Working At The Carwash Blues
Croce Jim Lyrics
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Doin' ninety days for non-support
Tried to find me an executive position
But no matter how smooth I talked
They wouldn't listen to the fact that I was a genius
The man say, "We got all that we can use."
Now I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
Well, I should be sittin' in an air conditioned office in a swivel chair
Talkin' some trash to the secretaries
Sayin', "Here, now mama, come on over here."
Instead, I'm stuck here rubbin' these fenders with a rag
And walkin' home in soggy old shoes
With them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
Workin' at the car wash blues
You know a man of my ability
He should be smokin' on a big cigar
But till I get myself straight I guess I'll just have to wait
In my rubber suit a-rubbin' these cars
Well, all I can do is a shake my head
You might not believe that it's true
For workin' at this end of Niagara Falls
Is an undiscovered Howard Hughes
So baby, don't expect to see me
With no double martini in any high-brow society news
Cause I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
Workin' at the car wash blues
So baby, don't expect to see me
With no double martini in any high-brow society news
'Cause I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
Workin' at the car wash blues
Yeah I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
Workin' at the car wash blues
The song “Working at the Carwash Blues” by Croce Jim is about a man who had just been released from prison after serving a 90-day sentence for non-support. He then tries to find an executive position but fails, despite his genius. Eventually, he has to settle for working at a car wash and feels depressed, which is where the title of the song comes from. The man in the song believes he has the ability to do great things, such as smoking a cigar and drinking a double martini, but his current circumstances do not allow him to do so. He has to rub fenders with a rag and walk home in soggy old shoes instead. The man is frustrated because he cannot find an opportunity to advance his position in society.
The song portrays the feeling of being stuck in a dead-end job very well. The lines “Now I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin' Working at the car wash blues” is a metaphor for feeling hopeless and unimportant in society. The singer feels his abilities are not being recognized and is desperate to move up the social ladder. The song is relatable to many people who feel trapped in a job that does not fulfill them or allow them to reach their full potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I had just got out from the county prison
I was recently released from prison
Doin' ninety days for non-support
I was in there for not supporting someone, and served 90 days
Tried to find me an executive position
I tried to get a high-ranking job
But no matter how smooth I talked
No matter how persuasive I was
They wouldn't listen to the fact that I was a genius
They didn't believe that I was exceptionally intelligent
The man say, "We got all that we can use."
The employer said they didn't need me
Now I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
I am feeling consistently sad and my mind is struggling
Working at the car wash blues
I'm working at a car wash and it's not fulfilling
Well, I should be sittin' in an air conditioned office in a swivel chair
I feel like I should be in a high-level, comfortable job
Talkin' some trash to the secretaries
Casually flirting with the administrative assistants
Sayin', "Here, now mama, come on over here."
Inviting a female colleague over
Instead, I'm stuck here rubbin' these fenders with a rag
But I'm actually working at a low-level job washing cars
And walkin' home in soggy old shoes
I have to walk home in uncomfortable, wet shoes
With them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
My sadness and mental struggles continue
Workin' at the car wash blues
Still working at the unfulfilling car wash job
You know a man of my ability
Someone as capable as me
He should be smokin' on a big cigar
Should be enjoying the perks of wealth
But till I get myself straight I guess I'll just have to wait
But until I get my life in order, I'll have to deal with this job
In my rubber suit a-rubbin' these cars
Wearing a rubber suit and washing cars
Well, all I can do is a shake my head
All I can do is express my disappointment
You might not believe that it's true
You might not think it's possible
For workin' at this end of Niagara Falls
To be working at a menial job here
Is an undiscovered Howard Hughes
Is a person of great potential, like Howard Hughes before he was famous
So baby, don't expect to see me with no double martini in any high-brow society news
Don't expect to see me with a fancy drink in an upscale magazine
'Cause I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
My sadness and mental struggles persist
Workin' at the car wash blues
Working at the unfulfilling car wash job
Yeah I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin'
Again, expressing my current emotional and mental state
Workin' at the car wash blues
And still working at the car wash job
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIM CROCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind