He appeared on the 2004 tribute album to his father entitled Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon singing the previously unreleased song Studebaker. In 2005 he appeared on another tribute album called Hurry Home Early: the Songs of Warren Zevon where he sang another unreleased song called Warm Rain with Simone Stevens. He has also produced several films including the motion picture $pent (2000).
In 2005, he released his self-titled debut EP on Texas based New West Records.
Payday
Jordan Zevon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you'd be my willing volunteer
At least you've got the face to save
Cross your fingers 'til it's payday
If I try my best to sound sincere
Will you marry me within the year?
If you love and honor I'll obey
On our own
We've got enough to go on
But together we'll have to work to live on
Hold the landlord off at bay
Stiff the piper 'til it's payday
Armed with our wax winged Achilles heels
Tales of bravely useless high ideals
As long as we keep pride at bay
Any day will soon be payday
On our own
We've got enough to go on
But together we'll have to work to live on
Hold the landlord off at bay
Stiff the piper 'til it's payday
We know
We haven't got too far to go
So we must try
Got to try to keep our pride in tow
Hold the landlord off at bay
Stiff the piper 'til it's payday
I will be your paper pioneer
If you'd only stay 'til payday
The song "Payday" by Jordan Zevon is an upbeat tune that tells the story of two people struggling to make ends meet, but finding hope in each other. The singer offers to be the other's "paper pioneer," meaning he will take care of the paperwork and finances if the other person agrees to be his partner in this journey. The chorus emphasizes the importance of their teamwork in getting through the financial struggles, with references to holding off the landlord and stiffing the piper until payday.
The second verse takes a more romantic approach, with the singer asking the other person to marry him if he sounds sincere enough. He promises to love and obey if given the chance. The bridge references the Greek myth of Icarus and his wax wings, implying that the singers may be taking risks and holding onto their high ideals, but ultimately they need to keep their pride in check to survive.
Overall, "Payday" is a song about perseverance in the face of financial hardship and finding hope in human connection. Despite the seriousness of these topics, Jordan Zevon presents them in an optimistic and upbeat way that makes the listener want to root for these characters.
Line by Line Meaning
I will be your paper pioneer
I will take the lead in our finances and manage them like a pioneer.
If you'd be my willing volunteer
If you agree to work with me and help raise some money, we can make it work.
At least you've got the face to save
You are good looking, so we can use that to get by until we make some money.
Cross your fingers 'til it's payday
Hope and pray we make it till we get paid.
If I try my best to sound sincere
If I make a heartfelt effort to show my love and commitment to you, will you marry me within the year?
Will you marry me within the year?
I am willing to commit to a long-term plan if you are willing to work with me.
If you love and honor I'll obey
If you show me love and respect, I will support and follow you.
To pave the way until it's payday
We need to make small but prudent decisions that will lead us to a payday.
On our own
We can manage alone, but it is better to work together to achieve our goals.
We've got enough to go on
We have the basics we need to survive, but not enough for comfort.
But together we'll have to work to live on
We both need to contribute to cover our expenses and live well.
Hold the landlord off at bay
We need to negotiate rent payments, so we are not evicted before payday.
Stiff the piper 'til it's payday
Postpone payments to creditors until we get paid.
Armed with our wax winged Achilles heels
We have weaknesses but also strengths that we can overcome using smart planning and effort.
Tales of bravely useless high ideals
We have lofty goals, but we need practical efforts to achieve them.
As long as we keep pride at bay
We need to avoid pride that may hinder our collaboration and progress.
Any day will soon be payday
We need to maintain our optimism and hopes high that a payday is close.
We know
We understand our situation and limitations.
We haven't got too far to go
We are not too far from making it, but it requires effort and collaboration.
So we must try
We need to make an effort.
Got to try to keep our pride in tow
We need to work hard to avoid ego issues that may derail our progress.
I will be your paper pioneer
I am committed to leading our financial destiny.
If you'd only stay 'til payday
If you can survive with me till payday, I am sure we will make it big.
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.