In Scene 6 of "Love Is...," Brian and Joe go on a job search. The moment seems right for a song describing their frustration with being unable to find a job. Years ago, I wrote a song about just that topic. It is called "Do what You're Good At (And Do It For Money)." {A reference to the movie "Streets of Fire."}
The song was about my personal struggles with finding a teaching job. It featured lines like "How's a guy with a college education supposed to make it in this world?" It also referenced ultimatums given to me by my girlfriend at the time: "I've got to work or else I'm gonna lose my honey."
My thinking is that I could either write a new song for the show that basically says the same thing as the song I already wrote; or I could incorporate the song I already wrote into the show. Guess which one I picked.
The first verse was originally introductory angst about the job search. (Sending out all of these resumes / Keep sending them out every day / My year's salary ran out in June, and I haven't got a penny to pay.) A new character, with a very different situation, needs different lyrics. (Sending out all of these resumes / I'll
keep sending them out 'til the end. / Had
to leave my comfortable living, And
I'm back in the saddle again.) This was followed by a reference to the troubles of temping, and how they gave the "High paying jobs to the girls." (True story. I used to work for this temp agency and they gave me warehouse work for $8 an hour. When I asked about reception and secretarial jobs that payed $15, they said, "Oh yeah, they have boys do that now.") Brian isn't at the point of temporary work... yet, so instead, this becomes a pep talk for Brian to psych himself for the interview.
A lyric that stayed in tact was a reference to me losing a job because they brought back another guy who was more popular, but seriously didn't teach the students anything of substance. This becomes, in Brian's world, a reference to him losing the promotion to a younger, less qualified candidate that his bosses felt had more pull with clients.
Finally, the third verse used to jokingly reference my difficulty with authority, and how I used to protest when I felt an administrator was telling me to compromise my principles; and how I learned my lesson and would never do it again, I promise. This verse, unchanged, now belongs to Joe. Joe has just had his big fight with Kim, and has revealed that his parents have kicked him out, and shipped his stuff to Kim's house. He's now looking for work. This verse, along with the specifics of his fight in the previous scene, reveal his immaturity, and how NOT ready for commitment he really is.
The lyrics for "Do What You're Good At" have fluctuated over time, and really fell into a good rhythm through several performances. Changing them now, they seem strange and abrupt. Perhaps it will take several performances and sing throughs for the new lyrics to settle in.
