Prior to his success as an artist, Houser lived as a songwriter, co-writing singles including "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Trace Adkins, "Back That Thing Up" by Justin Moore, and "My Cowboy" by country pop artist Jessie James.
Paycheck Man
Randy Houser Lyrics
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Another tank of gas
These days a dollar it goes to quick
Man, it just don't last
Always something, can't catch a break
Ain't no saving for a rainy day
[Chorus]
Working hired hand
I'd take this job and shove it but I just can't
Gettin' up out of bed
Keepin' them babies fed
Never gonna get ahead
But there ain't no quittin' doing all I can
I gotta make a livin', I'm a paycheck man
Broke-down back, hell just my luck
I tried to call in sick but the boss man says
"Son, you better show up."
So I bite my tongue and I check my pride
And I punch that clock, y'all, that's just the life
[Chorus]
Well, folks like us are the heartbeat of this great land
Puttin' in more than we getting back
Workin' overtime for uncle Sam
[Chorus]
I'm a paycheck man
In Randy Houser's song "Paycheck Man," the lyrics paint a picture of a hardworking individual who is struggling to make ends meet. The opening lines describe the everyday expenses of buying groceries and filling up the gas tank, both of which seem to be draining the individual's finances. The lyrics go on to express the frustration of not being able to save, constantly struggling to stay afloat, and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.
The chorus highlights the person as a "paycheck man," emphasizing the importance of their job and the need to continue working even when quitting may seem like the better option. Despite the difficulties of the job, such as a physical breakdown, the individual continues to show up, work hard, and provide for their family. The song portrays the person as part of the backbone of the country, the working-class individual who is often forgotten and taken for granted, but who keeps the economy moving.
One of the interesting facts about "Paycheck Man" is that it was co-written by Randy Houser himself, along with Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins. The song was released in 2009 as part of Houser's debut album, "Anything Goes." The album also includes other popular songs, such as "Boots On" and "Whistlin' Dixie."
Another interesting fact is that the song resonated with many listeners, particularly those who identified with the struggles of living paycheck to paycheck. The song's message of the importance of hard work and perseverance struck a chord with listeners who loved Houser's raw, authentic sound and relatable lyrics.
"Paycheck Man" was also used as the theme song for the Spike TV reality show "Flip Men," which followed a team of real estate investors in Utah who buy and renovate homes to resell for a profit.
The song's popularity also led to Houser being invited to perform it on various television shows, including "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
Other interesting facts about the song and album include that it was produced by Mark Wright, who has worked with other country music artists such as Brooks & Dunn and Lee Ann Womack. The album also received positive reviews from critics, with The Boston Globe calling it a "credible and hard-charging debut."
Overall, "Paycheck Man" is a powerful song that resonates with many listeners due to its relatable lyrics and message of the importance of hard work and perseverance. Its popularity helped launch Houser's career and established him as a talented country artist with a unique sound.
Chords: G, C, D, Em.
Line by Line Meaning
Another sack of groceries
I have to buy more groceries again
Another tank of gas
I need to fill up my car with gas once again
These days a dollar it goes to quick
Money doesn't last long these days
Man, it just don't last
Money doesn't last long enough
Always something, can't catch a break
Problems keep coming, and I can never catch a break
Ain't no saving for a rainy day
I can't save any money for emergencies
I'm a paycheck man
My life revolves around getting paid
Working hired hand
I work as a hired hand
I'd take this job and shove it but I just can't
I hate my job, but I can't quit
Gettin' up out of bed
Every day, I have to drag myself out of bed
Keepin' them babies fed
I have to work to provide for my children
Never gonna get ahead
No matter what I do, I'll never get ahead financially
But there ain't no quittin' doing all I can
I can't quit because I need to provide for my family
I gotta make a livin', I'm a paycheck man
The only way I can provide for my family is by working hard and getting paid
Broke-down back, hell just my luck
My back is hurting, and it's just my bad luck
I tried to call in sick but the boss man says
I wanted to call in sick, but my boss won't let me
So I bite my tongue and I check my pride
I have to keep quiet and swallow my pride
And I punch that clock, y'all, that's just the life
I clock in and start working, and that's just how it is
Well, folks like us are the heartbeat of this great land
People like us are the backbone of the country, working hard and contributing to society
Puttin' in more than we getting back
We work hard, but we don't always get rewarded fairly
Workin' overtime for uncle Sam
We have to work overtime to pay our taxes and support the government
I'm a paycheck man
Once again, my whole identity revolves around getting paid
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANNY MYRICK, DEREK GEORGE, RANDY HOUSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind