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First World Blues

from Looking Like The Real Thing by Neil Porter

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about

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" 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!

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, with Jan on harmony vocal.

Artwork modified from a work by Anja Gudic - check out her stuff here: agillustration.tumblr.com

lyrics

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

credits

from Looking Like The Real Thing, released January 1, 2017
Neil Porter - vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion, drum programming, production
Jan Porter - background vocal

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Neil Porter Pambula Beach, Australia

Singer songwriter from Pambula Beach in Australia.

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