3 Dimes Down
Drive-By Truckers Lyrics


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It was a straight shot
All it took was luck to not get caught
I laid three dimes down and the machine wanted 25 cents
In the back seat her and a friend,
One out the window and the other on the other end
One belt loop away from Sunday night's news

If the part about being who he was didn't help Tom get loose,
What's a guy without a T. gonna get? Totally screwed,
While chicken wing puke eats the candy apple red off his Corvette




Three dimes down and 25 cents shy of a slice of the Double-mint twins
Come back baby, Rock and Roll never forgets

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of the song "3 Dimes Down" by Drive-By Truckers is a reference to the condition of an American social class of people who live in the rural southern regions of the United States. These people, who are often referred to as the "poor white trash," are faced with difficult living conditions and could not afford to invest heavily in their future. The song suggests that sometimes it all boils down to luck in life. The singer of the song succeeded in his venture to gain entry into a club without being caught while only investing three dimes instead of the required amount of twenty-five cents.


The second paragraph of the song refers to the luck of the singer, who had managed to escape being caught. The second line, "What's a guy without a T. gonna get? Totally screwed," is a reference to Tom Petty, who is famous for his hit song "Free Fallin" that features the lyrics, "She's a good girl, loves her mama, loves Jesus and America too." In the song "3 Dimes Down," Petty is seen as an icon of Americana, and not having his support is a massive disadvantage. The song's last line, "Come back baby, Rock and Roll never forgets," is a call for the rock and roll genre's return to its roots.


Line by Line Meaning

It was a straight shot
Everything went according to plan


All it took was luck to not get caught
Success depended on avoiding detection


I laid three dimes down and the machine wanted 25 cents
The cost was more than originally anticipated


In the back seat her and a friend,
Two women were in the car's rear compartment


One out the window and the other on the other end
One woman was hanging onto the outside of the car, while the other was talking on the phone


One belt loop away from Sunday night's news
Disastrous consequences were imminent


If the part about being who he was didn't help Tom get loose,
Tom's identity was his only hope for escaping trouble


What's a guy without a T. gonna get? Totally screwed,
If Tom couldn't use his name to his advantage, he was doomed.


While chicken wing puke eats the candy apple red off his Corvette
Tom's car was being damaged by vomit


Three dimes down and 25 cents shy of a slice of the Double-mint twins
The artist's resources were insufficient for his desires.


Come back baby, Rock and Roll never forgets
The song's plaintive refrain, restating its title




Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN MICHAEL COOLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@mennisdink5175

This is what music should be like; no frills and bullshit, just a drum kit and a bunch of guitars!! DBT nail it everytime!

@atavisticarts2524

agreed, you may want to look into the yawpers fyi. boot stompin rock.

@seanyoung3865

one of the greatest songs ever

@heimdog2623

I agree 25 cent

@blueswasthecatalyst7758

One of their greatest that's for certain.

@gavindies7271

"I laid three dimes down and the machine wanted 25 cents." That explains my life.

@GeoBlake

one of my favorite songs

@kkoo3247

Nice song. Great beat

@youseetoo

cool song. Great guitars!

@1789Louise

Very well said. Someone who gets it.

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