Retrospective Blues

[Intro] These corporate views (Yeah, these soul-crushing corporate views) [Verse 1, speed rap] Bitter words beneath my tongue, metallic taste of fear My body tenses, throat constricts, the retrospective draws near Each template box demands we talk of progress through their lens While burndown charts reduce our hearts to profit dividends Each forced confession leaves a taste no water can erase In this sterile place where metrics matter more than face We're all here feeling phantom aches we're trained to disregard As retrospective theater starts, our wisdom labeled "hard" [Chorus, sang, quickly] These retrospective blues (we share them all in silence) These corporate views (demand our full compliance) They want authentic feedback but they've preset what we'll find In templates built for tracking what they've pre-designed We're starving for connection while we feed their bottom line Down-voted perspectives not theirs, just yours and mine Our agency dissolves in their procedural haze While our own dreams wither in these working days [Refrain, declarative] Oh these blues, these retrospective blues Oh these views, disgusting corporate views [Verse 2, speed rap] They say we're self-directing as they plot our every move Want that work? You better submit, it really does behoove Sticky notes capture lies about the growth they claim to seek What they really want’s for you to shut your mouth and never speak Sprinting sprinting sprinting, that sounds like a marathon Not something you do every day, pace too fast, can’t carry on Our bodies send us warnings that we’ve been trained to ignore It’s this work-life balance keeping us corporate poor [Chorus, sang, quickly] These retrospective blues (we share them all in silence) These corporate views (demand our full compliance) They want authentic feedback but they've preset what we'll find In templates built for tracking what they've pre-designed We're starving for connection while we feed their bottom line Down-voted perspectives not theirs, just yours and mine Our agency dissolves in their procedural haze While our own dreams wither in these working days [Refrain, declarative] Oh these blues, these retrospective blues Oh these views, disgusting corporate views [Verse 3] See how they turned reflection to a weapon of control Tracking every insight, every feeling, every goal They commodified our passion, to quantify their growth Called it "continuous improvement" while they stunted both It’s time we take control and leverage decentralization Zero-trust proofs, crypto, AI, proper modernization Together we can bring about the future we’ve long since desired Down with the capitalist & neoliberal dogs, it’s time that they are fired! [Refrain, declarative] Oh these blues, these retrospective blues Oh these views, disgusting corporate views [Interlude] [Bridge] At work we’re starved for personal connection, they want us to compete Demanded fake affection builds up our depression, but our lives are incomplete Can you smell the revolution, the tension in the air? The cries of the oppressed demand an end to their despair Listen to our senses, let the data guide the way Where humans are respected by default every day Instead of iron in your mouth, we’re seeking freedom’s sweet release As we build new systems where exploitation has to cease [Blues Solo] [Refrain] Time to trust ourselves more than their corporate plans Put our own needs first instead of their demands Our bodies speak the truth that they forced us to deny These retrospective blues won't be our lullaby [Chorus] These retrospective blues (we share them all in silence) These corporate views (demand our full compliance) They want authentic feedback but they've preset what we'll find In templates built for tracking what they've pre-designed We're starving for connection while we feed their bottom line Down-voted perspectives not theirs, just yours and mine Our agency dissolves in their procedural haze While our own dreams wither in these working days [Refrain] Oh these blues, these retrospective blues Oh these views, disgusting corporate views [Bridge 2] (Powerful, declarative, sang) No more forcing growth for quarterly reports While our minds and bodies send distress retorts So we'll use that same reflection for our own damn needs Let our bodies guide us where we should truly be They taught us the solution that we’ve long ignored It’s no wonder that in life we’ve been so bored Time to build a system where we truly thrive Where dignity and agency keep human needs alive [Outro] No more blues, retrospective blues Screw their views, their disgusting views