check)
He says a little prayer when the house lights dim
Straps on his guitar, looks up through the dark
Says, "Daddy, we've come so far"

Listen to 'em yell, listen to 'em scream
Listen to 'em going wild for this crazy dream
I remember everything you ever taught me
Wish you were here to hear me sing
Always stand for something
Or you'll fall for any damn thing, no doubt
Man, I know wherever you are, you'd be so proud
'Cause you I never sold out
But tonight, it's a sell-out