Trash Man
What inspired the song?
I simply walked by a man loading a trash barrel into the trash truck going by one morning. Now, I had observed that kind of scene a thousand times before in my life, and it never inspired me to write about it. So, it’s an interesting question about what inspires a song. John Denver used to say that, “The songs come when they’ve a mind to.” The impulse to write this song when I saw that man was immediate and visceral, and I had the backbone lyrics for it done before my walk was over, about forty-five minutes later. Originally, the song was to be a portrait of this trash man - his background, his family, his hopes, his doubts, his fears, but as I worked on it, a friend asked me great questions about what, more specifically, it was about. She felt it was about becoming obsolete, no longer being necessary in the world, and so I changed the focus of it to that and that became the bigger inspiration.
Is there a significance behind the song title?
It has a double meaning. The trash man takes our trash away, yes, but trash is that which is used up, that for which we no longer have any use, and that’s the reality in the case of this character as well. Robotics is making him obsolete. Those big mechanical arms on the new trash trucks obviate the need for his services.
What is one key point that makes this song unique?
The subject matter. I don't know of another song about the guy who takes our trash away.
Do you have an interesting story about the songwriting or recording process?
As I stated above, the song evolved from a portrait of a trash man and his life and hopes and dreams, to a narrower focus on this man’s impending obsolescence, leaving the listener to imagine its implications. Also, the song did not originally have a chorus. It was just a series of verses. My songwriting coach said she really wanted a chorus, so I had an idea already I wanted to try and it worked.
Favorite lyrics?
“I’m the trash man, trash man. If you see me coming down the street, raise your hand and wave goodbye to me.” That’s the gut-wrenching message of a man who is becoming obsolete."
Core Themes
Exploration of the human condition across all ages and demographics.
What were the certain stylistic/production choices you made and why?
The song is simple and quiet. The arrangement is designed to be a soft background against which the story can be told. So, there’s not a lot of ear candy or ornamentation. We had some very alluring instruments that we ultimately removed because they were making it a little too much about themselves. With these story songs, you have to exercise a lot of restraint, not to create too much of a groove that leads to body movement and foot-taping rather than listening and feeling. In a weird way, you have to be careful that it remains a story, and not a, “song,” so to speak, if that makes sense.
How does this song make you feel?
Human. Sad. Contemplative.
What are three adjectives that you'd use to describe the moods of the song?
Thoughtful, empathetic, grateful.