Story Behind The Song
Interestingly, the Republican party attempted to run on a "family value" platform in '92. I thought it was - well - I won't go there. Anyway, one Saturday afternoon a couple years later, I was a bit sad becuase I had visited my ailing grandfather who had a successful business in my small hometown. I felt like there was no chance for me to do that unless I was already wealthy and could afford a franchise.
Song Description
The first verse deals with the fact that the big corporation is forcing his Dad to retire before his time. The second is about a couple who works their butts off to build their little restaurant only to see a "multimillion dollar chain" (take your pick) building across the street. The singer feels that these things keep a common man from starting his own business and living the American dream of independent success.
| Song Length |
4:00 |
Genre |
Country - Contemporary, Folk - Country |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Annoyed |
Subject |
Capitalism, Sadness |
| Similar Artists |
Timbuk 3 |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1990 - 1999 |
| |
Lyrics
Family?s Value
(also recorded as ?My Family?s Value?)
Words by Wendell Hall
1. Mom and Dad my have to sell and move from the house we all grew up in.
He won?t be fired but maybe forced to retire from the place he worked 30 years with.
The company?s cutting their costs, trying to shave their losses; I can see their point of view.
But there?s a fallacy, in their policy, they didn?t care what my family?s going to do.
2. My friend and his wife had opened a café, catering to the people in town.
All of their savings, lots of sweat and tears; the business was coming around.
But when the profits were in and it was their time to win, they?re about to realize their dream.
A national chain with a million dollar name starts to build across the street.
Chorus
So who decides a price for you and me?
Most common people (are) going hand to hand with all the powers that be.
With everything we try to do we?re fighting millions in revenue.
Tell me who decides my family?s value.
3. I close the windows and doors and walk the floor, I cuss, and I cry, and I pray.
What does the future hold if I have no control over one ounce of my destiny.
I think of lessons I?ve learned and all the work I?ve done, all the good and bad I?ve seen.
My future?s on hold, some lies have been told, we?ve been denied the American dream.
Original Copyright and Published by TWO KEYS MUSIC (ascap) in 1994