P… Read Full Bio ↴For group credited work see Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three
Pokey LaFarge is a musician, songwriter, bandleader, entertainer, innovator and preservationist, whose arsenal of talents has placed him at the forefront of American music. Over the last decade, Pokey has won the hearts of music lovers across the globe with his creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing. After signing with Jack White’s Third Man Records to release his fifth full-length album (Pokey LaFarge) in 2013, he performed as a musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show on Ireland's RTÉ One network. Pokey's rendition of "Lovesick Blues" with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, featured on an episode of Boardwalk Empire, was selected for inclusion on the series' official soundtrack (Vol. 2). Additionally, Pokey appeared in Disney’s The Lone Ranger (both on screen and on the original score), was featured on A Prairie Home Companion and NPR's World Cafe, and recorded a song for ATO Records' Divided & United: Songs of the Civil War, produced by Randall Poster.
2014 looks to be Pokey’s most momentous year yet; by spring, Pokey will have brought his music to five continents, with international tours in India, Australia and New Zealand. In the past year, Pokey's tour trail (consisting of over 250 shows) included appearances at clubs and festivals across the USA and Canada as well as two extensive tours in Europe. Pokey has played with the likes of Jack White, The Raconteurs, Wanda Jackson, Old Crow Medicine Show, and most recently, Carolina Chocolate Drops. As an opening act on Jack White's Blunderbuss tour, he delighted sold out crowds at Red Rocks Amphitheater and Radio City Music Hall, among other notable venues in North America. Pokey is currently touring with a five-piece backing band, including his original bandmates (Ryan Koenig on harmonica, washboard and snare, Adam Hoskins on guitar and Joey Glynn on upright bass), in addition to Chloe Feoranzo on clarinet and TJ Muller on cornet.
At only 30 years old, Pokey’s career has not slowed in momentum since it began with his first release Marmalade (2007). Shortly followed by Beat, Move and Shake (2008) and Riverboat Soul (2010), Pokey quickly graduated from breakthrough artist to leading musical figure, receiving two consecutive Independent Music Awards for Best Americana Album (Riverboat Soul and Middle of Everywhere).
Pokey’s music transcends the confines of genre, continually challenging the notion that tradition-bearers fail to push musical boundaries. Rather than merely conjuring up half-forgotten imagery of days past, Pokey is a lyrical storyteller, the plot delivered smoothly through his dynamic vocals. Both on stage and off, his effortless wit never fails to charm audiences, giving way to a live music experience that manages to be grandiose and unassuming all at once. Born in the heartland of America and based in St. Louis, Missouri, Pokey’s Midwestern charisma welcomes his audiences with open arms.
Pokey LaFarge is on a mission, encouraging fans worldwide to think differently about what it means to celebrate musical traditions. Simply put, Pokey explains, “It’s not retro music. It’s American music that never died.”
Day After Day
Pokey LaFarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got to have my tea when the sun goes down
Every page of my life, the same old story
Nine to five, day after day I can be found
Hangin’ around that water cooler (workin’ everyday)
Five o’ clock can’t come sooner (workin’ my life away)
Waitin’ for the evening to roll around (workin’ everyday)
I get no relief when my working day is done
Just to sit in rush hour man, you know that ain’t no fun
I could be sailing off the coast of some tropical island
Leanin’ in the shade of some big palm trees
I should be out chasin’ girls or sitting at home learning violin
And doing all those other things I said I’d do eventually, instead I’m
I get no relief when my working day is done
Just to sit in rush hour man, you know that stuff just ain’t no fun
I pray for no more water coolers, five o’ clock to come much sooner
That some day, some night, sweet relief will come to me
Day after day
(Workin’ every day)
(Workin’ my life away)
(Workin’ every day)
The song Day After Day by Pokey LaFarge is a commentary on the monotony and drudgery of daily life. The singer is stuck in a cycle of working a nine-to-five job, waiting for the evening to roll around, and then repeating the same routine the next day. They long for something more, for the freedom to sail off the coast of a tropical island or pursue their hobbies and interests. The repetition of the phrase "day after day" emphasizes the tedium of their existence.
The verses describe the singer's daily routine, from needing coffee in the morning to sitting in rush hour traffic at night. They feel trapped and exhausted, longing for relief from the endless cycle. The choruses express this desire for escape and relief, praying for the end of water cooler conversations and the arrival of sweet relief.
Overall, Day After Day is a relatable and poignant commentary on the struggles of modern life. It captures the frustration and longing many people feel when trapped in a routine that offers little fulfillment or joy.
Line by Line Meaning
I got to have my coffee when I wake up in the morning
I need my coffee to start my day
I got to have my tea when the sun goes down
I need my tea to relax at the end of the day
Every page of my life, the same old story
My life is predictable and unchanging
Nine to five, day after day I can be found
I have a monotonous office job and work the same hours every day
Hangin’ around that water cooler (workin’ everyday)
I spend my days at work chatting around the water cooler
Five o’ clock can’t come sooner (workin’ my life away)
I'm counting down the hours until I can leave work
Waitin’ for the evening to roll around (workin’ everyday)
I'm eagerly anticipating the end of the workday
My shift is over, I’m highway bound day after day
I leave work every day and hit the highway to go home
I get no relief when my working day is done
Even after work, I don't feel any sense of relaxation or relief
Just to sit in rush hour man, you know that ain’t no fun
I have to endure the stress of rush hour traffic
I could be sailing off the coast of some tropical island
I dream of being somewhere far away and exotic
Leanin’ in the shade of some big palm trees
Envisioning myself relaxing in a peaceful, tropical paradise
I should be out chasin’ girls or sitting at home learning violin
I feel like I'm missing out on life and the things I really want to do
And doing all those other things I said I’d do eventually, instead I’m
Despite my best intentions, I never get around to doing the things I planned on doing
I pray for no more water coolers, five o’ clock to come much sooner
I hope to escape the monotony of office life and leave work earlier
That some day, some night, sweet relief will come to me
I long for some sort of relief from my stressful daily routine
Day after day
My life is the same every day
(Workin’ every day)
I work every single day
(Workin’ my life away)
My life is consumed by work
Contributed by Grace A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
johnnie soesbee
Been listening to Pokey and the gang for a few years now. In 50 years, another generation will say.
It must have been great to see them live 🙂
🎶🤘😎🤘🎶
knordag
Greetings from Australia! Just found these guys a few days ago, such a great band. There's something about his lyrics - I think everyone in every age can relate to the stories he tells in his songs. Just love it ☺️
DC Scotty B
Saw them at DC9 in Washington DC some years ago. Incredibly talented and such a great vibe they put out!
paul elliott
Pokey and band are damn fantastic
Phil Hanna
You all are so good; love the sound, music, style. Keep it going.
Ron Bennett
All of their music is just so real....enjoyable and lovely
Nosferatu 85
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! In crystal clear mono 😍😍😍 My soundsystem is loving this! (Hopefully my neighbours as well!)
Roy Mitchell
I will play this in the summer evgs really enjoyable, good voice
Karl Crook
Saw this band in NZ 3 yrs ago.didnt stop dancing all night!
beast shawnee
That must have been amazing!