Missing Rung

Lyrics

[Intro] [Instrumental] [Verse 1] They said, “Just shake a hand, get your foot inside” I’ve got my coat on and the door in sight A stack of forms and a borrowed tie One more room full of folks I can’t abide I learn the ladder’s got a missing rung And every favor comes with strings attached I’d rather take the stairs till my legs give out Than laugh at a joke I don’t even like [Pre-Chorus] They call it a network, I call it a queue Every door needs a name that somebody knew I want the keys, not the dinner invite I want the work, not the handshake twice [Verse 2] The rent went up, so I took the night shift The boss said, “Smile more, you’ll get noticed” I kept my head down, did the job clean Still got passed by the guy who sells a dream My sister says, “You can’t do it alone” I say, “Watch me carry this box up the stairs” A degree in a drawer, a bill on the fridge And a calendar full of rooms I won’t share [Pre-Chorus] They call it a network, I call it a queue Every door needs a name that somebody knew I want the keys, not the dinner invite I want the work, not the handshake twice [Chorus] This shit is impossible! Climb one step, they move the wall This shit is impossible! I won’t kiss a ring to make that call I want a little room, a decent wage A door that opens without a stage This shit is impossible! But I’m still here, and I’m not done [Verse 3] I know the landlord’s nephew got the place The interview was over before my name They want a friendly face, a drinking buddy I want the posted job and the posted pay I’m not a project for their little club I’m not a fan of the people upstairs So I keep showing up with my sleeves rolled high And let the work speak louder than theirs [Pre-Chorus] They call it a network, I call it a queue Every door needs a name that somebody knew I want the keys, not the dinner invite I want the work, not the handshake twice [Chorus] This shit is impossible! Climb one step, they move the wall This shit is impossible! I won’t kiss a ring to make that call I want a little room, a decent wage A door that opens without a stage This shit is impossible! But I’m still here, and I’m not done [Guitar Solo] [Instrumental] [Bridge] Maybe I hate the game, maybe I hate the crowd Maybe the rules were written for the loud But I can build a life with my own two hands No secret handshake, no promised land [Breakdown] No glad-handing! No fake friends! No “know a guy” to make it in! [Pre-Chorus] They call it a network, I call it a queue Every door needs a name that somebody knew I want the keys, not the dinner invite I want the work, not the handshake twice [Double Chorus] This shit is impossible! Climb one step, they move the wall This shit is impossible! I won’t kiss a ring to make that call I want a little room, a decent wage A door that opens without a stage This shit is impossible! But I’m still here, and I’m not done This shit is impossible! Climb one step, they move the wall This shit is impossible! I won’t kiss a ring to make that call I want a little room, a decent wage A door that opens without a stage This shit is impossible! I’m still here—and I’m not done! [Outro] Not done! Not done! [Instrumental]