Sin City
Beck & Emmylou Harris Lyrics
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It will swallow you in
If you've got some money to burn
Take it home right away
You've got three years to pay
But Satan is waiting his turn
The scientists say
It will all wash away
Cause we've got our recruits
And our green mohair suits
So please show your I.D. At the door
This old earthquake's gonna leave me in the poor house
It seems like this whole town's insane
On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain
A friend came around
Tried to clean up this town
His ideas made some people mad
But he trusted his crowd
So he spoke right out loud
And they lost the best friend they had
This old earthquake's gonna leave me in the poor house
It seems like this whole town's insane
On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain
On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain
The song Sin City by Beck and Emmylou Harris is a commentary about the debauchery, greed, and corruption that can be found in many urban areas. The lyrics describe a town that is filled with sin and will swallow you in if you let it. Money can buy temporary escape, but Satan is always waiting to collect his due. The scientists say it will all wash away, but the characters in the song no longer believe that. Instead, they have their recruits and their green mohair suits, signifying a culture of superficiality and materialism. The lyrics continue to describe the earthquake that will leave them in the poorhouse, and the realization that no matter how much gold plating is on the 31st floor door, it won't keep out the Lord's burning rain.
The second verse focuses on an individual who came to the town with good intentions, attempting to clean it up. However, his ideas made some people mad, and he lost his life. The lyrics are a reflection on the futility of trying to make positive changes in a world that is filled with darkness and corruption.
Line by Line Meaning
This old town is filled with sin
The town is corrupted and immoral
It will swallow you in
It is easy for one to fall prey to the town's temptations
If you've got some money to burn
If you have extra money to spend
Take it home right away
Leave this town as soon as possible with your money
You've got three years to pay
If you don't have money, you can buy on credit
But Satan is waiting his turn
Evil is lurking around and waiting to pounce
The scientists say
Experts predict
It will all wash away
The town will eventually fall apart
But we don't believe any more
We no longer have faith in their predictions
Cause we've got our recruits
We have our own people and followers
And our green mohair suits
We have our own distinct style and identity
So please show your I.D. At the door
We are exclusive and only want our kind in our circle
A friend came around
A well-meaning person arrived in town
Tried to clean up this town
Attempted to improve the town's state
His ideas made some people mad
His suggestions stirred up hostility
But he trusted his crowd
He had faith in his supporters
So he spoke right out loud
He was vocal and outspoken about his beliefs
And they lost the best friend they had
His followers turned on him and he lost their support
This old earthquake's gonna leave me in the poor house
The earthquake is going to ruin me financially
It seems like this whole town's insane
The town is irrational and out of control
On the thirty-first floor a gold plated door
The wealthy have expensive taste and luxury
Won't keep out the Lord's burning rain
No amount of wealth or power can protect against divine punishment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER HILLMAN, GRAM PARSONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moragmacgregor6792
Now, I think Beck does an admirable job in reconceptualizing this song and it needed a fresh viewpoint. But as the comment says so succinctly, Beck is too strong here. Too loud, too fast, too dominant._
Now, I think Beck does an admirable job in reconceptualizing this song and it needed a fresh viewpoint. But as the comment says so succinctly, Beck is too strong here. Too loud, too fast, too dominant._
push in 7 US to tighten up on gun ownership. I know you've noticed how many mass shootings take place leading up to an election. It's just exhausting tbh; sometimes I wonder whether the various restrictions are even worth worrying about. If government troops have state-of-the-art tacticalNow, I think Beck does a good job but a couple of commenters have it @d w But Canadians didn't give up all their guns, dude. That would be Australia. The country with the hysterical mandates, police oppression, and COVID camps. Where they gave away their right to bear arms without a fight.
For the last few decades there's been quite a weaponsNow, I think Beck does an admirable job in reconceptualizing this song and it needed a fresh COVID But as the comment says so succinctly, Beck is too strong here. Too loud, too fast, too dominant.
@mattthompson9826
I love this song. A masterpiece by Gram and Chris.
@brianvaira486
I would like to see Beck do an old fashioned country album in the future. This and Rowboat are awesome.
@212729h
What a great song . Never heard this version before . Absolutely great . When was this recorded . Many thanks for this .
@aml3668
212729h It's on a 1999 tribute album Emmylou Harris was largely responsible for getting together. There are some great versions of songs Gram Parsons wrote or co-wrote on it. It's called Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons.
@212729h
***** Thanks . For sure I'll try and find it . This still one great version of this song . Chris Hillman also co wrote this song with Gram Parsons and he never really gets much credit for it . Thanks again for posting .
@nightingaleofsorrow9349
+Own private I dunno Thank you kindly for sharing. Miss Gram everyday...
@aml3668
As to fame... according to the esteemed Wikipedia Chris Hillman was about to chuck it in and go to UCLA, but Fortuna intervened and he became a Byrd instead, so he's probably happy he could pursue a dream. Knowing he is admired and respected, not least by his peers and younger musician, must count for a lot. It's not as if he was aiming for a pop career or stadium stardom.
I reckon The Glimmer Twins would have sold their souls to the devil to have written this song.
I was going to say that this album dates from the days before illegal downloads, so he should have picked up some royalties... But the profits apparently went to a Vietnam Vets charity to eradicate landmines. The performers gave up their cut. The writers? Not hard to see Chris Hillman doing that too.
@alicelascaux7222
Own private I dunno I agree completely!!! The songs are excellent, and she has made something even more beautiful about them. Reaching so many people that wouldn't have ever heard of Gram Parsons, possibly me, spreadinglots of love,. Oh and I love her singing with Sheryl Crow, the sound, it is SO incredibly awesome!
@richieroma
had this song on a compilation 15 years ago and somehow lost it. Always loved it…thanks so much for the upload. :)
@justwantintosaysomethings4578
How good, how good!