Poor and Obscure
It’s interesting where inspiration comes from. Last evening, I was talking with my pastor about what I (thought I) wanted when I was younger. Like every other kid with a guitar, I was in a band and I looked up to the rock stars of the day. “Yeah,“ I told myself… “Someday I want to be like them – RICH and FAMOUS!”
So here I am, six’ish decades later. I gave up on that dream a long time ago – truthfully, because I could see my chances were better of being struck by lightning. But I’ve also learned a few things in the intervening years. I’ve had more money than I do now, but you know what? It rarely comes without strings attached, and I’m one of those people who really doesn’t like “strings” (unless they’re on my guitars). I like peace and quiet.
I read a little about one of my heroes – Dan Fogelberg – in his wife Jean’s memoir. There was a story about when they were on tour – private jets, first class hotels and all the trappings of success. Dan and Jean were in a hotel restaurant one morning hoping for a quiet morning coffee and Dan was approached by a fan who wanted an autograph on an album. Now, knowing what I know about Dan, he was probably nice to the woman and signed her album, but Jean said he was also aggravated. I mean, come on… he hadn’t even had his morning coffee yet…
That’s a very small picture of what goes along with “success”. Is it worth it? Not to me. I told my pastor “I don’t want that anymore. I don’t want to be rich and famous – I want to be poor and obscure.
Something clicked when I said that – like the phrase was highlighted in color against the background of the rest of the conversation which was in fading grey. Weird. So when I got home, I listened to the muse and whipped together a few silly rhyming lines and contracted Suno to put it to music.
It’s silly, and it’s meant to be, but it’s also how I feel – I’m poor and obscure and happy to be.
Lyrics:
(Yeah… you can keep the limelight.)
Everybody wants the white spotlight,
But I prefer a quiet night,
soak up some sun in my own back yard,
no limo drivers or security guards.
(Modest ambitions!)
So post your success in a YouTube short,
and divide your estate with your exes in court.
I’m poor and obscure, and happy to be,
Got no paparazzi stalking me.
I’m completly unknown, you can probably see,
I can walk down the street in obscurity!
(Yeah, that’s luxury!)
They say success is measured in cash,
the fatter the wallet, the harder the crash
No entourage, no rented cars,
Just me and my out-of-tune guitar.
(Still got charm though!)
If fame came knocking, I’d say “no way,”
I’m happy right where I am today.
No label deals, no golden chains,
Just peaceful and calm running through my veins.
I’m poor and obscure, and that’s just fine,
The world’s too loud — I like my line.
No trending tag, no viral bit,
But I laugh more than I’d like to admit.
(And that’s legit!)
So toast your stars and flashy tours,
I’ll raise my glass to second-hand stores.
No riches, no roar, just peace for sure —
Yeah, I’m poor… and obscure.
(Guess I’ll stay that way.)