The female voice at the end of “Church’s Chicken” is a skilled voiceover artist who also featured in a Popeye’s Chicken commercial. Despite contributing only four words to “Church’s Chicken,” there’s an extended version that I chose not to share due to potential defamation, as it didn’t align with the song’s original objective. However, it does align with my fast-food and restaurant ideology. Feel free to check it out.
My Start at Church’s
I started this song by reminiscing about the summer of ’99. I was just 16, fresh in Little Rock, Arkansas, and itching to get my first job. That’s when I landed at Church’s Chicken, thanks to Trina, the manager. It was a blessing and a half. I started at the Geyer Springs location, and my work-life began.
The Daily Grind at Church’s
I rap, “Cashed my first check, I saved the rest. One damnnear expired.” Emerging from my background of scarcity, Church’s Chicken was more than a job for me; it became a way of life. The “Whip-it, real hard” in the chorus, borrowed from Rick Ross, served as an analogy for preparing mashed potatoes, symbolizing growth. Rapping about the fast-food industry in a genre that often glorifies drug dealing, I quoted the iconic Erykah Badu with, ‘You may laugh ’cause you did not do your math.” It highlights that working in fast food can be as lucrative, if not more, than selling drugs when you calculate the endgame.
The chorus talking about the daily hustle, emphasizing the daily hustle of flipping birds, and serving up those honey-buttered biscuits. The camaraderie, the fast pace, and the satisfaction of serving those crispy chicken pieces — it was all part of the daily grind.
Balancing Work and School
Then I share the struggles of juggling work and school commitments. In 11th grade, Church’s had me on the night shift during weekdays, longer than the law permitted. Those late nights were no joke, but I managed to keep my grades up, even earning a spot on the honor roll. Church’s honed discipline and responsibility, and that’s something I’ll always carry with me.
Lessons from Adversity
But, of course, not everything was smooth sailing. I had some tough times, like a manager accusing me of theft. The track touches on how I stood my ground and even called her out. “I quit but not before calling her a bitch,” I rapped. We’ve all been through moments like these, right? They make us stronger and wiser.
Then the story of “Church’s Chicken,” unfolds further, explores my time working at Little Caesars, enduring a robbery at gunpoint there, and eventually returning to Church’s Chicken.
Reflection and Nostalgia
The song ends with thoughts of closing up Church’s for the night, mopping the floors, and reflecting on the lessons learned. The line “Nobody seen all the troubles I’ve seen. Nobody it seems, well, nobody but me” sums it all up. The hard work, the highs, the lows, and the wisdom gained – it’s all part of the experience.
Final Thoughts
“Church’s Chicken” isn’t just a song; it’s a piece of my life story, and it’s a story that connects with so many of us who’ve worked those early jobs. It signifies a tribute to the past, the struggles, and the lessons learned along the way. So, when you hear “Church’s, gotta love it,” I hope you feel the nostalgia and remember your own unique experiences. Thanks for letting me cook!
Church’s Chicken lyrics
I worked at every location in Little Rock, started on Geyer Springs. I even worked in Pine Bluff down there on Cherry St. Nobody seen all the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody it seems, well, nobody but me.
I remember being in Church’s Chicken in the kitchen washin’ dishes. Coworker bitchin’ “We runnin’ outta chicken.” I’m like “This is Church’s Chicken. How we run out of chicken?” I start recitin’ Bible verses. I guess now we just Churches.
It was 1999, early June, or Late May. I arrived in Little Rock shortly after my 16th birthday. Legal age to get a job. Got one the first place that I stopped. Trina hired me on the spot. She’s the big sister of Cedric Cobbs. And this was way befo’ he helped Brady win that 2nd superbowl. I was quarterbackin’ in kitchen passin’ them honey-buttered buscits, flippin’ birds, and slanging flour for five fifteen an hour. Yea, you may laugh ’cause you did not do your math.
Cashed my first check, I saved the rest. One damnnear expired. Tried to help my mama with bills. She was way too proud. My uncle and cousin said I worked too much. Ta!, let them tell it. They ain’t even have no job. Ain’t buy that jelly they were sellin’. I worked holidays, off-days. Look, I’m from Reed Arkansas. That made me more appreciative ’cause there were no jobs at all. Coworkers got mad. I’d smiled at them constant car pile-ups. On the 1st and 15th, flour was movin’ like powder.
I heard that you be flippin’ birds and servin’ fiends. My first job was Church’s Chicken. I did the same thing. I used to bust the package open, over the square pot. Make sure the water hot. Oh, I don’t care who watched. Watch me. Whip it real hard. Whip it, whip it, real hard. Mashed potatoes with the gravy, that shit drives the fiends crazy. Whip it, real hard. Whip it, whip it, real hard. Fresh out the grease chicken. Don’t forget dem folks biscuits.
Summer came to an end. I had to make a decision: either go back to the country or continue makin’ money. Um, I stayed. Started the 11th graded. Working nightshift on weekdays. And, I had to be off by 9 o’clock. Well, according to one of them labor law. But, who else gon’ help close and wash them greasy ass floors? I worked pass midnight, some school nights. Still made the honor roll. I didn’t want no part-time. When you make the schedule, keep my hours regular.
I was so good with people and money they usually put me on the register. Can’t believe Ms. Pat said I stole $100. After I specifically asked her if I could drop it in the safety box. She counted down my draw. She stole that shit for sure. I proved it then quit. But not before calling her a bitch. Went to work at Little Caesars, making skimmy pizza-pizzas. Standing around folding boxes sho’ll was easier. Well, until I got robbed. Coworker hid in the freezer.
If she wan’t in on it, what she apologize to me fa’? Perfectly-timed robbery. I was on my way to lock the lobby. Dude with a face-bandana jumped the counter. Coworker just darted. It was just us. He put that gun in my face. Aye, I quickly opened the register. By the time I was 18, I’d shift-managed three different restaurants. Sometimes, I wonder if that gun was even real. He ain’t get no crazy bread. I mean, better off taking the crazy bread.
He got ’bout $200 instead. Tried to offer him the coins and the checks. Yes, the checks. Let’s just say, he got pissed and he didn’t won’t that shit. I quit shortly after. Eventually resurfaced back at Church’s. Whatever happens in life, I could always go work there. Every time I see that logo, I get a bit nostalgic. I used to be ashamed of my work history. Now, I’m proud of it.
I heard that you be flippin’ birds and servin’ fiends. My first job was Church’s Chicken.
I did the same thing. I used to bust the package open, over the square pot. Make sure the water hot. Oh, I don’t care who watched. Watch me. Whip it real hard. Whip it, whip it, real hard. Mashed potatoes with the gravy, that shit drives the fiends crazy. Whip it, real hard. Whip it, whip it, real hard. Fresh out the grease chicken. Don’t forget dem folks biscuits.
I locked the doors, mopped the floors, put up the wet floor signs, filtered the stove, went home then closed my eyes. Nobody seen all the troubles I’ve seen. Nobody it seems, well, nobody but me.
“Church’s, gotta love it.”
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