Gimme All You Got (feat. Pinstripe Hourglass, Amelia Blank, Stella)

from Pastel Hand Grenade by Max Knightley

/

about

I think this was the first song on the album that I ever really conceptualized? It was definitely one of the earlier ones. It ended up being the last one I finished, though, largely because of wrangling vocalists — I actually only wrapped it up the night before releasing the album.

I think this is probably the most... eclectic song on the album? But, hell, that's part of what (for me) makes it feel like the most "genuinely punk" song on the album. I'm happy with it.

lyrics

I had some interviews,
I had some interviews!
Got me a brand new suit and polished up my fancy shoes!
I thought that they went well,
thought they went pretty well,
nineteen weeks later they call back to tell me "go to hell!"

Feebly claim they're more than just a check
(I'm honored and impressed, you're the best at -- what is it that you do?)
Oozing schmooze and spewing mindless dreck
(I am so confident hard-working and so happy and so)
Starting to become a nervous wreck
(Please just one offer man, I gotta fill my coffer man)
'Cause it feels like everybody's breathing down my neck

"Gimme all you got," they say
"Gimme all you got"
They won't settle, won't take one ounce less
"Grind you to the bone,
squeeze the blood out of your stones
Do you want to just get by or are you aiming to impress?"

I got an office job!
I got an office job!
Ain't much, but hey, at least I feel less like a lazy slob!
Put forty hours in
Put fifty hours in?!
I get no overtime, just gotta take it on the chin

Pays a-bout four hun-dred bucks a week
(That good? That bad or is it good or is it)
Go to meetings, never get to speak
(Of course I could, if I wanted to get fired)
And when I'm checking out on Friday night
(Open my car, bring it home then run straight to the bar)
Boss pulls me to the side and in five words he steals my light

"Gimme all you got," they say
"Gimme all you got"
They won't settle, won't take one ounce less
"Grind you to the bone,
squeeze the blood out of your stones
Do you want to just get by or are you aiming to impress?"

VERSE 3
I got promoted now!
I got promoted now!
I guess the bosses think I'm gonna be devoted now!
New title and a raise
A one percent raise!
Talk about being damned by faint praise!

Wondering why I am even here
(Could be most anywhere but here, could be most anywhere)
Wasting all my finest youthful years
(They promised me one day that I'd do things that matter, matter)
Claiming I'm advancing my career
(I'm on a treadmill going nowhere so it blows, man)
Manager stops by and once again he makes it clear:

"Gimme all you got," they say
"Gimme all you got"
They won't settle, won't take one ounce less
"Grind you to the bone,
squeeze the blood out of your stones
Do you want to just get by or are you aiming to impress?"

BRIDGE
All I want's the right to fucking live
Without giving more than I can give
The minimum is excellence
And so I'm left directionless
because my best's just "fine" and that ain't something they'll forgive!

VERSE 4
I got a molotov! (SAY WHAT?)
Mixed up some molotovs! (OKAY!)
I'll burn it to the ground and maybe then they'll call it off!
This ain't my style, aye
so with a smile, I
light up a beacon that they'll see around for miles! And

Soon the cops are comin' down my way
(Got too excited in deciding to ignite it)
At the courthouse I don't even play
(They saw me there, ashes blowing through my hair)
Least in jail I'll get three meals a day
(Plus my own bed, and a roof over my roof over my)
But when I get there here's what the warden has to say

"Gimme all you got," he says,
"Gimme all you got
Those license plates ain't gonna press themselves
Got chairs to build, got mouths to feed
No breaks until you break and bleed
That dime-an-hour labor's gotta fill those great big shelves"

"Gimme all you got," he says,
"Gimme all you got"
Guess I got myself in quite the scrape
They'll grind me to the bone, and
squeeze the blood out of my stones
Guess I'm a fool to think I could escape!

credits

from Pastel Hand Grenade, released November 17, 2016
Lead vocals courtesy of Pinstripe Hourglass at pinstripehourglass.tumblr.com.
Fred Schneider-esque backup by Amelia Blank at millyblank.tumblr.com.
"Customer Service Voice" backup by Stella at obstinaterixatrix.tumblr.com.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Max Knightley image

Max Knightley Chicago, Illinois

Trans lesbian who makes punk, electronica, and music for video games. Stay angry, but keep your eyes open to the beauty of the world.

contact / help

Contact Max Knightley

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Max Knightley, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now