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The Weed Smoker's Dream
Hugh Laurie Lyrics


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Sitting on a million, sitting on it everyday
Can't make no money giving your stuff away
Why don't you do like, like the millionaires do
Put your stuff on the market and make a million too

Face of a betting women, she bets on every hand
She's a tricking modafunkyou everywhere she lands
Why don't you do now, like the millionaires do
Put your stuff on the market and make a million too

May's a good looking frail, she lives down by the jail
On the back though she got hot stuff for cell
Why don't you do now, like the millionaires do
Put your stuff on the market and make a million too

Sitting on a million, sitting on it everyday
can't make no money giving your stuff away
Why don't you do now, like the millionaires do
Put your stuff on the market and make a million too
Put your stuff on the market and make a million, too

Overall Meaning

In The Weed Smoker's Dream, Hugh Laurie sings about the common trait between millionaires and those who sit on their goods, from women who bet constantly to a good-looking female who sells drugs down by the jail. Laurie suggests that these people could make a fortune by following in the footsteps of the wealthy and offering their skills on the market rather than giving their stuff away for free. The song's lyrics seem to address the issues of the underclass and suggest that they also have something valuable to contribute to society, but just need a push in the right direction.


The song's lyrics are reminiscent of 1920's and 30's American blues music, typically about the struggles of poor African Americans. Hugh Laurie wrote the song with Kevin Breit, a Canadian guitarist, and producer, and it was released in 2013 as part of Laurie's second studio album, "Didn't It Rain." The album featured a mix of blues, jazz, and rock and roll music, with Laurie showcasing his piano and guitar playing. The Weed Smoker's Dream was not released as a single, but it received positive reviews from critics who praised Laurie's musicianship and songwriting.


Line by Line Meaning

Sitting on a million, sitting on it everyday
I have a lot of valuable possessions that I do not use and thus they are sitting idle and useless.


Can't make no money giving your stuff away
One can't make a profit by giving things for free, it's important to put a price tag on things.


Why don't you do like, like the millionaires do
It's time to learn from the millionaires and adopt their ways of monetizing things instead of giving them for free.


Put your stuff on the market and make a million too
By putting one's things up for sale, it's possible to make a lot of profit just like the millionaires do.


Face of a betting women, she bets on every hand
There is a woman who is quite fond of gambling, she bets on every opportunity that comes her way.


She's a tricking modafunkyou everywhere she lands
She is a clever person, who uses her charisma to con people wherever she goes.


May's a good looking frail, she lives down by the jail
May is a woman who lives close to the prison, she is physically attractive but appears weak and vulnerable.


On the back though she got hot stuff for cell
Despite her appearance, May has valuable products that she can sell to make a lot of money.


Put your stuff on the market and make a million too
The best way to make a lot of profit is by putting one's products on the market and selling them, like a millionaire would do.


Put your stuff on the market and make a million, too
Monetizing things is key to making a lot of money and living the luxurious life of a millionaire.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MORAND MCCOY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@deboraevinlyoliveiragarcia1098

Traduçao pro português
Sentado em um milhão
Sittin' on a million

Sentado nele todos os dias
Sittin' on it every day

Não posso ganhar dinheiro entregando suas coisas
Can't make no money givin' your stuff away

Por que você não faz o certo
Why don't you do right

Como os milionários fazem
Like the millionaires do

Coloque suas coisas no mercado
Put your stuff on the market

E fazer um milhão também
And make a million too

Fay é uma mulher de apostas
Fay's a betting woman

Ela aposta em todas as mãos
She bets on every hand

Ela é uma mãe enganadora para você em todos os lugares que ela pousar
She's a trickin' mother for you everywhere she land

Por que você não faz agora
Why don't you do now

Como os milionários fazem
Like the millionaires do

Coloque suas coisas no mercado
Put your stuff on the market

E fazer um milhão também
And make a million too

May é uma boa aparência frágil
May's a good lookin' frail

Ela mora perto da prisão
She lives down by the jail

Nas costas, embora ela tenha coisas quentes à venda
On her back though she got hot stuff for sale

Por que você não faz agora
Why don't you do now

Como os milionários fazem
Like the millionaires do

Coloque suas coisas no mercado
Put your stuff on the market

E fazer um milhão também
And make a million too

Sentado em um milhão
Sittin' on a million

Sentado nele todos os dias
Sittin' on it every day

Não pode ganhar dinheiro dando suas coisas
Can't make no money giving your stuff away

Por que você não faz agora
Why don't you do now

Como os milionários fazem
Like the millionaires do

Coloque suas coisas no mercado
Put your stuff on the market

E fazer um milhão também
And make a million too

Coloque suas coisas no mercado
Put your stuff on the market

E fazer um milhão também
And make a million too



All comments from YouTube:

@Suburbanswing

just saw Hugh in concert and met him afterwards.  Funny, brilliant, and friendly.  This song in particular was my fav of the night!!!!

@TravelingAndBadDecisions

how did you manage to meet him? I'm seeing him tomorrow so I wish to know if I have a chance to meet him too!

@lisalovesnola

Glad to read he's a good guy & he socialized with you. That's cool!

@ariferrari7978

Why Don't You Do Right?" first appeared in 1936 as "The Weed Smoker's Dream", composed by McCoy and recorded by his band, the Harlem Hamfats. The song was subtitled "Why Don't You Do Now" on the original release. McCoy later rewrote the song, refining the composition and changing the lyrics entirely. The new tune was titled "Why Don't You Do Right?" and was recorded by Lil Green in 1941 (with guitar played by Big Bill Broonzy). The recording was an early jazz and blues hit.

@VCT3333

And just a year or so later Benny Goodman made a Big Band arrangement of the Lil Green version because Peggy Lee loved singing it in her dressing room while they were doing a movie together. That version of course was a big hit and became a staple of Peggy's career.

@inconsistancies7286

Is hugh covering this or ripping it off?

@williamdwane3095

Love it, best track on the album!

@patrickmace5340

Hugh's an amazing pianist

@thewaywardpoet

This song right here is the reason I go to jazz music whenever I get high. I realize that most of my friends immediately go to the obvious choices (i.e. classic rock, reggae, and even R&B,) but for me, jazz is the ultimate pot-smoking soundtrack. It just doesn't get any better than a reefer (or edible) and some of the finest music on earth. :)

@nofacenomedium

thewaywardpoet so you like jazz because it's unconventional? Sounds like you're a typical non conformist.

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