I’m Broke
I’m broke, I ain’t joking
I’m bummed cuz I’m slumming
I’m down and I’m drowning
And there ain’t nobody that’ll lend me a hand
Well I’m a working man but I ain’t been working
They say keep looking but I been searching
Starting to think all the jobs are gone
I been off so long I can’t remember on
My daddy always told me, son
If you work hard the work will come
Those days must have passed
Last month welfare saved my ass
Cuz I’m broke, I ain’t joking
I’m bummed cuz I’m slumming
I’m down and I’m drowning
And there ain’t nobody that’ll lend me a hand
Well the years go by and I just get fatter
They cut my lights off, I just get madder
Gave my best years to a factory
I had three kids and stability
Now I sold everything I love and I still can’t feed em
The skills I got, the world don’t need em
Tell me what am I supposed to do
I guess I’m going back to working fast food
Cuz I’m broke, I ain’t joking
I’m bummed cuz I’m slumming
I’m down and I’m drowning
And there ain’t nobody that’ll lend me a hand
I’m a full grown man, Hi, how can I help you
The cheese costs extra on the number three special
The customer said that i was rude
I should smile more and lose the attitude
I only had one finger to give
I ain’t asking for much I’m just trying to live
Besides that job was just minimum wage
80 hours a week the bills still weren’t paid
And I’m broke, I ain’t joking
I’m bummed cuz I’m slumming
I’m down and I’m drowning
And there ain’t nobody that’ll lend me a hand
Well one of the worst parts of all
Is people all talking like it’s my fault
Like I made money off the NAFTA deal
I’m a good hearted man, but if I gotta steal…
Crime it don’t come easily
To those of us that’s just trying to eat
And the same one sent my job overseas
Will make money when they incarcerate me
Cuz I’m broke, I ain’t joking
I’m bummed cuz I’m slumming
I’m down and I’m drowning
And there ain’t nobody that’ll lend me a hand
It Seems Like You Can’t Just Be Poor Anymore
Gas is going up again
And the rents are all too
Just spent a couple hundred on the windshield
And need some brake work too
Thats this modern world that we’re living in
And that, I understand
But I’m still making 10 an hour
Which ain’t even that bad
Oh it seems like you can’t just be poor anymore
Remember when things were free
Like museums and the zoo
Now you gotta pay just to drive on the highway
And swim in the swimming pool
Automobile and health insurance
We all need legally
But the only plans that I can afford
Don’t cover anything
Oh it seems like you can’t just be poor anymore
It used to be that you didn’t need
A lot to enjoy life
Just load up the family into the car
And head out to see the sights
But second jobs and part time gigs
Means no vacation days
Can’t get enough hours for benefits
Or to qualify for a raise
Oh it seems like you can’t just be poor anymore
I been working hard every day
And still the bills they ain’t getting paid
I used to believe that I’d done something wrong
But I’m doing just what my daddy did
And he managed to buy a home
I don’t need a brand new car
Just something to get around
And i don’t need the job of my dreams
In a tall building down town
I’m just trying to cut myself a slice
Of that American pie
Raise some kids have some fun on the weekends
And live a decent life
Oh it seems like you can’t just be poor anymore
Howdy High-Rise
Howdy High-rise
How you doing
Did you come here for the view
Well thats the hard thing for me
At one point I sure did too
Howdy High-rise
Where did you come from
I bet you’re in from out of state
You’re making money for California
Take your profit and be on your way
Howdy High-rise
Who do you know here
It seems like only a very few
The rest we stare up your tower and wonder
What it’d be like to be you
Howdy High-rise
You’re so bright now
I didn’t notice the sun had set
Its in your shadow we spend our mornings
You’re in our windows lying in bed
Howdy High-rise
What type are you
Just vacations or for a while
Either way you’ll be moving on
Once our city is out of style
Howdy High-rise
My friends all left me
They couldn’t take your point of view
Your shining silence betrays your money
There’s a violence in your roots
Howdy High-rise
Guess I’ll be going
I doubt you’ll notice or even care
Whatever drew you to our small city
It’s probably no longer here
Just Wanna Go Home With You
Make me an offer that I can’t refuse
Why don’t you show me that new tattoo
You know it’s true
I just wanna go home with you
You’re looking sleepy, probably so do I
And you’ve never been on the back of a bike
Let’s get a move
I just wanna go home with you
Now I see all your records and they’re just like mine
And I can’t even sing about what we did that night
You know it’s true
I’m so happy I came home with you
Out on the road what feels like all the time
Writing you sweet things by my cell phone light
You know it’s true
I wish that I was home with you
Gentrification
G-E-N-T-R-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N
C-U-L-T-U-R-A-L
E-L-I-T-I-S-M
H-E-G-E-M-O-N-Y
White washing society
Words like safety and development
Thats coded R-A-C-I-S-M
Brand new home, thousand foot long
Built between two run down shacks
Talking about calling the city on the neighbor
Cuz he still hasn't cut his grass
Brand new fifty thousand dollar car
Parked in the paved drive way
Talking about the neighborhood
It used to be no good
Lucky you came it's way
Well thats
G-E-N-T-R-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N
C-U-L-T-U-R-A-L
E-L-I-T-I-S-M
H-E-G-E-M-O-N-Y
White washing society
Words like safety and development
Thats coded R-A-C-I-S-M
First come the coffee shops
Then the small plate restaurants
And after all diversity has left
When everything starts to feel like a Wes Anderson film
With about as much cultural depth
G-E-N-T-R-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N
C-U-L-T-U-R-A-L
E-L-I-T-I-S-M
H-E-G-E-M-O-N-Y
White washing society
Words like safety and development
Thats coded R-A-C-I-S-M
Well you brought your kids here with you
But they stay inside the fence
You drive them to a better school
At a great expense
You didn't come here to share and enjoy what this community has always been
You're just crossing your fingers your investment will pay off
And you'll be living with all whites again
G-E-N-T-R-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N
C-U-L-T-U-R-A-L
E-L-I-T-I-S-M
H-E-G-E-M-O-N-Y
White washing society
Words like safety and development
Thats coded R-A-C-I-S-M
Luxury (Is a Four Letter Word To Me)
Who are you
And what do you do
And why do you deserve the things you treat yourself to
The money you spend
Good timing with your friends
But when a poor man asks for a dollar
You ain’t got a nickel to lend
Luxury
Is a four letter word to me
No I just can’t see
Spending all that dime
All on me
Or even on my family
With so many others in need
I couldn’t live that life
Spending on one plate
What some folks will make in a day
While theres children that won’t eat tonight
Living less than a mile away
Spending more because you’re making more
That is what it is
Well let me tell you what it is
It’s selfish, irresponsible
Immoral, reprehensible
It doesn’t trickle down till you give
And that’s why
Luxury
Is a four letter word to me
No I just can’t see
Spending all that dime
All on me
Or even on my family
With so many others in need
I couldn’t live that life
Let me break it down for y’all
A fancy boutique hotel
I ain’t staying
A pool party out in the hills
I ain’t playing
A brand new luxury car
I won’t drive it
“Aw we deserve this, we work hard”
I don’t buy it
Set menu 7 course meal
I ain’t eating
Gated communities and private schools
We don’t need em
VIP to ACL
I ain’t going
“Aw we deserve to live well”
Yeah, by who’s owing
Luxury
Thats a four letter word to me
No I just can’t see
Spending all that dime
All on me
Or even on my family
With so many others in need
I couldn’t live that life
For The First Time I’m Starting To Think About My Age
For the first time, I’m starting to think about my age
I said for the first time, I’m starting to think about my age
Wake up in the morning put my boots on
Walk outside into the beating sun
It’s a beating but it’s all I know, It’s all I ever done
Come back home with my shoulders sore
Little more sore than they used to before
Sit down to get my socks and I’m out like a light
Wake up in time to catch the evening news
Slowly put back on my shoes
I’m going out if it’s the last thing I do
But now I’m three beers deep and I’m passing out
Switch to tequila, take a red bull down
Nailed it
And now I’m closing this bar down
Oh and then the morning comes
And for the first time, I’m starting to think about my age
I said for the first time, I’m starting to think about my age
Well I wake up in the morning and I can’t see
My mind is rolling like a tumble weed
And my mouth is drier than an ounce of Mexican weed
I fire up the Harley and the engine roars
My headache shoots to a 10 from a 4
And I’m cursing counting break lights trying to keep my breakfast down
Well life it used to be fun and games
Never cared about nothing never felt the pain
It was all about the party and the musics how we washed it all down
But now my hair is thin, my belly shows
My girls the only person at my shows
My skills end here, ain’t no other career
Bout to lose the only thing I ever loved sincere
And I can’t pack up, I got no home
I live free which means I live alone
Still writing sad songs, still getting along
I make one fan for every 12 new songs
And for the first time, I’m starting to think about my age
I said for the first time, I’m starting to think about my age
Trans-Am
All I want is a damn Trans-am
But all I can afford is a damn Grand-am
Goddammit that just ain’t a part of the plan
So I guess I’m gonna walk to you
I just wanna be with you
I know your house and I miss your room
I’m thinking of all the things we’d do
Cuz baby I just wanna be with you
All I want is a damn Trans-am
But all I can afford is a damn Grand-am
Goddammit that just ain’t a part of the plan
So I guess I’m gonna walk to you
Style, thats a thing for you
And if I had a job, I’d have some too
I’m telling you what I plan to do
Cuz baby I just wanna be with you
But you are air and ocean too
You’ve traveled lots and i’m trying to
I spent some time in south Peru
But really I just wanna be with you
All I want is a damn Trans-am
But all I can afford is a damn Grand-am
Goddammit that just ain’t a part of the plan
So I guess I’m gonna walk to you
Your Friends Not Mine
Nine hundred thousand dollar home with a bigger one in mind
Thats your friends not mine
Four car garage with four new cars and i bet you can guess what kind
(BMW)
That’s your friends not mine
Your friends not mine
My friends all drive things that were built before they were born
Some of them rent out closets
And some of them sleep on floors
But if the topic of discussion is a wealthy cousin
With a house on the River Rhine
That’s your friends not mine
Your friends not mine
Nine hundred thousand dollar home with a bigger one in mind
Thats your friends not mine
Four car garage with four new cars and i bet you can guess what kind
(Mercedes)
That’s your friends not mine
Your friends not mine
My friends all just got fired
But they’re trying to find something new
Dishwashing
Car parking
Or selling you know what to you know who
Courtside tickets bought with family money
Straight from the oil line
That’s your friends not mine
Your friends not mine
And it’s outdated
Carbureted
JB Welded and
Spray painted
Not quite making Forbes 500
Just a couple bucks behind
That’s your friends not mine
Your friends not mine
That’s your friends not mine
A Song To Play The Next Time That I Meet Your Mother
Well first i’d like to mention that I’ve got the best intentions for your daughter
I see her as the angel, sugar sweet, and special as the little girl you used to hold so dear
When you say it looks like we ain’t been sleeping, it’s cuz we been up talking about our feelings
And doing nothing else
And if you’d look past my appearance, my tattoos and inheritance
I think you’ll see the son in-law that you’ve always been dreaming about
So here’s a song so honest
To ease your mind and make you a promise
Without all the usual fair
No this song ain’t about cheating
About breaking hearts or leaving
This songs about staying right here
A little bit about me, I don’t sell drugs, well, hardly
And I smoke a little but it doesn’t get in my way
Drinking only on the weekends, or if i’m playing shows, or hanging out
Or with dinner or if I find one in the fridge i forgot I’d hidden away
My tattoos were done professional, the needle and the room were both sterile
Except for the one my buddy did in his trailer
And I don’t have a job per se, but i’m writing new songs most every day
And it’s only a matter of time before they call my number
So here’s a song so honest
To ease your mind and make you a promise
Without all the usual fair
No this song ain’t about cheating
About breaking hearts of leaving
This songs about staying right here
Every girlfriend that I’ve left, it’s cuz I wasn’t ready yet
But lucky for y’all, y’all caught me at the right time
And my Harley it’s been running good it’s been stopping and starting like it should
And with your daughter on the back, the thing looks mighty fine
Now I know what you’re thinking and I already started building a sidecar if a baby comes along
Anyways, it’s sure been nice meeting but I gotta get to my meeting
The road to recovery can be awful long
So here’s a song so honest
To ease your mind and make you a promise
Without all the usual fair
No this song ain’t about cheating
About breaking hearts of leaving
This songs about staying right here
(If I Knew What I Had to Give Up) I Never Woulda Fallen In Love
If I knew I’d have to give up
The late night parties and the drugs
I doubt I’d have ever fallen in love
The beautiful women and the flashing lights
I’m pretty sure I remember it right
I doubt I’d have ever fallen in love
Go back to those hungover mornings puking in the pool
Marker on my face for passing out too soon
On a couch, in a house, full of people I’ve never met
All night jams that don’t go nowhere
Out of weed and coke and almost out of beer
Anybody got a cigarette to spare
Yeah, but the only lighter disappeared
If I knew I’d have to give up
The late night parties and the drugs
I doubt Id have ever fallen in love
If I knew I’d have to give up
Living like a barnyard animal does
I doubt I’d have ever fallen in love
Sunday trips to the grocery store
Making the bed and doing chores
I doubt I’d have ever fallen in love
Go back to that craigslist mattress on the floor
Bed bugs biting, roaches on the door
Sleeping on the same old sheet for bout 15 years
Kitchen floor and the bathroom too
Both sticky and brown, counter covered in food
Didn’t even know that you could clean the oven
But I don’t think I ever really used the oven
If I knew I’d have to give up
Living like a barnyard animal does
I doubt I’d have ever fallen in love
Well I guess my life is better in so many ways
I guess this is growing up, thats what they say
Yeah I guess I’ve had my fun
I’ve seen the world through the eyes of a bum
Time to see it all again
With love in my heart and a new best friend
Well I guess that i’m happy as hell
I guess I fell in love and I fell in love well
I guess I don’t miss too much
Everything, I gave up
Just to fall in love
Bananas For Breakfast
Bananas for breakfast
Beef jerky for dinner
Godammit I must be broke again but I swear
That i’m a working man
And i’m working bout as hard as I can
Ran outta gas again
Can’t afford the gas can
Can’t afford the gasoline
Guess that walking is the plan
But I can’t leave my bike
Where it is over night
Guess I’ll have to sleep here
So baby if you wanna see me
I’ll be down here on East 15th by the highway and Dennys
Won’t you come and keep me company
And its
Bananas for breakfast
Beef jerky for dinner
Godammit I must be broke again but I swear
That i’m a working man
And i’m working bout as hard as I can
i got no hot water for my morning shower
And I ain’t got a shower curtain so I’m making a mess
Couldn’t find my towel
So I’m using an old t shirt
Can’t afford a vowel
Need to talk to a preacher
Poverty is making a religious man of me
Not really
But I do feel shitty
And I wish I had some company
Bananas for breakfast
Beef jerky for dinner
Dammit I must be broke again but I swear
That i’m a working man
And i’m working bout as hard as I can