Gimme What You Got
Don Henley Lyrics

Baby picks off your plate--yours looks better
A metaphor for how people always want what they don't have and how envy drives people to seek more.

And she throws hers on the floor
A reference to how people even abandon what they have just to try and get something better.

Here, in the home of the brave
Acknowledging that America is a great nation that encourages people to achieve their goals.

And the land of the free
Reiterating that America's freedom is a cornerstone of its greatness.

The first word that baby learns is more
Highlighting how people's desire for more is learned from an early age and remains with them for life.

So you're out there floating like a big, puffy cloud
A metaphor for how people sometimes feel disconnected from their dreams and aspirations, but remain buoyant through life's ups and downs.

With the pool and the charcoal
A reminder of how material possessions offer temporary happiness, but don't bring true fulfillment.

And the kids and the wife
Family is important, but don't let material possessions take priority over them.

Til the reruns of your dreams are interrupted
Reiterating how people's aspirations are often paused by the mundanity of life.

And you step out into life
Encouraging people to take ownership of their dreams and go out to achieve them.

And it's still gimme, gimme what you got
Reminding us how people still seek more despite already having plenty.

Now it's take and take takeover, takeover
People increasingly demand, rather than offer help.

It's all take and never give
Drawing attention to how people are increasingly selfish and don't lend a helping hand to others when needed.

All these trumped up towers
A metaphor for how people elevate their status and create a facade of success.

They're just golden showers
Reiterating how many material possessions are all style and no substance.

Where are people supposed to live?
Questions the sustainability of lifestyle and the impact on society as a whole.

You can arm yourself, alarm yourself
Alludes to how people try to protect themselves from others who may harm them or steal from them.

But there's nowhere you can run
A reminder that no matter how much we try, we cannot outrun the eventual theft or loss of our possessions.

'Cause a man with a briefcase
Reference to how white-collar crimes and corruption can be just as detrimental as violent crime.

Can steal more money
Reiterating that theft and corruption can come in many forms and with varying impact.

Than any man with a gun
Moral reasoning doesn't follow what one would assume (i.e, guns are commonly associated with danger, however, individuals with 'briefcases' can cause just as much harm).

You got the price of admission--
Reminding us all that everyone is driven by different motivators.

You don't have to ask permission
Encouraging people to chase their dreams and explore their potential.

To take somethin' from another man
Highlighting how greed and theft can ruin opportunities for others.

You cross a lawyer with the godfather, baby
A reference to how the cunning of lawyers and crime bosses can lead them to control and manipulate situations.

Make you an offer that you can't understand
Drawing attention to how illegal and unjust actions can be masked with promises and deals that are difficult to decipher.

From Main Street to Wall Street to Washington
Alluding to how corruption and greed can be found anywhere, on any spectrum from small towns to seats of power.

From men to women to men
Highlighting how everyone is subject to the influence of materialism.

It's a nation of noses pressed up against the glass
A metaphor for how everyone wants to be part of the elite, but only those at the top are actually living in luxury.

They've seen it on the TV
Acknowledging the influence of media on the appearance and ideal of success.

And they want it pretty fast
People want fulfillment, but some forget it takes hard work and time to achieve it.

You spend your whole life
Highlighting how time is the most valuable resource we all have.

Just pilin' it up there
Reminding us that merely accumulating material items alone doesn't bring happiness.

You got stacks and stacks and stacks
A reference to wealth accumulation not equating to greedy accumulation of monetary desires.

Then, Gabriel comes and taps you on the shoulder
A metaphor acknowledging that life eventually reaches an end.

But you don't see no hearses with luggage racks
Reiterating one can't take his possessions to the grave.

Gimme, gimme what you got
Echoing the chorus and highlighting how the desire for more never fades.

I said gimme, gimme what you got
Reiterating the chorus and highlighting how the desire for more never fades.

I said gimme, gimme what you got
Reiterating the chorus and highlighting how the desire for more never fades.

(I want it, I want it)
Succinctly summarizing the entire message of the song, the desire to seek more never ends.