More of the Same (Same Old 2)
Verse 1
I left home at the age of 19
And moved to the city to follow my dreams
It wasn’t the capital, but was way bigger
Than where I came from that drained people of vigour
I figured I’d work as a Graphic Designer
Til I blew up as a rapper and rhymer
But finding a job was harder than expected
Each time I applied I kept getting rejected
I felt dejected and came close to quitting
But then saw an ad for a freelance position
The pay was amazing, my only complaint
It was out in the country an hour away
I didn’t mind so I sent an application
And to my delight received an invitation
I drove to the little town, as I passed through
I was struck with the feeling of deja vu
I was interviewed by the company owner
A middle aged guy in a chunky pullover
He looked at my work with a smile and a nod
Then gave me a job, right there on the spot
He said that “The role is freelance to begin”
But you can go permanent if you fit in
We’re a family here, as I’m sure you’ll see
Once you start – you probably won’t ever leave
Chorus:
Oh no! I thought that I’d gotten away
Oh no! I see now that wasn’t the case
Oh no! I fear I’ll forever be chased
Oh no oh no, oh no
Oh no! I went to a different place
Oh no! At least with different name
Oh no! But it’s just more of the same
Oh no, oh no, (oh yes!), Oh no!
Verse 2
I started the next day, excited
But quickly realised that the staff were divided
Between the freelance out-of-towners like me
And the permanent guys who all lived locally
I was eating my lunch in the canteen one day
When I got chatting to a freelancer called James
I asked what he thought of the permanent guys
He replied “They’re like zombies, no light in their eyes
No fire in their belly, it’s like they’ve already
Died and are just biding their time til they’re buried
And that is the reason I plan to leave soon
Before the same thing happens to me too”
I thought this was harsh but could see what he meant
They moved slower and even their posture was bent
And then he said something I couldn’t believe
The owner was just 3 years older than me!
A couple months on and the work hadn’t ended
Each time my contract just kept getting extended
Then one morning James came in nervous and fretting
And said that he’d learned that his girlfriend was pregnant
He took on a permanent role that same day
It made sense of course but I couldn’t help say
“Will you become a zombie now you’ve joined the fam?”
He stared blankly and just said “I don’t understand”
Chorus:
Oh no! I thought that I’d gotten away
Oh no! I see now that wasn’t the case
Oh no! I fear I’ll forever be chased
Oh no oh no, oh no
Oh no! I went to a different place
Oh no! At least with different name
Oh no! But it’s just more of the same
Oh no, oh no, (oh yes!), Oh no!
Verse 3
I left around 6 in the evening
Got into my car but saw petrol was needed
There was a small fuel station not far away
So I drove there, filled up and then went in to pay
I handed my card to some grumpy old fogey
Who pointed towards a sign that read “Cash only”
I tried to protest but he said with a frown
“It’s a 10 minute walk to the cashpoint in town”
I sighed with frustration and turned round to leave
And he said “Before that I’ll be needing your keys”
“Anything else?” I demanded to know
“Yeah, be back by 10 because that’s when we close”
“Thanks for the tip” I quipped as I vacated
“But 4 hours time? I should just about make it”
He glared at me silently, shaking his head
As I left and went in the direction he’d said
It was the first time I’d been into the town
Since working there and as I now looked around
I was instantly struck…. just by how much
It reminded me of the one where I grew up
Same type of buildings, same architecture
Same nail salon and same hairdresser
Same butcher, same baker, same delicatessen
Same old people wearing the same glazed expression
Chorus:
Oh no! I thought that I’d gotten away
Oh no! I see now that wasn’t the case
Oh no! I fear I’ll forever be chased
Oh no oh no, oh no
Oh no! I went to a different place
Oh no! At least with different name
Oh no! But it’s just more of the same
Oh no, oh no, (oh yes!), Oh no!
Verse 4
Eventually I found the bank
Took out the cash and then made my way back
I walked for 10 minutes retracing my steps
Then arrived at the same ATM I’d just left? (What the…)
I couldn’t believe that I’d been so absurd
But the second and third time, the same thing occurred
I was starting to panic, so looked for directions
But couldn’t because my phone had no reception
But the worst was still to come because then
I saw that the time now read 10 to 10
It had to be wrong, now way I’d been gone
For that long, then I realised what was going on
This town was alive and was living and breathing
And trying its hardest to stop me from leaving
I thought my hometown was unique but there must be
Places like this all up and down the country
I put my head down and ran til my lungs burned
Ignoring the whispers of which way turn*
I finally broke free and became un-ensnared
And arrived at the shop with one minute to spare
The old man said “I thought you weren’t coming back”
As I paid him and snatched my keys out of his hand
I jumped in my car, and made my departure
And as I left I swore I could hear laughter (Oh no)