“It’s a lot better to make a few less bucks doing something you love, than waste precious time being absolutely miserable.” #artist pic.twitter.com/0QaI8ncF6V

— 5050songs™ (@5050songs) October 28, 2016

What is the story behind “Office Cowboy?” What inspired the lyrics?

Having worked in finance in NYC and seeing passionate, and once vibrant, young people become totally demoralized, burnt out, and stuck doing something they hate, I just always wished they would just say ‘screw it’ and never come back into work.  It is a lot better to make a few less bucks doing something you love, than waste precious time being absolutely miserable.

How long have you been writing songs? Tell us about your musical journey.

This is the first song I have ever written, and I did it on a plane going down to Nashville with my wife.  I have always loved music and loved writing, and when this idea came to me I realized that there is not another song out there really like it, telling this sort of story.  Country music is so much more popular in New York now than it ever has been, and I wanted something that could relate to people up here who love country, but also know a lot about a city work grind.

“Office Cowboy” ©2016 Christopher Mooney/Laetoli Music(ASCAP)

Lyrics:

Verse:
Seemed like a good idea, to make a buck or two,
Put that degree to use, maybe drive a bmw;
Jesse left his roots and family, who knew when he’d be back?
The concrete jungle had him, a matter of time before he’d crack.

Verse:
You better lose that accent, cut that bushy hair,
Pretend you went to Harvard, and push 10,000 shares;
It’s kill or be killed here boy, I thought southerners could hunt,
Make us millions Jesse, or be office coffee grunt.

Chorus:
He’s an office cowboy, fish out of water,
Walkin contradiction, thrown to the city slaughter;
Just kept on smiling though, can’t beat a country boy down,
Knowing that one day soon, he’d be back in his hometown.

Verse:
Got a 3 day weekend coming up, gonna leave the office behind,
No suits or ties to pack, don’t need em down south to look fine,
The bossman’s in the Hamptons, to marry his 5th wife, 
Jesse’s counting down the minutes, til he’s away from this Wall Street Life.

Verse:
Ignoring the constant emails, deleting a hundred texts,
He’s simple living this weekend, nothing too complex;
It’s almost game time baby, tailgating like he used to do, 
His mind is free and easy, only question is 1 whiskey or 2.

Chorus:
He’s an office cowboy, fish out of water,
Walkin contradiction, thrown to the city slaughter;
Just kept on smiling though, can’t beat a country boy down,
Knowing that one day soon, he’d be back in his hometown.

Bridge:
You can’t be happy if you lose your passion,
Money won’t help, you’ll just forget who you are;
Never forget who and what really matters,
Stick to your gut and pickup your guitar.

Verse:
The bossman’s getting angry, Jesse called out sick,
3 days was way to short, went fishing with his ugly stick;
You’re fired if you don’t get back here, this is your last chance,
Jesse said thanks but no thanks, cracked a beer and started to dance.

Verse:
He’ll work for his old man, maybe coach high school ball,
No need to plan too much, ain’t got no worries at all;
Toss those shirts and ties out, replace those loafers with boots,
Jesse’s back where he belongs, he came back to his roots.

Chorus:
He was an office cowboy, now back fishin on the water,
No more contradiction, lock up your pretty daughters;
Still got that smile on though, can’t beat a country boy down,
The day has finally come, he’s back in his hometown.

Chorus:
He was an office cowboy, now back fishin on the water,
No more contradiction, lock up your pretty daughters;
Still got that smile on though, can’t beat a country boy down,
The day has finally come, he’s back in his hometown.