We had the chance to sit down with Dan Stepp of Hard Luck Society to ask him about the story behind the first single of their new album. Just For A Dollar is a barn-burner if ever there was one, but, lyrically, it speaks at a deeper level than bluegrass audiences may be accustomed to; a pleasant surprise. Here’s what Dan had to say about the song.
“A few years back my brother got me a book on the art of the Wobblies. Full of posters and slogans, in addition to all the great songs the movement created, I was hooked. I’ve also always dug Woody Guthrie, and the power of his music to uncover something.”
I think hearing all those classic labor songs, and looking at all the imagery around the IWW, cataloged some of those themes in my consciousness. I think about my grandad who worked his entire life at job in a steel mill in Pittsburg, and everyone trying to get somewhere in life by way of the next paycheck.
“Just For A Dollar” examines the struggles of just working, and the indignity labor often brings. What happens in the pursuit of money, and what moral compromises may it require?
The mechanisms of “the dollar” elevate power for some, create challenges to survive for others, but for everyone it’s a cosmic crisis of purpose and authentic meaning.
This is the first track on our album and it opens what I am clumsily calling a concept album: “By Our Own Toil” Exploring themes of labor, love, belief, and significance, these 17 tracks were a ton of fun to make. Getting to play with all these amazing musicians was a great privilege.
Musically, “Just For A Dollar” is a barnstormer of a bluegrass song. There’s folks playing tunes a lot faster than this, but for me, this song is the upper limit of my speedometer. Thanks to all the awesome players on this number for keeping the train on track: Benny, Joey, Christian, Jake, and Matt, and Hannah for the punching harmonies.