First World Blues - new music.

First World Blues:

A few months ago, my friend Graeme and I were discussing something I was really worked up about - "seething" would have been a good word for it.  Graeme can always be relied on to say what he thinks, and he pretty quickly pointed out to me that what I was so angry about was a "first world problem".  

Suitably chastened, I thought a lot about what he'd said and began to realise that a lot of the things we in the "first world" (I think Australia still qualifies) worry about are pretty insignificant compared to others with much less fortunate lives.

"First World Blues" (click to listen) is what I wrote in response.  It's a bit tongue in cheek and the words perhaps a little tangential,  but is meant to make you think a bit about others' circumstances next time you start complaining about your car not starting or your partner walking out.  Things could be MUCH worse!

Musically, I'm playing guitars (3 tracks), bass, keyboards and a little percussion.  Drums are courtesy of Gavin the drummer, who lives downstairs ;). I sang the main vocal and one of the harmonies.  

This was written to take to the PBGB Shed, but as it didn't feel like it needed (or indeed had room for) 10 people playing/singing on it, I decided to do it myself.

This will be on my fifth album - release date is "later in 2016.

Song art is a modification of a reinterpretation of Picasso's "Old Man With Guitar" by Anja Gudic - check her Tumbler site here: http://agillustration.tumblr.com

First World Blues
©2016 Neil Porter

Verse: | Am | A7sus4 | FM7/A | FM7/A |

I’m a modern man
I’ve got modern views
Look at my feet
I’ve got the latest shoes
I drive a fancy car
You should get one too
I’m just a first world man
I’ve got the first world blues

Chorus: | Dm | D7sus/A | Am | Am |

First world blues
Feel like they’re coming tonight
First world blues
I hope I’m doing them right

I help my first world friends
I tend to pick and choose
I’m learning all I can
I’m on the morning news
Can’t seem to do too much
I drink the finest booze
I’m just a first world man
I’ve got the first world blues

First world blues
Feel like they’re coming tonight
First world blues
I hope I’m doing them right

BRIDGE Em Bm Dm Am

I’m running late and my car won’t start
Don’t know what I’m gonna do
My baby left me and she broke my heart
Got first world problems
Got the first world blues

SOLO on verse

First world blues
Feel like they’re coming tonight
First world blues
I hope I’m doing them right

I’m doing all I can
Done all the interviews
I smile and look so neat
Watch all my “p”s and “q”s
My girl’s a beauty queen
You ought to get one too
I’m just a first world man
I’ve got the first world blues

First world blues
Feel like they’re coming tonight
First world blues
I hope I’m doing them right

OUTRO on chorus

First world blues
Feel like they’re coming tonight
First world blues
I hope I’m doing them right