The Self-Employed Man: they say the rules get clearer now (Elvis 2.0)

A humorous, upbeat song about a self-employed professional hoping that the proposed Dutch Self-Employment Act (Zelfstandigenwet) will bring legal clarity, reassure hesitant clients, and make freelancing less of a paperwork-filled obstacle course. Link to original SUNO-song: see comments LYRICS: THE SELF-EMPLOYED MAN [Verse 1] I packed my laptop in the morning, put my jacket on my back, I’ve got twenty years of experience and still they check the track. “Can we hire this self-employed man?” They call a lawyer twice. Then someone says, “Let’s wait and see…” And nobody rolls the dice. [Chorus] I’m a self-employed man, with a laptop in my hand. They say there’s a safe harbor now, a place where I can stand. If freedom, choice and enterprise are what the new rules see, Then maybe clients won’t be scared to work with folks like me. [Verse 2] There’s a new Zelfstandigenwet, with criteria to explain. A zelfstandigentoets first, then a werkrelatietoets again. They look at independence, freedom, risk and trade. And if the work allows it, then the safe harbor’s made. [Chorus] I’m a self-employed man, with a laptop in my hand. They say the rules get clearer now, so everyone can understand. No need to call the lawyers, no need to form a plan B. Just check the rules and ask yourself: “Can this man work independently?” [Verse 3] For years we’ve had the question: “Is this really allowed?” Then came another checklist, and everybody looked confused. A judgment here, a guideline there, a document or two— By the time you found the answer, the assignment was already through! [Bridge] And after all those years of uncertainty and doubt, It’s good to see a framework that can help us figure it out. A safe harbor sounds like welcome news for clients and for me— More confidence to hire us, more room for enterprise to be. [Final Chorus] I’m a self-employed man, with a laptop in my hand. If this new law brings clarity, then maybe now we can work with more confidence, with freedom and with choice. Let the rules be clear enough to give uncertainty no voice. I’m a self-employed man, and I’m ready for the call. If clients aren’t afraid anymore, there’s room for us all. [Outro] So here’s to clearer answers, and a safer place to start. Give entrepreneurs some freedom— and give clients peace of heart. I’m a self-employed man… And I’m ready to work. *** Disclaimer: This video and all audio, vocals, music, visuals, and/or creative material are AI-generated and created for entertainment, creative, educational, and learning purposes only. This content is not intended to impersonate, mislead, or harm any real artist, estate, label, company, or copyright holder. Any voice, style, or classic sound used in this content is part of an AI-generated creative project and should not be taken as an official recording, endorsement, or release from the original artist or any affiliated party. We respect all artists, creators, copyright owners, and platforms. No harm is intended.