Autotelic (No Exit Strategy)Founders

[Intro] They ask me about the cap table. They ask me about the liquidity event. They want to know the multiple. I tell ‘em... you’re playing the wrong game. [Verse 1] They see a business, I see a canvas, a life's work They chasing the weekend, I’m chasing the perk Of waking up daily with a burning desire To stack up the wood and to stoke up the fire See, the mercenaries want to flip it and run They count up the cash before the battle is won But I’m a missionary, I’m built for the siege I don't bow to the board, I don't bend the knee To the VC money, the "growth at all costs" Because if you lose your soul, then the margin is lost They ask, "David, when you gonna sell? When you gonna rest?" I say, "Put the microphone on my chest when I’m laid in the vest." [Hook] I don't do it for the pay, I don't do it for the stop I do it for the climb, not the view from the top It’s autotelic, man, the work is the prize I’ll be reading these pages ‘til I close my eyes There is no exit, there is no plan B The only exit strategy is death for me. [Verse 2] Novak on the court, sweat in his eyes The reporter asks, "Why you still chasing the skies?" He says, "I like hitting the ball," yeah, that’s the whole code It ain't about the trophy or the end of the road It’s the act of the doing, the swing of the racket You can keep the accolades, you can keep the green jacket Steve Jobs in the chair, body failing and weak Still obsessed with the product, still reaching the peak Because if you love it, they can't pay you to quit There ain't enough money in the mint for this [ __ ] You think I’m gonna cash out and go sit on a beach? I’d rather die right here, practicing what I preach. [Hook] I don't do it for the pay, I don't do it for the stop I do it for the climb, not the view from the top It’s autotelic, man, the work is the prize I’ll be reading these pages ‘til I close my eyes There is no exit, there is no plan B The only exit strategy is death for me. [Bridge] So when the time comes, and the lights go low And I’ve recorded the very last episode Don't look for a merger, don't look for a sale Just know that I hammered the very last nail With my own two hands, with my own two feet I stood in the paint and I took all the heat. [Outro] You want the mic? You want the show? You’re gonna have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. Cold... dead... hands. It’s autotelic. Just let me hit the ball. Forever.