Gilmore also played "Smokey" in The Big Lebowski
Standin' on the Corner
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Lyrics
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Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Matter of fact, neither do I
Than standing on a corner, watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
I haven't got a girl but I can dream
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
So I take me down to main street
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
You find me standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Hanging around the corner giving all the girls the eye
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try standing on a corner, watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
It's Saturday and I'm so broke, I couldn't buy a girl a five cent pork
Still I'm living like a millionaire when I take me down the main street
And I review the harem parading for me there
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Hanging around the corner underneath the spring time sky
Brother you'll never go to jail for what you're thinking
Or for that look in your eye
Try standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls
go by.
Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Standin' on the Corner" is a song about the joy of people-watching, particularly of the opposite sex. The singer is standing on a street corner and admiring the women as they pass by. He notes that he doesn't have a girlfriend or a date, but he is content to watch the parade of women passing by. The song celebrates the beauty of women and the joy of sitting idly by and watching the world go by.
The singer suggests that there is no nicer occupation than standing on the corner and watching women walk by. He describes himself as the cat that's got the cream, happy with what he has, even if it isn't a girlfriend. He notes that he hasn't got a girl, but he can dream and wish for one. The song is about finding happiness in the simple things in life, and the pleasure of being content with what you have.
The lyrics suggest that standing on a street corner and watching women is a harmless activity. The singer acknowledges that he's just looking and doesn't intend to do any harm. He suggests that if you have a rich imagination, you can enjoy standing there too. He also notes that you won't go to jail for what you're thinking or for that look in your eye. The song celebrates the joy of people-watching and of appreciating the beauty of the world around you.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Observing the women walking by on the street corner
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
There is no better pastime than standing and watching people
Matter of fact, neither do I
Indeed, I also think that there is no better pastime than standing and watching people
Than standing on a corner, watching all the girls
Observing women on the street corner is a very enjoyable activity
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
It's highly entertaining to watch women walk by on the street
I'm the cat that's got the cream
I feel incredibly satisfied and content
I haven't got a girl but I can dream
Although I'm single, I can still fantasize about being with someone
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
Even though I don't have a romantic partner, I can still hope to find one
So I take me down to main street
I go to the busiest part of town
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
That's where I imagine myself being with the woman of my dreams
You find me standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
I can usually be found observing women on the street corner
Hanging around the corner giving all the girls the eye
I watch women with intense interest as they pass me by
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
If you have a vivid imagination
Give it a whirl, give it a try
You should try engaging in this enjoyable pastime
It's Saturday and I'm so broke, I couldn't buy a girl a five cent pork
Even though I'm poor, I'm still enjoying myself today
Still I'm living like a millionaire when I take me down the main street
Despite my financial situation, I feel like I'm living extravagantly when I visit the busy part of town
And I review the harem parading for me there
I admire the group of women who are walking by
Hanging around the corner underneath the spring time sky
Standing and watching women during the pleasant springtime
Brother you'll never go to jail for what you're thinking
It's not a crime to merely think about women, even in a romantic or sexual way
Or for that look in your eye
It's also not a crime to have a certain look on your face while you observe women
Try standing on the corner watching all the girls
You should attempt to stand and observe the women passing by
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
It's an enjoyable activity to observe women on the street
Contributed by Zoe Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.