New Single: Broken Down Bus
I've spent a lot of my life writing my own version of a "9-step program." So when I sat down to write a song from the head of Richard Hoover, the failed motivational speaker Dad from Little Miss Sunshine, it hit closer to home than I expected.
"Broken Down Bus" is available to stream now: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/davehilljr/broken-down-bus?ref=release
Inspiration from “Little Miss Sunshine”
"Broken Down Bus" is available on all streaming platforms. Just look up Dave Hill Jr. Photo taken by Dave Hill Jr., Layout by Ezra Walsh
If you know the movie, you know the setup: a family crammed into a dying VW bus, grinding the clutch across three states so their daughter can make it to a beauty pageant. Along the way, they lose a grandfather (his Dad) and nearly lose each other. Richard, the Dad, and my character in the song, has to watch his whole "refuse to lose" philosophy fall apart in real time.
I wrote this song in HIS voice. I thought it was too great a coincidence that I too had written a self-help book. And I too can imagine my kids and friends rolling their eyes a bit when “coach” Dave starts talking…
So to take myself a little less seriously, and to tip my hat to a fantastic movie, Broken Down Bus was born.
Maybe writing as a guy whose self-help program doesn't work wasn't exactly a stretch of the imagination. It's more of a confession with a costume on. Once I placed myself in the movie of my mind, the song took on a life of its own, following the family's journey almost beat for beat: the broken clutch, the door that won't stay shut, the ache of watching your kid's dream slip.
The whole song started with the Broken Down Bus line that came to me just before my sleep arrived the night I viewed the film.
"Broken Down Bus" was written as part of Reel Songs, a songwriting initiative started by Seattle-based videographer and musician Sherri Jerome, where songwriters write original music inspired by film. Give her a follow if you don't already. I was so happy Sherri Jerome asked me to participate and picked such a great movie for her Reel Songs project.
My favorite line that emerged was "maybe we're all a bit colorblind," which nods to Dwayne's arc in the film, his Air Force dream ending the moment he finds out he can't tell red from green. It's a small detail in the movie, but it's the emotional center of the song for me. We all think we see clearly… but can we really?
The moral of the story for me is even when things are completely messed up, families can find a way to stay together and love each other more than any stupid Miss America Pageant.
The Sound
I took some uncharacteristic chances as a songwriter on this track. And the piano part I wrote took me a couple of months to get up to speed.
Musically, this one goes to some wild places. It's funky at its core, with a nearly reggae vibe (thanks to Jeff Fielder).
There’s also a dramatic out-of-time bridge that comes way too early in the song but just felt right so I left it. The song also starts rubato (or out of time a bit) before the groove takes over.
This was a true collaboration with Jeff Fielder, who recorded and produced the track at his home studio.
I played drums and piano and sang all the vocals. Jeff brought his special guitar intuition to the track and also added some fun synths and mellotron. His fingerprints are all over the feel of this one.
Listen (link)
If this one lands for you, share it with someone who's ever had their own "refuse to lose" program fall apart. That's most of us, eventually.
Broken Down Bus
by Dave Hill Jr.
Broken Down Bus
Holds all of us
Even when we fail
Grinding the clutch, California bound
The door slid off the rail
I sent my book to Arizona
To a man who’s broken bad
I paid dearly for my Loser dreams
And now my son is sad
And I lost my junkee dad
I’ve got 9 Ways to Win, So let’s begin
There’s no way to lose, so don’t make me choose
No Hocus Pocus, just focus, I’m broke as a joke is
I’m leaving Loserville for Good
You gotta trust to be trusted
Good enough ain't good enough
Reject the rejection, and maybe take some self-affection
Refuse to Lose
You gotta light your own fuse
I’m leaving Loserville for Good
Miss America, are you awake?
The Carefree Highway was my mistake
Miss America, with dreams I cannot own
My bus is stuck in Loserville, and I can’t make it out alone
I’ve got 2 Ways to Drive to stay alive
I used up all my fight, trying to make things right
So, I’ll skip my own advice, it’s not worth the price
I’m leaving Loserville for Good
Yeah, I’m leaving Loserville for good
Broken down bus, holds all of us
Even when we fight
Grind the clutch
California bound
Will we see the morning light
I took a ride with suicide while my son was trying to fly
Now he’s lost his Air Force dreams
They say he’s colorblind
Loving yourself is hard to find
Maybe we’re all a bit colorblind
In a hotel full of shame
Too much makeup in this game
We cover up our hearts on the road to hell
My little Queen, she carries a big dream
She’s always been misunderstood
I’m leaving Loserville For Good
Broken down bus, hauls all of us
All the way down the line
Patched the clutch
We turned around
Heading home just in time
We fixed what wasn’t broken, by loving ourselves in kind
We drove straight outta Loserville before we lost our minds
Before… We lost our minds
Before… We lost our minds
On a broken down bus
Broken Down Bus
Broken Down Bus
Broken Down Bus
Song Credits:
Released July 17, 2026
Lyrics and Music by Dave Hill Jr.
Produced and Recorded by Jeff Fielder
Guitars, bass, and synth by Jeff Fielder
Drums, piano, and vocals by Dave Hill Jr.
Mastered by Ed Brooks of Resonant Mastering, Seattle
Press Response So Far:
“It feels like Randy Newman singing for 10CC.” — Alt77 (Sweden) added to Playlists for Best New Indie & Alternative Rock 2026 and Best New Blues-Rock, Folk & Country 2026
“A reggae-tinged rock track that wins over even the biggest skeptics… incredible talent and a rarely-seen gift for songwriting.” — Roadie Music (Brazil)
“A little strange, but catchy! A real musical ride.” — Voxwave Magazine (Spain)
“One really solid track with strong, heartfelt lyrics and unique sound.” — Don's Tunes
“This has exactly that laidback reggae rock sound with trippy features. I hope more listeners discover this record.” — Daily Dosa Playlists
Broken Down Bus has picked up placements in 11 countries, from Sweden to Brazil, plus features from Voxwave Magazine, Distopic.it, and Expansión Radial, and radio play on Rádio Armazém's Sound Wave Therapy in Brazil.
