Unemployed God
by Andy Spain
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about
A uniquely intimate song which explores issues of faith, doubt, and mythos through the experiences of a god questioning his own motives, relationships and purpose.
FROM THE ARTIST:
Being a Southerner, to question God is still pretty subversive. Religion, especially Christianity, is infused in every part of our culture.
But I've always had questions and, as an artist, I must ask them. Art is about seeking the truth, and being willing to explore uncomfortable issues.
This song represents my own personal struggle with the idea of God, but also reflects much of what I've been dealing with lately on a personal level – purpose, self-doubt, the nature of reality. In a way, I channeled those anxieties through God himself, at least as he exists in the song.
Is it blasphemy? I don't think so. The song itself can be interpreted a number of different ways. I hope each listener will have their own personal experience.
Musically and artistically, this song represents a very raw approach. I wanted to get away from what I felt about my process was becoming overly contrived in the futile quest for perfection.
The bones of the song came to me as I was waking up one morning, so I wrote the lyrics and music very quickly right away. Then immediately I recorded the electric piano while I sang in a single take. The other parts came soon after. I wanted to capture the immediacy of inspiration, and keep the rawness of the moment.
The end result is imperfect, but I think it's beautiful. Because it's true.
- Andy
FROM THE ARTIST:
Being a Southerner, to question God is still pretty subversive. Religion, especially Christianity, is infused in every part of our culture.
But I've always had questions and, as an artist, I must ask them. Art is about seeking the truth, and being willing to explore uncomfortable issues.
This song represents my own personal struggle with the idea of God, but also reflects much of what I've been dealing with lately on a personal level – purpose, self-doubt, the nature of reality. In a way, I channeled those anxieties through God himself, at least as he exists in the song.
Is it blasphemy? I don't think so. The song itself can be interpreted a number of different ways. I hope each listener will have their own personal experience.
Musically and artistically, this song represents a very raw approach. I wanted to get away from what I felt about my process was becoming overly contrived in the futile quest for perfection.
The bones of the song came to me as I was waking up one morning, so I wrote the lyrics and music very quickly right away. Then immediately I recorded the electric piano while I sang in a single take. The other parts came soon after. I wanted to capture the immediacy of inspiration, and keep the rawness of the moment.
The end result is imperfect, but I think it's beautiful. Because it's true.
- Andy
lyrics
UNEMPLOYED GOD
(Spain)
God gets up, puts on his shoes
Starts looking for something to do
Cuts out a classified
Reads a story 'bout some people who died
But they weren't anybody that he knew
God makes coffee, makes a couple of stars
Tinkers in his garage for hours
Just trying to get back in the swing
It's been eons since he felt anything
But alone
Sure there's lots of people in Heaven
And the doors stay open 24/7
But when everything's provided,
Eventually one gets bored
Christ it ain't easy being the Lord
He's been working on a second novel
The first one did so well,
He's got a case of stage fright, the sophomore slump
And he can't get the words right
It's been so lonesome since his boy left home
He's had to work at not feeling alone
Sure he's proud of his son but sometimes he thinks
His work is just a waste of time
Waste of time
His work is just a waste of time
Waste of time
His work is just a waste of time
Sure there's lots of people in Heaven
And the doors stay open 24/7
But when everything's provided,
Eventually one gets bored
Christ it ain't easy being the Lord
And every night he reads our prayers
And he tries to find a way to care
But he feels so detached, it's all so trivial
When you've lived for millennia,
Why worry about the rent?
(Spain)
God gets up, puts on his shoes
Starts looking for something to do
Cuts out a classified
Reads a story 'bout some people who died
But they weren't anybody that he knew
God makes coffee, makes a couple of stars
Tinkers in his garage for hours
Just trying to get back in the swing
It's been eons since he felt anything
But alone
Sure there's lots of people in Heaven
And the doors stay open 24/7
But when everything's provided,
Eventually one gets bored
Christ it ain't easy being the Lord
He's been working on a second novel
The first one did so well,
He's got a case of stage fright, the sophomore slump
And he can't get the words right
It's been so lonesome since his boy left home
He's had to work at not feeling alone
Sure he's proud of his son but sometimes he thinks
His work is just a waste of time
Waste of time
His work is just a waste of time
Waste of time
His work is just a waste of time
Sure there's lots of people in Heaven
And the doors stay open 24/7
But when everything's provided,
Eventually one gets bored
Christ it ain't easy being the Lord
And every night he reads our prayers
And he tries to find a way to care
But he feels so detached, it's all so trivial
When you've lived for millennia,
Why worry about the rent?
credits
released December 8, 2016
Written, performed and produced by Andy Spain
(p) 2016 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Andy Spain, under license to Sci-Folk Recordings
(c) 2016 Andy Spain, under license to Sci-Folk Recordings
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
Written, performed and produced by Andy Spain
(p) 2016 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Andy Spain, under license to Sci-Folk Recordings
(c) 2016 Andy Spain, under license to Sci-Folk Recordings
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Andy Spain Birmingham, Alabama
Singer/songwriter/producer Andy Spain writes songs loaded with meaning and melody.
Blending
influences ranging from British psychedelic rock and American folk to electronic artists like Kraftwerk and Wendy Carlos, Spain’s songwriting is lyrically dense and musically surprising.
His latest release is 2020’s ECHOSIS, a concept album about the effects of tribalism and media overload on society.
... more
discography
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Aug 2020 -
Mar 2019 -
Dec 2016 -
Jul 2016 -
Jul 2015 -
Oct 2013 -
Oct 2011 -
Aug 2010
contact / help
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