“A farewell of sorts to my brief career as a full-time musician in the 1970s, which was even less glamorous than this song might suggest. Originally recorded in London in the 1980s, but this is a revisit from 2023. The lyric is slightly bowdlerized by request of Ian Semple, so that he could play it on Coast FM, so you could say this is the radio version. It doesn’t change the meaning at all, so I’ll try to remember to sing it this way in future.”
(Note to anyone looking at this post in the Reader or on a phone you may need to visit the actual site to be able to view and listen to the music track)
Lyrics
Ten Percent Blues
Got a seat facing the engine
So I don’t have to face where I’ve been
Luggage on the rack, no reason to look back
At all my wrecked and reckless vagrant dreams
No more bright lights, no more white lines
Or crashing in the back of the van
No more hustling small-time gigs
I guess time has beaten the band
No more deadlines, no more breadlines
Mr 10%, you’re on your own
No more fine print, no more backstage blues
This rolling stone is rolling home
Got a ticket to take me to tomorrow
It can’t be worse than today
So driver, take me home and don’t spare the horsepower
I’m on a ten year holiday
No more missed chances and chickenfeed advances
Cold chips in the back of the van
No more blown tires and fuses, no more broken promises
Time has beaten the band
No more deadlines, no more breadlines
Mr 10%, you’re on your own
No more fine print, no more backstage blues
This rolling stone is rolling home
No more spotlights, no more ups and downers
Absolutely no stage fright
No more superstar fantasies
From today I’m strictly 9-5
No more infighting, no more moonlighting
No more one-night stands
All along while the band was beating time
I guess time was beating the band
No more deadlines, no more breadlines
Mr 10%, you’re on your own
No more fine print, no more backstage blues
This rolling stone is rolling home
credits
Words, music, guitar, resonator guitar and vocal by David A. Harley.
David A. Harley 1949 – 2025
TRAVEL WORDS 
I think most of us have had such realisations come home to roost when we finally understand that we have to move on from whatever it is that’s not working (or not working in its present form). Very sad but also freeing, too.
Making it as a musician is not easy. And he suffered dreadful stage fright too. He obviously loved being involved in the music scene though.
Cold chips in the back of the van- no, ta! Bless him xx
Not sure how much of this is embellished, but getting enough gigs as a professional musician is obviously hard work.
I’m intrigued and impressed by a musical Jude – and whilst commenting here I listened to David’s music at bandcamp- very nice phrasing and lyrics that we can all relate to – the heart of folk music
A musical David. I have no musical talent at all. He was originally into folk music, but has a wide range of styles.
I meant David 😗
Not knowing how to interpret “Mr 10%,” I turned to AI and got this:
“Mr. 10%” is a nickname primarily associated with former Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. It was used to describe allegations that he demanded a 10% commission or bribe to approve government projects or contracts during his political career.
Was David referring to a 10% kickback?
I imagine so. Having to pay commission for arranging gigs. Unfortunately we can’t ask him to explain his lyrics. I should have paid more attention.
These lyrics seem to capture perfectly the tough life of a professional musician who hasn’t quite managed to hit the big time but is just making a living from music. You can sense why he would want to put it behind him while at the same time still feeling regret that he’s doing so.
Yes. I think he just got worn out trying to make a living out of it and doing odd jobs as well.
I suppose you need superhuman amounts of determination to make that sort of career work. Probably more important than the talent!
And a lot of luck!
Indeed!
An ode to the harsh realities of life. Our son in law is a professional musician and while he has been in bands and performed, he makes a living teaching piano.
Jude, did David become a music teacher after his life as a performer?
Not at all. He did lots of things before becoming involved in computer viruses and IT security. His music was learned by ear, he never read music.
A career in IT security would’ve been interesting 🙂
He enjoyed all the research and conferences and writing papers. He’d have suited an academic role. He was extremely intelligent and definitely a workaholic. It was good when he finally retired that he had his music to concentrate on once again. But he never stopped writing.