World Premiere of My Song What’s Your Excuse?

Hello again, I hope you are doing well today. I’m sharing this post because I want as many people as possible to benefit from the experiences and life lessons I share in my latest song.

You could say I’ve been writing this song my whole life. Because everything I sing about in this song is part of my life. And today the whole thing is finally out in the world, all six verses, sung the only way I know how to sing it, which is acapella and with no editing.

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About The Song

What’s Your Excuse? tells my story in order.

It starts with growing up in the family carnival where I started working on the midway at an early age.

It follows me from building my first website in 2007, writing a book because someone dared me to, and winning the Amtrak writer in residence prize.

It covers a solo trip to New York City, a singing voice I spent years hiding, a podcast I never wanted, and an accessibility career I resisted until the world wouldn’t let me say no.

I sing the verses in a kind of old blues style, closer to talking than singing. Then the chorus comes in straight and asks the question I have inspired others to ask themselves.

Why I wrote it

Well, I had just finished writing my first original song titled If You Don’t ask. I was feeling pretty good about myself, but I had no plans to write any additional songs.

Then my friend and editor Lorraine Reguly, owner at www.wordingwell.com called me up with an idea for another song.

She asked if I had ever thought of doing something with What’s Your Excuse. At this time that saying influenced by my online friends and followers had stuck. To the point it became the name of my first podcast. I hadn’t been thinking about another song, so my answer was no.

For those who don’t know people started saying “if Max can do it, then what’s my excuse?” I accepted it, and flipped it to if I can do it, what’s your excuse.

To me a big part of the song is that I don’t believe I’m unique. I believe that if this blind, formerly fat, carnie kid from East Texas can do things; then anyone can. They just have to decide to find solutions to overcome the excuses holding them back.

Lorraine dared me to write this song. And while there are some things I absolutely won’t do; I find it hard to pass on a challenge. Especially when it comes from a trusted friend like her.

The lyrics

Verse 1
Born a carney kid and proud of it.
Worked the cotton candy stand by age six.
Worked weekends, summers, then full time.
Duck pond, bookin dates, setting up rides.
When dad died, our show closed down.
We weren’t ready to run it without.
Couldn’t just do nothin needed something new.
And selling used rides was all I knew.

Chorus
If I can do it, what’s your excuse?
What’s holding you back, what’s stopping you?
Go on and do it, what’s there to lose?
If I can do it, what’s your excuse?

Verse 2
Built my first site in 2007.
before Facebook, Word Press, wifi, even.
Teaching myself to code was my only option.
Got good enough to make it function.
Chose my colors cause they sounded right.
How could I know they’d be way too bright.
Could have thought oh no I have to quit.
But I sold lots of rides because of it.

Verse 3
Wrote a book cause someone dared me to.
Had to be coaxed to publish it too.
Then I heard about the amtrak prize.
Knew they’d say no, but still applied.
Won a crazy trip to NYC.
Solo cause no one would go with me.
Went ice skating and checked out broadway.
Shopped in time square and rode the subway.

Verse 4
People used to make fun of my singing.
School choir even told me to lip sync.
Kept singing cause I really loved it.
Singing to myself hiding my gift.
Then I needed an intro so thought why not.
Then I sang in church and after dream con.
Now I’m a singing speaker mixing talks with song.
And this scared singer has written two songs.

Verse 5
Never wanted to have a podcast.
Was real happy being just a guest.
People said I’d be good at it.
Thought maybe if I had a side kick.
Then enter Fred Bye that crazy Canuck.
He said I’ll produce and you just talk.
We got started, he was true to his word.
And now the Blind Blogger’s known around the world.

Verse 6
Gave a talk in Orlando, twenty nineteen.
Where Alex saw something I couldn’t see.
Tried out Podmatch, it just didn’t work.
Volunteered my thoughts then became their expert.
Then AudioEye said they needed me.
Wrote for them then for Architect PHP.
Seems accessibility needed me.
So now I help things work for people like me.

Straight Through, No Edits

I recorded this the way I record everything. I sat down, sang it all the way through, and pressed stop recording when I was done.

Since I don’t edit, a major screw up would have required me to start over.

Glad I was able to make it all the way through the very first time!

Because obviously this song is very long. Having to run through it multiple times would have been a real pain.

What has you stuck?

If this song moved you, please share it with someone who could use some encouragement. And if you’re working through something right now, something that has you stuck or waiting for the right moment, leave a comment and tell me about it. You’re not alone in that, and neither am I.

If you’d like me to perform this song along with the stories behind it at your event, I’d love to talk. You can reach me at my most reliable email address maxwellivey@aol.com

Thanks for listening,
Maxwell