Rusty Old Steampipes
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Lyrics


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Wish me luck give me somethin'
Help me out and I'll go there
Wish me luck give me somethin'
Help me out and I'll go there

All I want is a brand new truck
With one eyed jacks and beginners luck
The doctors script for the perfect drug
Get it all while I can

But I got no money and I got no man
I drive around in a beat up van
I ride on coffee and percodan
Get it all while I can, get it all while I can

Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Come on now

So people tell me to clean up my mess
Like I was sweet sixteen in a dirty dress
But I'm wiser now so I must confess
That I get it all while I can, yeah
I get it all while I can

Is that too much to ask?

Is that too much to ask?
Somebody told me
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Just make it real and make it last

Someday maybe I'll understand
This crazy old life is in my hands
Someday maybe I'll figure it out
Somebody help me anybody tell me

Wish me luck give me somethin'
Help me out and I'll go there
Wish me luck give me somethin'
Make it real and make it last

[Incomprehensible]

Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Somebody told me
Is that too much to ask?




Is that too much to ask?
Just make it real and make it last

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Rusty Old Steampipes" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole are about a person who desires a better life but feels trapped by their current circumstances. The singer wishes for luck and something to help them out, to give them the opportunity to achieve their desires. These desires are expressed through the repeated refrain of "get it all while I can," indicating a sense of urgency and a desire to make the most of life while they still have the chance.


The singer describes their current situation as one of poverty and struggle. They have no money and no partner, driving around in a beat-up van and relying on coffee and percodan to keep them going. The desire for a "brand new truck" and "perfect drug" represents a longing for a better life with material possessions and ease of living.


Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that they may not understand everything about life, but they want to make the most of it while they can. The repeated question of "is that too much to ask?" suggests a frustration with feeling stuck and unable to achieve their desires. However, the final line of "just make it real and make it last" implies a hope that things can change for the better.


Line by Line Meaning

Wish me luck give me somethin'
Asking for assistance and support in achieving goals


Help me out and I'll go there
Promising to reciprocate help if received


All I want is a brand new truck
Desiring material possessions


With one eyed jacks and beginners luck
Favorable circumstances and luck for success


The doctors script for the perfect drug
Desiring pharmaceuticals for pleasure or escape


Get it all while I can
Prioritizing immediate gratification


But I got no money and I got no man
Lacking financial stability and a partner in life


I drive around in a beat up van
Having a run-down mode of transportation


I ride on coffee and percodan
Using drugs to complement daily activities


Is that too much to ask?
Questioning the feasibility of desires becoming reality


So people tell me to clean up my mess
Receiving criticism for personal choices and actions


Like I was sweet sixteen in a dirty dress
Being judged or treated unfairly by others


But I'm wiser now so I must confess
Acknowledging personal growth and reflection


That I get it all while I can, yeah
Continuing to prioritize immediate gratification


Somebody help me anybody tell me
Seeking guidance and advice from others


Make it real and make it last
Desiring long-lasting, genuine experiences


Someday maybe I'll understand
Hoping for clarity and insight in the future


This crazy old life is in my hands
Acknowledging personal responsibility for one's life


Someday maybe I'll figure it out
Hoping to find answers and solutions


Just make it real and make it last
Reiterating the desire for authentic and lasting experiences




Contributed by Ruby B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

geothermal

Rusty old steam pipes bangin away
Letting me know it's another day
In hell
In a cell
He did wrong and he agree's
So punish him with humanity
For he's a human
He's not a dog

Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song

Twenty three hour's in a lifeless cell
Day after day it's the same old hell
Who know's why
I'd like to know
I wish I knew the answer for this
To release his soul from captivity
Oh lord
Hear his plea

Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song

Rusty old steam pipes bangin away 3x
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song



All comments from YouTube:

Scott Allard

The lyrics, the harmony; another amazing song by this talented group.

geothermal

Rusty old steam pipes bangin away
Letting me know it's another day
In hell
In a cell
He did wrong and he agree's
So punish him with humanity
For he's a human
He's not a dog

Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song

Twenty three hour's in a lifeless cell
Day after day it's the same old hell
Who know's why
I'd like to know
I wish I knew the answer for this
To release his soul from captivity
Oh lord
Hear his plea

Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song

Rusty old steam pipes bangin away 3x
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song

Sandra Escudero

Qué hermosa melodía!!!!!!!
Gracias gran IZ por tu talento musical y tu voz tan maravillosa y dulce!!!!!!
Un placer para los oídos y el alma!!!!!!
❤💕💖😔😔🙏🙏

AOUSCHE THE DUDE

HEARD THIS IN THE GYM IN HALAWA IN 1996...UNCLE WARREN SANG IT...THERE WASN'T A DRY EYE IN THAT GYM...I JUST LISTENED TO IT 9/17/2019 AND THANK YOU IZ !!!! 25 YEARS LATER IT STILL BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES....I WON'T FORGET WHERE I'VE BEEN....

kala5583

I saw em the same time lol, never forget where I came from! Mahalo

Lydia Torrence

Love this. I’m sure my cousin n ex felt they needed to be free physically emotionally spiritually. No one should be locked up like animals in a kennel. Especially for expired license.

Jose Marcos

A melodia e a base para para uma reliacao nois pode chegar no alto moreno tiamo vida ❤❤❤❤

Carrie Bowlen

this a great song I love there voices together!

Trevor Smale

A pleasure to listen to this man sing.

mjm -

This song never gets old ….

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