Confessions

Credits:
Producer - JoJo Nieves
Lyrics - JoJo Nieves
Vocals, Guitar - JoJo Nieves

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Confessions is my take on a modern-day protest song, directly inspired by the bold, unapologetic spirit of 1960s folk artists like Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger. I wanted to capture something raw and authentic, so the recording itself is intentionally minimal, driven simply by a voice and an acoustic guitar.

This track is a direct and honest critique of the excuses we often tell ourselves and each other to justify the horrific things that happen to other people. It takes the timeless energy of protest songs and firmly grounds it in today's social and political landscape. As each verse builds to the repeated refrain, "We're only doing what we have to," I hope it invites listeners to truly contemplate: Are we? Or is there another way forward? It's a song designed to make you think, and perhaps, to act.

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Lyrics

Verse 1:
I just shot a man
With the pistol in my hand
Pulled the trigger
Now he's bleeding on the pavement

I feared for my life
And I exercised my right
To defend myself
So tell his wife and daughter

Chorus 1:
I'm only doing what I have to
I'm only doing what I have to
I'm only doing what I have to
I'm only doing what I have to

Verse 2:
He was just a kid
He couldn't know what he did
When he held you down
And pinned you on the mattress

Don't ruin his career
It's been over 20 years
You're emotional
Did it really even happen?

Chorus 2:
He's only doing what he has to
He's only doing what he has to
He's only doing what he has to
He's only doing what he has to

Bridge:
Please kindly refrain
From saying that you're not the one to blame
When you smile at me
And then proceed
To look the other way
We just look the other way
We just look the other way

Verse 3:
Oh, Jesus, can't You see?
We are overrun with people
They are lazy, they are thieves
And we want none of them

And Jesus, we all know
That You said to love our neighbor
But we think a cage is safer
So we hope You'll understand

Chorus 3:
We're only doing what we have to
We're only doing what we have to
We're only doing what we have to
We're only doing what we have to

Outro:
We're only doing what we have to
We're only doing what we have to
We're only doing what we have to
Please forgive us