About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
Soft Laid Off lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
Another Monday, same muted screen Calendar invite at ten-fifteen No agenda, just “quick sync” Feels like the end before it begins
Verse 1
Emails thinning out, no more CCs Tasks vanishing like they never were me Team Slack goes quiet when I drop in The ones who knew me don’t say a thing Zoom background still the same old shelf But the invites stopped coming by themselves I hit send, no reply for days Like the system’s decided it’s time to fade
Pre-chorus
Quietly changed, no memo, no trace Just the slow erase in this corporate space
Chorus
Soft laid off, they sliding me out No pink slip, just the silent route Mute the mic, turn the camera down Soft laid off, but I’m turning around
Verse 2
“Quick chat” in the subject line Manager’s voice all sugar and shine “Team restructure,” “budget align” Words like knives but they smile the whole time HR email, “let’s discuss your role” But the tone says you’re already on parole Laptop return form attached in bold Feels like the credits rolled before I was told
Pre-chorus
Quietly changed, no memo, no trace Just the slow erase in this corporate space
Chorus
Soft laid off, they sliding me out No pink slip, just the silent route Mute the mic, turn the camera down Soft laid off, but I’m turning around
Verse 3
Late nights, canceled plans, passed-up creative shots Loyalty that never paid back what it cost Health costs climbing, rent jump every year Social feeds full of performative cheer I gave the best hours, skipped the side hustle dreams Now the inbox is empty and the silence screams Student loans still whispering in the dark While the calendar mocks me with its empty heart
Bridge
Was it ever about the work or just the seat I filled? Now I’m staring at the box and wondering what I built
Verse 4
Stop waiting for validation, inventory what I know Turn the hobby into invoices, watch the freelance grow Reach for communities that trade useful code and tips Not the corporate theater with its scripted scripts One client, then another, multiple income streams Boundaries drawn in pen instead of broken dreams No more muted cameras, no more fake “quick sync” I’m the one who sets the calendar now, I think
Verse 5
Rent still due but the pressure feels lighter Health costs covered by the side funnel tighter No corner office, just a desk that I own Woke up to freedom instead of the unknown Still got scars from the quiet fade-out days But the skills I kept are the ones that pay Not fantasy wealth, just better ground beneath my feet Soft laid off taught me how to own the street
Chorus
Soft laid off, they sliding me out No pink slip, just the silent route Mute the mic, turn the camera down Soft laid off, but I’m turning around
Outro
Calendar’s mine now No more quick sync Soft laid off But I’m not extinct
Inside the recording
Another Monday, same muted screen Calendar invite at ten-fifteen
Quietly changed, no memo, no trace Just the slow erase in this corporate space
Calendar’s mine now No more quick sync
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.