
Have you ever spoken to someone you haven’t seen or heard from in a long time and end up reminiscing about all you and them could have been? That is exactly what “What Do You Do for a Living? I Do My Best” is all about. The third track of iamnotshane’s first album of 2024– “Chasing the Wind”– illustrates the one that got away with bittersweet lyrics while its instrumentals are infused with an easy listening and chill vibe. It’s a fun juxtaposition as the song’s overall jovial tone is mirrored against missed chances. “What Do You Do for a Living? I Do My Best” has perfected the art of irony by synthesizing the pain of regret with a rhythm that feels like a breezy summer day.
“What Do You Do for a Living? I Do My Best” is smooth, suave, and light. With a strong rhythmic backbone, the track is threaded with bouncy instrumentals and springy synth– just add the vocals and you’ve got the perfect easy listening song with a compelling narrative. Described as a phone call with that one person who things just didn’t work out with, “What Do You Do for a Living? I Do My Best” has that casual tone that comes with catching up with someone, yet is tinged with a distant nostalgia for something that both of you missed. The lyrics are written in such a way that makes it feel like you’re listening to a conversation with iamnotshane and EMME's back-and-forth vocals. It’s particularly evident during the chorus as the two artists trade lines; EMME sings “What do you do for a living?” to which iamnotshane responds, “I do my best.” EMME does a great job of paralleling iamnotshane’s wistful vocals with an airy voice. “What Do You Do for a Living? I Do My Best” is a really playful take on the “one that got away” concept by coloring it in the context of a conversation, its chill instrumentals a stark contrast to the actual message of the call.
Known for his infectious melodies and distinctive style, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter iamnotshane is a global pop sensation. With over 130 million combined streams of his music and 1.1 million listeners on Spotify, his fanbase was steadily built through his 2016 debut EP “Sad” and his creative original music videos. 2021 saw the release of his debut album “One Less Year Alive” and a US/EU headline tour in the summer of 2022. During this tour, he debuted his single “Maybe My Soulmate Died”, which has now amassed over 97 million streams on Spotify and also earned a #6 placement on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart and #1 on Apple Music’s Breaking Pop. If you enjoyed “What Do You Do for a Living? I Do My Best”, consider checking out the rest of the album and dipping into iamnotshane’s vast discography.
Written By Alexa Leung
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