JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Creative Challenge Forum Song Challenge #46 Taxes

The goal of our "Song Challenges" is to write songs/lyrics on demand within set parameters. We don't critique each other's songs in this thread (but you can say you like someone's song if you want to.) Please post your original works. If you have already written a song/lyric that fits within the parameters, please feel free to post it.

April 15th the dreaded tax season deadline will be upon us soon, so that will be the theme for this challenge. Use any format you want, just make sure that taxes play a dominant part of the song.

Have fun!

Hi Jean,

I think this year it's April 18th as opposed to the l5th. A few extra days to play with. Here's one I hope you don't find too "taxing". I thought taxes and immediately felt blue so of course this is done in the blues genre.

"Tax Time Blues" (male vocal/blues)needs bluesy melody
(c)2011 Lynn Orloff

I got the blues, I got the blues
Cos it’s tax time and taxes are due
They been takin’ the money right out of my check
Guess it wasn’t enough to make a big dent
Tell me what to do, I got the tax time, the tax time blues

I went to see my accountant
Told him break it to me gently if you would
He took a big gulp and had that ut-oh look
Said sorry man things just don’t look good

I got the blues, I got the blues
Yeah it’s tax time and taxes are due
Thought they got what they needed but now I find out
It wasn’t enough, goodbye bank account
Tell me what to do, I got the tax time, the tax time blues

They can’t keep their paws off my money
Workin’ half of each year just for tax
Ain’t findin’ the IRS funny
Man they just keep on swingin’ their axe

I got the blues, ohhh I got the blues
Happens everytime April's in view
I might be better off if I stay unemployed
But my mama raised a man she dun didn’t raise a boy
But now tell me tell me what to do
Cause I can’t kick em'
I can’t lick em'
Can’t chase them away with a big ole’ fat stick them
Big ole' yeah those big ole tax time bluuuuuuuues!

Well Lynn, I'd say that was pretty well-written. Nobody but nobody likes the tax man. I hope the song doesn't describe your personal situation. Keep 'em coming.

Thanks Dan and no, my personal situation is not that dire thankfully, although we all pay too much in taxes. The power to tax is the power to destroy - Daniel Webster

Hi Jean,

Couldn't resist!



How Much Tax Do I Really Pay

(c) 2011 Geneva Griffin

Verse 1
Jesus is forgiving but the tax man crucifies,
The ax was dropped this weekend when I drank on Friday night,
They take a chop out of tobacco of about three bucks a pack,
The unpopular minority is reaped by the "sin" tax..

Chorus
Federal state and local.. medicare FICA,
Now that's a chunk of pay....
I don't own my property,
I'm told I do, but they fooled me....
Cause I paid off Fanny Mae..
How much Tax do I really pay..

Verse 2
I'd take a short vacation if I had fuel for my RV,
But the government reams me when they tax my gasoline,
I'd opt for a rental car and a stay in a cheap motel
But they'd take a chunk in tourist tax and a bite from my take out meal..

Federal state and local.. medicare FICA,
Now that's a chunk of pay....
I don't own my property,
I'm told I do, but they fooled me....
Cause I paid off Fanny Mae..
How much Tax do I really pay..


Bridge
I spend what's left from my paycheck on basic necessities,
What's that leave for an IRA..
Those writer of the tax code are this countries unmasked thieves,
I see no tax breaks..

Federal state and local.. medicare FICA,
Now that's a chunk of pay....
I don't own my property,
I'm told I do, but they fooled me....
Cause I paid off Fanny Mae..
How much Tax do I really pay..

Tag
My fair share's been ear marked by corruption at it's best..
Corporate power and the IRS
.

Lynn and Geneva, thanks for posting. I hope others are not finding this assignment too taxing.

Listen here... http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

TAX
© words by C. Stewart ( April 3, 2011 )


I can't relax
About the tax
That's put on me and you

They put our cash
In great big sacks
Then hide it from our view

CHORUS....
I wonder what they did with all my green
They sure didn't pave my road
I try not to dwell on it
Or my head will explode

Took my money
That's not funny
Now I'm even sadder

They bought big guns
Cause war is fun to
Watch the bodies splatter

CHORUS....
Look at what they did with all my green
They sure didn't pave my road
I try not to dwell on it
Or my head will explode

All I hear is hill-top chatter
All the fat cats gettin' fatter
I hope they fall off the white house ladder

CHORUS....
Look at what they did with all my green
They sure didn't pave my road
I try not to dwell on it
Or my head will explode

outro...
look at what they did with all my green


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Here's my take on taxes Jean.

Tax me no more.
All rights reserved.

I pay tax on the money I earn.
Clothes I ware, car I drive, phone I use.
I pay tax on the house I live in.
Roads I drive on, parks I play at.
I pay tax if I go out to eat.
wanna wear shoe on my feet.
Or just need a place to sleep.

Tax me once shame on me.
Tax me twice shame on me.
Tax me three, four, ten times.
Shame on you, Shame on you
Tax me no more.
I'm not a revolving door.
Tax me no more.

There's let me see.
Income, sales, property, luxury tax.
Corporate, business, personal estate tax.
Vehicle, gasoline, license, utility tax.
Medicare, marriage, Inheritance tax.
Cigarette, liquor, service, excise tax.
Just to name a few.
,
Tax me once shame on me.
Tax me twice shame on me.
Tax me three, four, ten times.
Shame on you, Shame on you
Tax me no more.
I'm not a revolving door.
Tax me no more.

They say we are not gonna get out alive.
We will still be paying taxes after we die.

Tax me once shame on me.
Tax me twice shame on me.
Tax me three, four, ten times.
Shame on you, Shame on you
Tax me no more.
I'm not a revolving door.
Tax me no more.
Tax me no more.
Tax me no more.

Hell they even have a debt forgiveness tax

Hi,

I don't enjoy paying them, but I just wanted to say I'm enjoying reading everyones Tax Challenge songs, thanks for the entertainment !


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Calvin and Scott, thanks for posting.

Keep them coming, folks. Good stuff!

What can I say you inspired me. This popped out in 5 count em 5 minutes. Honest!

AH! Tax Time
(04.06.11)

Oh…. I…..thought that I’d relax,
since I’m not payin’ any tax.
Not payin’ any taxes this year.
Can’t remember when
the government’s been my friend
but this time it’s them that buys the beer.

Finished filin’ my claim,
glad it’s not the same.
No. This year I’m getting a return.
When things are said and done
I’ll feel like I have won.
Going to have some extra cash to burn.

It’s a kin to winning a small lottery,
the sum is small but that’s really not the point.
It’s getting something back from those block heads.
Who often act like they’ve all just smoked a joint.

Oh….I….thought that I’d relax,
since I’m getting’ somethin’ back.
Not payin’ any taxes this year.
Feels like I have won,
it’s my day in the sun.
Them “leaders” can stick it in their rears.

Can’t remember when
the government’s been my friend
but fair weather friends they come and blow.
It feels like I have won
but when the day is done.
I’m sure that them there folks will get that dough.

Copyright © 2011 by Douglas Murphy

Tax Man Blues
Lyrics by Nathan A. Baker
(c)2011 All Rights Reserved

Deadline is coming
Tax Man's got his calculator
He's crunching on numbers
Like a rogue alligator

Better get to filing,
Better tell him the truth
If you're caught in a lie
He'll fine you

Tax Man... Tax Man...
I've got the Tax Man Blues

Got a call about an audit
After filing on time
Something about my deductions
Troubled his mind

He went over my forms
With a fine tooth comb
Opened up a can of worms
Said my return was wrong

Tax Man... Tax Man...
I've got the Tax Man Blues

He took my new car
He took my fishing boat
My pennies in a jar
My warm winter coat

He took my gold grill
Froze my bank account
Left me with a tax bill
A heart filled with doubt

Tax Man... Tax Man...
I've got the Tax Man Blues

Tax Man... Tax Man...
I've got the Tax Man Blues

(c)2011

Douglas, thanks for posting!

Thanks for posting, Nathan. Sorry about your pennies.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=5526790

Thanks Lynn for telling me about this. The above link is to a song of mine about Canadian taxes. It got played on The Today Show twice.

Ev, how about posting the lyrics to the piece?

Here it is Jean.


TAX PAYERS BLUES.
----------------
I'M SICK OF PAYING TAXES,IT GETS WORST EVERY DAY
I'M SOON GONNA TAKE THE TAXES AND GIVE THEM MY PAY
MIGHT AS WELL GIVE IT ALL TO THEM THEY'LL GET IT ANYWAY
I'M SICK OF PAYING TAXES BUT WHAT CAN I SAY

CHORUS
-------
THERE'S FEDERAL TAX,PROVINCIAL TAX,MUNICIPAL TOO
EVERY TIME YOU TURN AROUND ANOTHER TAX IS DUE
THERE'S INCOME TAX,ENTERTAINMENT TAX,AND TAX ON WHAT YOU BUY
THEY'LL TAX YOU WHEN YOU'RE LIVING,THEY'LL TAX YOU WHEN YOU DIE
-------------------------------------------------------------

IF YOU ARE A DRINKING MAN I TELL YOU IT'S NO JOKE
THEY'LL TAX THE LIQUOR THAT YOU DRINK AND THE CIGARETTES YOU SMOKE
AN EXCISE TAX,A HIDDEN TAX,AND TAXES IN PLAIN VIEW
IF THEY CONTROLLED THE AIR YOU BREATHE,THEY WOULD TAX THAT TOO

REPEAT CHORUS

THERE'S WATER TAX,SCHOOL TAX,AND TAXES ON YOUR PROPERTY
AN IMPORT TAX,AN EXPORT TAX,AND NOW THE GST
A FACTORY TAX,A LUXURY TAX,A TAX ON GASOLINE
THEY'LL TAX YOU EVERY WAY THEY CAN,MAN THOSE GUYS ARE MEAN

REPEAT CHORUS

(C)EVERETT ADAMS1992(NEWSFLASH SOUNDS)

Thanks, Ev! Cool that it got played on the Today show. I remember you talking about it.