The "My/Our Manager Ripped Me/Us Off" Songs Thread

How about "our manager is a wild card but we love him anyway" songs: "Captain Lou" by NRBQ

 

Let's just say he hadn't reached a place of acceptance yet.

 

There's Sugarloaf's "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You"...but I guess that's different than getting shafted by a manager. It's not getting a contract .

 

The Captain lived by the "PEG Principle". Politeness, Etiquette, Grooming.

 

Starry Eyes - The Records | Song Info | AllMusic

 

This number by Dutch jokesters Gruppo Sportivo is mostly about mocking Eric Clapton, but the title is certainly on point.

 

Less angry, presenting both sides, is Joni Mitchell

Free Man In Paris

"The way I see it," he said
"You just can't win it...
Everybody's in it for their own gain
You can't please 'em all
There's always somebody calling you down
I do my best
And I do good business
There's a lot of people asking for my time
They're trying to get ahead
They're trying to be a good friend of mine
I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
There was nobody calling me up for favors
And no one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work I've taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song
I deal in dreamers
And telephone screamers
Lately I wonder what I do it for
If l had my way
I'd just walk out those doors
And wander
Down the Champs Elysees
Going cafe to cabaret
Thinking how I'll feel when I find
That very good friend of mine
I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
Nobody was calling me up for favors
No one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work I've taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song.

Read more: Joni Mitchell - Free Man In Paris Lyrics | MetroLyrics

 

Apparently Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.
“You bastards!”

 

Another: Byrds:


So you want to be a rock 'n' roll star?
Then listen now, to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
Then take some time and learn how to play
And with your hair swung right
And your pants too tight, it's gonna be all right
Then it's time to go downtown
Where the agent man, won't let you down
Sell your soul to the company
Who are waiting there, to sell plastic ware
And in a week or two if you make the charts
The girls'll tear you apart
The price you paid for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game? You're a little insane
The money, the game, the public acclaim
Don't forget what you are, you're a rock 'n' roll star

Read more: The Byrds - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star Lyrics | MetroLyrics

 

The Birmingham School of Business School - The Fall (it even features a recording of the former manager's answerphone message, just in case there was any doubt...)

Let me tell you about scientific management
And the theft of its concealment....
Weave a web so magnificent
Disguise in the art of conceit
Give a very firm handshake
And take the bastards for everything that they rate

 

From Graham Parker, the wonderfully cleverly titled `MERCURY POISONING`.



"I`m the best kept secret in the west", That`s a brilliant line!

 

AC-DC - It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)

Gettin' old
Gettin' grey
Gettin' ripped off
Under-paid
Gettin' sold
Second hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band

 

So say goodbye, it’s Independence Day...

I know...but I couldn’t resist...

 

would that be 'captian lou' albano, of cindy lauper video fame? oops- just saw the pic.....yep.

cheers,
rob

 

Oh, I didn't realise that you wrote poetry...
I didn't realise you wrote such bloody awful poetry

 

It might be easier to list the polar opposite of this premise as to the best of my knowledge no artist has ever run their own career from soup to nuts from day one.

 

Kate Bush. David Gilmore discovered her, and she has a former record company employee named Hilary Walker as an assistant, but it's always been Kate and her family that called all the shots.

 

Pete Ham wrote a few in his time after he discovered how Stan screwed him. Hey Mr Manager comes to my mind first.

 

There's also this demo of Beware of Darkness where George sings "beware of ABKCO".



2:24

 

And not content with the above, 10cc followed up with: