Sold American
Billy Joe Shaver & Kinky Friedman Lyrics
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Pawnshops itching for your old guitar
Where you're going, God only knows
The sequins have fallen from your clothes
Once you heard the Opry crowd applaud
Now you're hanging out at Fourth and Broad
On the rain wet sidewalk remembering the time
When coffee with a friend was still a dime
And everything's been sold American
The early Times is finished and the want ads all are read
Everyone's been sold American
In dreaming dreams in a roll away bed
Writing down your memoirs on some window in the frost
Roulette eyes reflecting another morning lost
Hauled in by the metro for killing time and pain
With a singing brakeman screaming through your veins
And everything's been sold American
The lonely night is mourning for the death it never dies
Everyone's been sold American
Don't let me catch you laughing when the jukebox cries
You told me you were born so much higher than life
But I've seen the faded pictures of your children and your wife
Now they're fumbling through your wallet and they're trying to find your name
It's almost like they raise the price of fame
And everything's been sold American
No place to go and brother, no place to stay
Everyone's been sold American
Just let that golden Greyhound roll your soul away
The song "Sold American" by Billy Joe Shaver and Kinky Friedman is a poignant tale about a washed-up cowboy star who has fallen out of favor with time. The first verse sets the scene of a once-famous performer who now finds himself destitute and forgotten, pawning his guitar to pay the bills. The chorus speaks to the general sense of disillusionment and despair felt by many people in America at the time, with a nod to the Vietnam War and the changing social landscape. The second verse delves deeper into the singer's personal struggles, alluding to substance abuse and brushes with the law. The final line of the song adds an ominous note, suggesting that even death might not bring relief from the crushing weight of disappointment and shattered dreams.
The lyrics of "Sold American" are full of vivid imagery and poetic language that paint a powerful picture of a bygone era. It's a song that captures the spirit of a time when the American Dream was starting to fray at the edges, and people were beginning to question whether the promises of the past were worth believing in anymore. Overall, "Sold American" is a haunting anthem that continues to resonate with audiences today, reminding us that the struggles of the past are never truly gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Faded jaded falling cowboy star
A former country music star whose career has fallen, leaving them feeling worn out and disillusioned.
Pawnshops itching for your old guitar
The star is in financial trouble and considering pawning their prized musical instrument to get by.
Where you're going, God only knows
The future is uncertain and the star has no clear path forward.
The sequins have fallen from your clothes
The star's flashy and extravagant image has faded away along with their career.
Once you heard the Opry crowd applaud
The star once experienced the joy of playing to cheering crowds at the Grand Ole Opry.
Now you're hanging out at Fourth and Broad
The star is reduced to loitering on street corners, aimless and without purpose.
On the rain wet sidewalk remembering the time
The star is lost in memories of better times, standing on a wet and dreary street corner.
When coffee with a friend was still a dime
Times were simpler and more enjoyable when the star could meet a friend for a cheap cup of coffee.
And everything's been sold American
The American dream has failed the star, leaving them disillusioned and alone.
The early Times is finished and the want ads all are read
The old ways of life are gone, leaving the star without options and having to search for work in the classifieds.
Everyone's been sold American
The dream of success has been sold to everyone, but is unattainable for most.
In dreaming dreams in a roll away bed
The star is left to dream their dreams alone in a small, rented room.
Writing down your memoirs on some window in the frost
The star is trying to document their life on a frosted windowpane, unsure if anyone will care to read it.
Roulette eyes reflecting another morning lost
The star has a sense of regret and lost time, with weariness showing in their eyes.
Hauled in by the metro for killing time and pain
The star is getting arrested for some kind of reckless behavior that is a result of the pain they are feeling.
With a singing brakeman screaming through your veins
The star's blood, filled with drugs or alcohol, is causing them to hallucinate a train conductor singing.
The lonely night is mourning for the death it never dies
The star feels a sense of despair in the middle of the night, feeling like they will never escape their misery.
Don't let me catch you laughing when the jukebox cries
The star is warning someone not to mock them or their sadness when they are relying on the music to get them through.
You told me you were born so much higher than life
The star had high hopes and aspirations, but feels like they have failed to achieve them.
But I've seen the faded pictures of your children and your wife
Despite their failures, the star takes comfort in the memories of their family.
Now they're fumbling through your wallet and they're trying to find your name
The family is struggling to remember their loved one as they go through their things after their death.
It's almost like they raise the price of fame
The price of fame may have led the star down a destructive path, ultimately leading to their downfall.
No place to go and brother, no place to stay
The star has nowhere to turn and no one to rely on.
Just let that golden Greyhound roll your soul away
The star is suggesting that they ride a bus to escape their pain and troubles, hoping to start anew.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GLENN MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind