21st Century Blues
from Feels Like Home by Pickin' Pear
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about
21st Century Blues
lyrics
21st Century Blues (Elam)
Left my own old home, just a banjo on my back.
Looking forward – God knows I ain’t looking back.
Debt, lies, and sorrow. I left it all behind.
The open road my friend with freedom on my mind.
Gave my best shot at that corporate city life.
Big wigs and know-it-alls together in strife.
I make my living now pickin’ for your spare dimes.
Singing old show tunes in off-key broken rhymes.
In these modern times, what matters most
is this war between the have-mores and have-nots.
Elections bought and sold, lies in place of news,
money buys the truth – twenty-first-century blues.
We are remnants of our country’s next great war.
We pray the end is near in fear of what’s in store.
Smarter men than me will have to join this fight,
fix this class war, and stand up for what’s right.
Some say I walked away, say he’s begging on the street.
I’m just a testimony that this system can be beat.
Depending only on my faith in humanity,
I sing these songs with hope and sleep happily.
Left my own old home, just a banjo on my back.
Looking forward – God knows I ain’t looking back.
Debt, lies, and sorrow. I left it all behind.
The open road my friend with freedom on my mind.
Gave my best shot at that corporate city life.
Big wigs and know-it-alls together in strife.
I make my living now pickin’ for your spare dimes.
Singing old show tunes in off-key broken rhymes.
In these modern times, what matters most
is this war between the have-mores and have-nots.
Elections bought and sold, lies in place of news,
money buys the truth – twenty-first-century blues.
We are remnants of our country’s next great war.
We pray the end is near in fear of what’s in store.
Smarter men than me will have to join this fight,
fix this class war, and stand up for what’s right.
Some say I walked away, say he’s begging on the street.
I’m just a testimony that this system can be beat.
Depending only on my faith in humanity,
I sing these songs with hope and sleep happily.
credits
from Feels Like Home,
track released May 3, 2019
Pickin’ Pear:
Leon Elam - Banjo & Vocals
Tia Martini - Ukulele
Also Featuring:
Matt Wolff - Bass
Robert Jennings - Drums
Lane Gibson - Vocals
Recorded by Sam Taylor at The Cathedral in Cincinnati, OH
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Lane Gibson at
Lane Gibson Studios
Pickin’ Pear:
Leon Elam - Banjo & Vocals
Tia Martini - Ukulele
Also Featuring:
Matt Wolff - Bass
Robert Jennings - Drums
Lane Gibson - Vocals
Recorded by Sam Taylor at The Cathedral in Cincinnati, OH
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Lane Gibson at
Lane Gibson Studios
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Pickin' Pear
Tia Martini and Leon Elam create an original modern sound on two traditional instruments. Together the Pickin’ Pear take the banjo and ukulele down the road of folk, rock, and bluegrass. Sometimes the ukulele will launch you straight into outer space! A blend of top-notch songwriting and improvisational jamming makes each performance exciting and new. ... more
shows
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Apr 20Clear Lake, IA
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Apr 26Livingston, MT
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Apr 27Livingston, MT
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May 4Coeur D'Alene, ID
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May 11Hood River, OR
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May 11The Dalles, OR
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May 17Eugene, OR
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May 18Cottage Grove, OR
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May 24Crescent City, CA
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May 25Weaverville, CA
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May 26Klamath Falls, OR
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May 31Forest Grove, OR
discography
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May 2022 -
May 2019
contact / help
Pickin' Pear recommends:
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In The Woods
by Canyon CollectedCanyon Collected is the full band project featuring Tia and Leon from Pickin' Pear
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Barnyard Space Program
by Danny BarnesDanny Barnes is a banjo legend. Check him out!
go to album -
Only Good Times
by Desperate ElectricThese are some amazing folks. We love them. We hope you do too!
go to album
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by Half DreamHeartland indie rock that’s like Angel Olsen at her fuzziest fronting a gnarlier Mazzy Star.
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