Words & Music by Mike Power

I downloaded the first album by The Jam, “In The City,” a couple of weeks ago. I’d never heard it before but it sounded like the kind of thing I’d like, and it is. On my way to work last week “Away From The Numbers” came up on my iPod and stopped me in my tracks. I had to listen to it again as soon as it ended. Then I had to learn how to play it myself.

I’ve been working in finance positions for decades and there hasn’t been a second in all those years that I haven’t been disgusted with myself for undertaking such meaningless labor. My thinking has been that I would find the work so revolting I’d have no alternative but to become a professional artist. It hasn’t quite worked out as planned but as far as I’ve been able to determine I’m not dead yet. I try to ignore the stench.

I think of this song as the anthem for bookkeepers, accountants, controllers, and the rest of us fiscal misfits. It turns out I recorded it a lot faster than The Jam’s version but then I didn’t have Rick Buckler’s drums to keep me in line.

Things are getting just too cozy for me
I’m not seeing people as they see me
I’m gonna break away and gain control
You free your mind, you free your soul

I was the type who knocked at old men (history’s easy)
Who together at tables sit and drink beer (somewhere is really)
Then I saw that I was really the same
So this link’s breaking away from the chain

Away from the numbers
Away from the numbers
Is where I’m gonna be

Away from the numbers
Away from the numbers
Is where I am free

I was sick and tired of my little niche
I’m gonna break away and find what life is