Stone was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, and learned guitar at the age of five from his mother, also a country singer. As a teenager, he performed in skating rinks in his hometown and later moved on to playing area bars while working long hours as a mechanic during the day.
It took Stone several years to be “found” by his soon-to-be manager who helped him finally land a record deal with Epic. His self-titled debut was released in 1990 and broke him in a big way with the despairing lead single "I'd Be Better Off (In a Pine Box)," which shot into the country Top Five. Stone landed three more Top Ten hits from the album, including "Fourteen Minutes Old," "These Lips Don't Know How to Say Goodbye," and his first number one, "In a Different Light."
He quickly completed a follow-up album, I Thought It Was You, for release in 1991, which solidified his persona as country music’s suave song stylist and became his second straight million-seller on the strength of three Top Five hits: the title track, "Come In Out of the Pain," and a second number one in "A Jukebox With a Country Song."
Stone’s third album, 1992’s From the Heart, spun off one hit after another: "Warning Labels" and "Made for Lovin' You" went Top Ten, while "Too Busy Being in Love" and "Why Didn't I Think of That" topped the charts.n 2004, Doug Stone started a new chapter in his career and his life. After a brief hiatus from recording, a renewed interest in Doug's music by fans and radio made Doug one of the highlights at the 2004 Country Radio Seminar (CRS). The week of CRS, Doug joined Lofton Creek Records and reunited with a member of his former management team, Martha (Taylor) Borchetta who worked with Doug in the 90s.
Stone’s first album with Lofton Creek Records, In A Different Light, re-releases the original title track and “Why Didn’t I Think of That” from Stone’s library of hits. The album also contains Stone’s version of timeless classics as he artfully blends the traditional spirit of “Only You,” “Tell It Like It is,” “Georgia On My Mind” and “Crazy Love” with that famous Doug Stone style. The eight original songs on this album will both tug on heartstrings and invoke smiles—a task that only Stone can perform with such style and grace. With this new album, Lofton Creek Records is honored to place Doug Stone back in the spotlight.
Addicted to a Dollar
Doug Stone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and this black under my blue collar is his best pay dirt.
They work me hard from dawn to dusk
Doin' double time puttin' out sweat for a filthy buck.
F.I.C.A. and the state
They make my paycheck look like a big mistake.
Tax man takes his before I see a cent
[Chorus]
I'm addicted to a dollar , that ain't worth a dime.
I pick up my paycheck and pass it on down the line.
The more money that I'm making, the less I can call mine.
Well, I'm addicted to a dollar , that ain't worth a dime.
Got me more payments than I've got checks.
Ten more to go on this car, it's a wreck.
Landlord's at my door, it's a life of hard knocks.
When all I really want is my piece of the rock.
[Chorus: x 2]
The song "Addicted to a Dollar" by Doug Stone is a poignant commentary on how hard work does not always lead to financial stability. The lyrics describe the daily grind of a blue-collar worker who puts in eighty hours a week to make ends meet, all while feeling unappreciated by his employer. The black under his blue collar represents the sweat and toil that goes into his work, and he feels that his employer does not value his labor as much as they should.
Despite his hard work, the worker's paycheck is not enough to cover all of his bills. Taxes and other deductions such as F.I.C.A. and state taxes take a large chunk out of his paycheck, leaving him with next to nothing. The chorus highlights the irony and frustration of the situation, as the worker is "addicted to a dollar that ain't worth a dime." The more he works, the less he is able to keep for himself, as he is forced to make payments on a car that is falling apart and keep up with rent.
Line by Line Meaning
Eighty hours a week, that's what I call work
I work tirelessly for 80 hours a week
and this black under my blue collar is his best pay dirt.
All the hard work I do is still not good enough to earn me a decent wage
They work me hard from dawn to dusk
I work non-stop from sunrise to sunset
Doin' double time puttin' out sweat for a filthy buck.
I put in extra effort to earn meager wages
F.I.C.A. and the state
Social Security and tax authorities
They make my paycheck look like a big mistake.
After deductions, my salary looks unsatisfactory
Tax man takes his before I see a cent
The government takes its cut as soon as I get paid
And what they don't get, I've already spent.
I am struggling financially despite having little to no disposable income
I'm addicted to a dollar , that ain't worth a dime.
I am compelled to work for a meager wage
I pick up my paycheck and pass it on down the line.
I pay off my creditors with my salary, leaving nothing for myself
The more money that I'm making, the less I can call mine.
Even if I earn more, I still have little to no disposable income
Got me more payments than I've got checks.
I have more bills to pay than my salary can cover
Ten more to go on this car, it's a wreck.
I still owe money on my unreliable car
Landlord's at my door, it's a life of hard knocks.
My landlord is demanding payment for rent, despite my financial struggles
When all I really want is my piece of the rock.
All I want is a fair share of the income I work tirelessly to earn
Lyrics © ZELLS MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: DOUG STONE, KIM CHADWICK TRIBBLE, RAY HOOD, RAY MADDOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cyberfiend66
I saw Doug in concert last night for the second time. This is one of my favorite songs. He is AWESOME and certainly one very nice guy!!!
Delyn Rainwater
That’s cool! It sure looks like FUN!!
Denver Wagner
One of the best songs ever written!
Linda Poole
I first saw Doug Stone at a chili cookoff here in Georgia back in 1992, and saw him again in Macon, GA a couple of years ago at Whiskey River. I requested that he play this song, and I told him when I saw him play in Georgia. Doug pondered a moment and said that was a long time ago, and then he said "yeah this song should be our national anthem."
Jimmy Pummell
Linda Poole Ron Paul 4 ever!!!
Dave Wollenberg
You're right, James, it IS great! Doug hit #4 in Billboard, 5-7-94. God bless!
Loose Anus
Dave Wollenberg man I was 10 in 1994! I've been packin fudge a long time
0pher
The guitar solo in this is rockin’
Liane Layman
One of my favorite Doug songs.
Ioup1000
Met the guy in person he’s a coo guy . Saw him in the 90s in Corpus Christi, Texas , a venue called “ The Yellow Rose,