[Intro: male, time-clock clicks] Hard work opens doors. Mine opened to somebody else’s shift. [Verse 1: male rap, sparse beat] Clock in early, sun still sleeping, Boss in bed, but his texts keep beeping. Cleared my list, thought I earned some peace, Got two more jobs and somebody’s keys. [Verse 1, add funk bass and claps] He takes breaks just to plan his break, I fix everything, get called the mistake. He does nothing, they love his charm, I blink twice—“Sound the alarm!” [Verse 1, add arpeggios and fast hi-hats] Boss said, “Why won’t this coupon scan?” Expired last March—gotta read it, man. Corporate called, said, “Try it twice.” Three pay grades can’t get half price. [Verse 1, add synth brass and countermelody] “We’re family!” Here comes the favor, Family never seems to share the paper. Made it look easy, that was my crime, Now his whole shift gets added to mine. [Chorus: female lead, male responses] I’m employee of the problem, star of the blame, Do a little too good, get more of the same. Every time I clear my plate, you bring me two, The reward for doing work is more work to do. He does nothing, somehow he’s doing fine, I do everything, still explain my time. Put my picture on the wall, spell my name right, Employee of the problem, keeping on the lights. [Verse 2: male, plucked synth and vocal chops] Eight in the morning? They call that pain, I’ve worked three hours before their train. “See the big picture”—penthouse view, Come downstairs, there’s a line for you. [Verse 2: distorted bass, strings, drum fills] Fresh shoes asking, “Why’s service slow?” Cut three shifts—where’d the workers go? “How’s this register?” “Go ask your team.” Big check just to say, “Don’t ask me.” [Chorus: duet, building] Employee of the problem, star of the blame, Do a little too good, get more of the same. Every time I clear my plate, you bring me two, The reward for doing work is more work to do. You clock in at nine, I clock in at seven, Act like that upstairs office is heaven— [Hard cut] [Bridge: 16-bar gospel-blues, piano, stomps] If that’s heaven, why’s the roof still leaking? Why’s my phone ringing every weekend? Asked for one day, you need my reasons, Your vacation lasts four whole seasons. [Male testimony: add organ] Can I get a witness from the closing crew? Five minutes left, here’s a job for you. “Be a leader!” So I ran that floor, Got written up for staying more. [Female belt: choir and guitar] My name ain’t “Can you stay tonight?” My bills don’t take “You’re doing all right.” Got a whole life past that door, It deserves more than my leftovers. [Full band: duet] Let the clipboard king carry one box! Let the meeting queen open the shop! Let the front office work that line! Then tell me who earned overtime! [Finale: electronic beat and gospel, duet] Employee of the problem, star of the blame, Funny how this whole place runs on my name. Every time I clear my plate, you bring me two, The reward for doing work is more work to do! More
