Robert Pollard is perhaps the most prolific songwriter of all time. He's written few better than this song.
A clear workingman's anthem from the Dayton, OH band - that's the middle of the Rust Belt - it starts somewhat calm and controlled in the first verse, but Bob Pollard goes full on yell in the second verse, struggling to exceed the music that has also increased in volume, tempo and desperation. The third verse is a hypercompressed repeat in feel of verses one and two - with something of a greater desperation ending on a more somber note.
Live in Cincinatti in 2016, the contrast between verses is even more pronounced,
What really got me feeling the chills on this song, however, was this version billed as the demo. I heard a version the band recorded for the radio station KCRW, which is quite similar to this one. The desperate emotion in Pollard's voice really shines through with a slightly quieter mix.
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