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Piece of Shit

by Lauren Balthrop

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about

When I started writing this song, I was just learning how to play in open tunings. It was also the start of the pandemic when everyone was making grand plans for what they were going to do during the lockdown. As people dreamed of writing their masterpieces or baking the perfect loaf of sourdough, I felt anything but inspired. I played Madison Cunningham’s song ‘Something to Believe In’ over and over until I felt I could do it justice. It’s in Open D. I’m in constant awe of her pure talent and seemingly effortless ability to say something so poignant and be groovy as fuck at the same time whilst being so young. At 37, I feel like I’m just coming into my own in many ways. In between takes of working on that song, I started to come up with the guitar part for ‘Piece of Shit’ and I just started singing about how I was feeling about myself at the time. It’s a very vulnerable song about not feeling good about yourself, about feeling like you have to prove your worth to everyone and at the same time knowing that that’s bullshit and it’s all in your head. The snarky first line encompasses the duel between self-rejection and self-acceptance.

lyrics

Why do I feel like a piece of shit all the time?
I have tried time after time to ease my mind
Maybe I’m not cut out for the digital age
Running wild on a hamster wheel locked inside a cage

I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel good
I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel like I could
Do something like a kid
Do something positive
Do something, fucking something

Why do I feel like I’m never really good enough
Why do I have to work so hard to prove my worth
Maybe I’m not meant for the world we’re in
Looking for the edge of nowhere, the circle has no end

I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel good
I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel like I could
Do something like a kid
Do something positive
Do something, fucking something

It’s all in my mind
All in my mind
All in my mind

I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel good
I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel like I could
Do something like a kid
Do something positive
Do something, fucking something

credits

released May 6, 2022
Song produced by Nick Kinsey

Musicians:
Lauren Balthrop - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Nick Kinsey - Drums, Percussion, Electric Bass
James Paul Mitchell - Lapsteel
Ellen Kempner - FX guitar
Jared Samuel - Juno, Mellotron
Isaac Eiger - Synth, Additional Production

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Lauren Balthrop Nashville, Tennessee

Lauren Balthrop, a folk-pop singer songwriter hailing from Nashville, has a crystal-fueled voice. Her second album, THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT, is a collection of 11 songs spanning heartbreak, self-doubt and nostalgia coming later this year. Lauren has found her voice in these songs. Look for it later this year on Olivia Records. ... more

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