Music + lyrics by Peter King
3:22 | :30 soundbite
This song is an ode to the pleasures and privations of the artistic life, and to the notion that those who live it are, on some level, tougher than nails. The song came to me in one of those epiphanies I wish I got more often, where the outline of each verse — the plot, if you will — showed itself almost in a flash of light. The song’s narrator is a sort of existential figure, not unlike a character in a Western — a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.
The three verses cover the past, present and future, respectively. The music is obviously blues-tinged, but with a couple of odd chord changes. It reminds me a little of Mose Allison:
Just before my poor daddy passed away
He said, “Listen up, son, I got one last thing to say
I'm goin’ down swingin’
I'm goin’ down swingin’
I'm goin’ down swingin’
And I'm havin' the time of my life”
Now I'm all grown up and travelin’ down a one-way street
Can’t see an exit but the ride is sweet
I'm goin’ down swingin’
I'm goin’ down swingin’
I'm goin’ down swingin’
And I’m havin’ the time of my life
Bridge:
Hit me once, I keep on comin’
Hit me twice, I'm still strummin’
Nice to meet you, but I'm runnin’ late
Got a gig tonight, pays 50 bucks, halfway across the state
I'm goin’ down swingin’
I'm goin’ down singin’
I'm goin’ down swingin’
And I’m havin’ the time of my life