FAWM: "Wallet Kids"

Wallet Kids

Liner Notes

I started to write a batch of songs on an unplugged electric guitar last fall. I was able to play a lot more freely across the neck vs an acoustic, and because I didn't plug it in I didn't have to obsess over guitar sounds. I had two rules I was trying to stick to, it had to be fun to play and it had to be something I would want to play standing up. I always loved the idea of kids...the ones that get talked about around the office.

UPDATE: I love songs that don’t pay off immediately and try not to be super direct when writing songs. But spoiler alert:

This song is about inventing a family in order to get more time off of work.

Lyrics

Every year we take a family trip We pack it up and head down south Carla reads to little Boo in the back And you ride by my side Don’t need to fake it I’m glad we survived Mother of my kids and friends on the side

God knows we’ve seen it all A little trouble but we handle it well The premie ward and surgeries from hell And I don’t know who’s to say Little out of focus the cameras that way Guess they live to see another day

I love a vacation full of rest Some extra days when feeling stressed Whenever I start to lose my mind Those wallet kids come through every time

Said they’re so cute you’re such a good dad Cool how you show up I know it must be hard With Josie there and you alone back here Cool that Dan let’s you take off I got no family and I’d rather punch the clock I really shouldn’t watch more Survivor again

What am I supposed to do if they try to take them away from me I couldn’t live without paid vacations and stays

I love a weekend full of rest Some extra days when feeling stressed Whenever I start to lose my mind Those wallet kids come through every time

My wallet kids come through every time

#rock #singersongwriter #humor #indie

Comments

@billwhite51 1w

i like your unplugged electric guitar and the vignettes about the dad and the kids are entertaining, but i dont know what wallet kids are, and i cant find any mention of them on google. i love the phrase, but want to know what it means.

@toddnorem 1w

Thanks for listening. I should have explained this more, but I tend to like songs that take a couple of listens to get. The song is about inventing a family and a backstory when you start a new job to get more time off. That could mean putting pictures of random kids on your desk. Or pulling out your wallet to show pictures of your “kids.” Working in a field (advertising) where long hours and working weekends are the norm, I’ve thought about doing this several times.

@joefahey 1w

It’s so great to hear you playing electric guitar and I like your rules that you set for yourself about writing songs that are fun to play and play standing up. Good plan, I like it. This song was such an unexpected twist, not something I would expect. But then I saw your note to teaspoon that it’s about a guy who invented a family of wallet kids to get longer vacations and avoid weekend work. That made me laugh, there’s so much there having experienced being on both sides of the wallet kids situations. The chords to the song are really great and cool and I like how they shift into different progressions, making it a fun ride. Nice one Todd!

@tspoon 1w

This is a real surprise one from you. Who doesn't love a vacation full of rest? You really captured a sentiment of the family man looking back of vacations with kids. I know you don't have kids, but you really nailed it. I get the idea of wallet kids; I inferred your meaning of colleagues showing pics of kids in their wallets? l love the up beat guitar and how your vocals go up on the refrain. Well done.

@toddnorem 1w

I wanted this song to be somewhat open to interpretation, but it’s really about a guy who invents a family so he can get more vacations and get out of working weekends easier by showing his “kids.”