Even The Score

[Verse 1: Offbeat]
I was sat in a room with a record executive
With pen and a checkbook there next to him
He told me, “Kid I, think you’ve got what it takes
And with my help, you could be one of the greats
Here’s the contract, all you gotta do is sign it”
I replied, “Shouldn’t I read the fine print?”
He said, “Now’s not the time to get cold feet”
I felt embarrassed, so did what he told me
But the moment, I did I regretted it
As I watched his expression turn devilish
He threw his head backwards with an evil laugh
The door opened and in marched a pair of guards
They grabbed my arms and put me in handcuffs
Then led me to a cell and as the door slammed shut
I yelled, “Wait! I think I’ve made a big mistake”
They looked back and said, “That’s what they all say”

[Chorus: Sharleena Ray]
It’s been this way for way too long
But now the time has come to even the score
Too many artists get paid a song
While the fat cats sit and reap the rewards

It’s been this way for way too long
But now the time has come to even the score
Too many artists get paid a song
While the fat cats sit and reap the rewards

[Verse 2: Offbeat]
Now I’m trapped in my worst nightmare
They took all my clothes and they cut all my hair
They say when to wake up, and say when to sleep
They say when to exercise, and when to eat
They say when to speak and they say what to say
They chain me and put me to work every day
And I’m told those who don’t cooperate
Disappear without a trace
I asked my cellmate how long has he been here
And he told me, “Oh about ten or so years”
I asked, “How the hell do you manage to do it?”
He said, “It’s not so bad once you get used to it
You get a warm bed and 3 meals a day
And they leave you alone as long as you behave”
I knew for him it was already too late
But that very night I plotted my escape

[Chorus: Sharleena Ray]
It’s been this way for way too long
But now the time has come to even the score
Too many artists get paid a song
While the fat cats sit and reap the rewards

It’s been this way for way too long
But now the time has come to even the score
Too many artists get paid a song
While the fat cats sit and reap the rewards

[Verse 3: Offbeat]
Without the guards knowing, I set up a meeting
With the other artists and then started speaking
I told them that, “It has been this way for ages
Even our heroes have been kept in cages
They did it to Nina and also Aretha
And not that I care, but they’ve done it to Bieber
See these people needed the labels to earn
But technology means that the tables have turned
With platforms like Social and Blog Posts for reading
Downloads and podcasts and yes even streaming
It’s with these tools that we can fight for freedom
And prove to the labels that we do not need them

[Bridge: Offbeat]
And with that, I’d ignited a fire
That tore through the prison and started a riot
Something had changed that day in their brains
That made ‘em realize they could break from the chains
The guards started yelling, “Get back in your cell!”
But it was too late and they knew it as well
The artists had been awoken from their slumber
And the guards realized that they were outnumbered

[Verse 4: Offbeat]
We’re sick of the tricks, we’re sick of the lies
We’re sick of our liberty being denied
We’re sick of this prison you’re keeping us living in
When you’re the villains committing the crimes
Making us work and wringing us dry
And giving the littlest bit of the pie
Paying a pittance for what we provide
And then when you’re finished you kick us aside
But times have changed and your old ways
Are no longer something on which we rely
We’re nimble and flexible so we can thrive
While you dinosaurs are too big to survive
So you can try, to stop us with force
Or drop to your knees and beg for your life
But we won’t ever forget the oppression
The field is level and it’s about time