I Need a Dollar
Aloe Blacc Lyrics

I need a dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need
Financial hardship has led me to seek assistance in the form of a dollar.

Hey, hey
An upbeat interjection serving to grab the listener's attention and convey energy.

Said I need dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need
Reiteration of the need for a single dollar to alleviate the singer's financial struggles.

And if I share with you my story would you share your dollar with me?
In exchange for telling my tale of hardship, would you be willing to lend me a dollar to help me out?

Bad times are comin' and I reap what I done sowed
The negative consequences of past actions have led to my current dire financial situation.

Well let me tell you somethin' all that glitters ain't gold
An expression of disillusionment with the idea that material wealth represents true success or happiness.

It's been a long old trouble, long old troublesome road
My experience with financial hardship has been prolonged and onerous.

And I'm looking for somebody come and help me carry this load
I am seeking support and assistance to help bear the emotional and financial burden I am carrying alone.

Well I don't know if I'm walking on solid ground
Uncertainty and instability make it difficult for me to feel secure or confident in my situation.

'Cause everything around me is falling down
My circumstances seem to be spiraling out of control as my financial troubles worsen and my support systems falter.

And all I want is for someone to help me
My primary desire is for compassionate assistance from another person to help me weather this difficult time.

I had a job but the boss man let me go
I was previously employed but lost my job, further exacerbating my financial struggles.

He said, I'm sorry but I won't be needing your help no more
My employer dismissed me from my job, citing my services as no longer necessary or useful.

Please mister boss man I need this job more than you know
I pleaded with my former employer to reconsider letting me go as my financial stability depended on this job.

But he gave me my last paycheck and he sent me on out the door
Despite my protests, my employer opted to let me go and provided me with a final payment for my work.

What in the world am I gonna to do tomorrow
The future feels uncertain and I am unsure of how I will be able to address my financial struggles moving forward.

Is there someone whose dollar that I can borrow
I am seeking to borrow money from someone in order to alleviate my immediate financial strain.

Who can help me take away my sorrow
I am seeking external assistance to help alleviate the emotional pain and stress caused by my financial struggles.

Maybe it's inside the bottle
I may be seeking temporary relief from my problems in substances such as alcohol.

I had some good old buddy his names is whiskey and wine
The aforementioned substances are presented as a comfort and source of companionship for the singer.

And for my good old buddy I spent my last dime
The singer has been spending their money on these substances instead of allocating it towards more practical means of addressing their financial issues.

My wine is good to me it helps me pass the time
The singer views alcohol as a positive force in their life, as it helps them temporarily escape their problems.

And my good old buddy whiskey keeps me warmer than the sunshine
The singer values alcohol for the temporary comforts it provides, even preferring it to natural sources of warmth and light like the sun.

Your mom of mayhem just a child has got his own
Though the singer's struggles are unique to them, they recognize that others around them may be struggling in their own way.

If God has plans for me I hope it ain't, written in stone
The singer is uncertain of their future and hopes that their life path is not predetermined or unchangeable.

Because I've been working, working myself down to the bone
The singer is putting in significant effort and labor in order to alleviate their financial struggles, but has yet to see adequate results.

And I swear on grandpa's grave I'll be paid when I come home
The singer has faith that their hard work and struggles will eventually lead them to financial stability, and swears to this on the memory of their deceased grandfather.

Come on share your dollar with me
An appeal to the listener for financial assistance in the form of a single dollar.

Go ahead share your dollar with me
An an extension of this appeal for assistance, explicitly requesting listeners to lend them a dollar.

Give me your dollar
A straightforward command to listeners to relinquish financial assistance to the singer.

Share your dollar with me
A final entreaty for charitable assistance from the listener.