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about

"Speaking Truth to Power" is yet another in my never ending series of workplace songs. Written around about 2002, for a particularly unsavory boss—who shall only go by the name "Clunt"—if you've ever loved to hate that guy in the corner office, well, you can tell everybody: this is your song.

The phrase, "speaking truth to power" gets thrown around a lot in politics and business sometimes, but not like I'd like it to be: right between the eyes! And, to paraphrase what has often been said about the Lumberger character in "Office Space," if you've never had a boss like the one in this song, you probably ARE the boss in this song.

The original lyric seed was much wordier and scathing. I cut it down quite a bit in 2006 as I fit it to the tune for the soundtrack. Sounds a little menacing in its final form: will the employees conspire to murder?

Let's hope not. After all, "people are our greatest asset!"

lyrics

"Speaking Truth to Power" [vonHummer]

You’re a corner office occupying idiot
consuming company resources
all out of proportion to your usefulness,
and you act as if yeah you act as if
man you act as if you do everything ‘round here…
You’re a callow calculating figurehead,
counting all kinds of people and things excremental
but never the shit you yourself produce,
and you act as if yeah you act as if
man you act as if you do everything yourself…
You can make a concerned call or two,
make the meetings many yes you do,
Talking out of both sides of your mouth
while simultaneously kissing
the planetary asses above you…
It’s impossible to underestimate you,
You have no idea how much we all hate you,
and you act as if, yeah you act as if,
hey you act as if somehow we need you around…

credits

from B​ü​biwulf! Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, released October 17, 2007
Vocals: vonHummer
Mutated bass: vonHummer
High guitar: vonHummer
Standard bass: Syd O' Nimm
Drums: vonHummer

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vonHummer Portland, Oregon

vonHummer is a Portland music/cable access legend whose career spanned from Fall of 2001 to Fall of 2011, during which he recorded a hundred or so songs for use in his absurdist show (and feature film) and played only a handful of concerts. Currently retired, his work shines on for the ages. Or will he someday return...? ... more

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