Harry Nilsson

Released: August 19, 1974

Songwriter: Bob Dylan

Producer: John Lennon

[Verse 1]
Johnny's in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off

Look out, kid
T's somethin' you did
God knows when but you're doin' it again
You better duck down in the alley way
Lookin' for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap
In the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills
You only got seven

[Verse 2]
Maggie comes fleet foot
Face full of black soot
Talkin' that the heat put
Plants in the bed
But the phone's tapped anyway
Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the D.A

Look out kid
Don't matter what you did
Walk on your tip toes
Don't try 'No Doz'
Better stay away from those
That carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose
Watch out for plain clothes
You don't need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows

[Verse 3]
Get sick, get well
Hang around a ink well
Ring bell, hard to tell
If anything is goin' to sell
Try hard, get barred
Get back, write braille
Get jailed, jump bail
Join the army if you fail

[Verse 4]
Get born, keep warm
Short pants, romance, learn to dance
Get dressed, get blessed
Try to be a success
Please her, please him, buy gifts
Don't steal, don't lift
Twenty years of schoolin'
And they put you on the day shift

Look out, kid
They keep it all hid
Better jump down a manhole
Light yourself a candle
Don't wear sandals
Try to avoid the scandals
Don't wanna be a bum
You better chew gum
The pump don't work
'Cause the vandals took the handles

Harry Nilsson was a songwriter and singer, famous for writing hits like “One,” creating unique musical stories like “The Point,” and singing covers like “Without You” and “Everybody’s Talkin'”

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