The four-time Grammy winner has acted in a number of films and been a guest-star on television. Lovett was married to actress Julia Roberts for a short time in the mid-1990s. In 2002, he was gored by a bull while working on his uncle's farm in Texas, but soon recovered and resumed touring.
Election Day
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
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It cost me too much money and it probably ain't enough
To get me through election day
Didn't I hear you say
"It's all right, it's all right, it's all right."
No it wouldn't weigh a thing
It's hardly worth your time
And then I feel burglary
Why don't you just go and see
It'll be all right, be all right, be all right
Hey mister policeman, please don't take my stuff
It cost me too much money and it probably ain't enough
To get me through election day
Didn't I hear you say
"It's all right, it's all right, it's all right."
In Lyle Lovett's song Election Day, the singer pleads with a police officer not to take his belongings because they cost him too much money and he needs them to get through Election Day. The lyrics suggest a sense of desperation and vulnerability, as the singer is willing to appeal to authority in order to hold onto his possessions. However, the reference to Election Day itself adds an interesting layer of complexity to the song. It's unclear whether the singer is simply using the day as a way to plead his case (perhaps hoping that the officer will be more sympathetic due to the significance of the day), or if there's a more nuanced connection between the singer's plight and the political context of the election.
The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "It's all right, it's all right, it's all right," adds to this uncertainty. On one hand, it could be interpreted as the policeman reassuring the singer that he won't take his belongings. On the other hand, it could be seen as a cynical comment on the idea that everything will be alright on Election Day, even though the reality is often much more complicated and messy. Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the intersections of power, politics, and personal struggle, rendered through Lovett's unique blend of storytelling, humor, and emotional depth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mister policeman, please don't take my stuff
The singer requests the officer not to confiscate his belongings.
It cost me too much money and it probably ain't enough
The singer expresses that the seized possessions cost him dearly and may not suffice for his needs.
To get me through election day
The singer implies that the confiscated items are vital for him on election day.
Didn't I hear you say, 'It's all right, it's all right, it's all right.'
The artist recalls the officer's assurance that everything will be fine.
No it wouldn't weigh a thing
The artist suggests that his possessions are not substantial enough to be considered a threat to society.
It's hardly worth your time
The singer indicates that confiscating his things would not be worth the officer's effort.
Luck's been bad, the telephone just kept my only dime
The singer laments his misfortune, as he has run out of coins with which to make a call.
And then I feel burglary
The artist senses that he may become a victim of theft.
Why don't you just go and see
The artist invites the officer to inspect his situation and understand his distress.
It'll be all right, be all right, be all right
The artist reiterates the hope that his predicament will ultimately subside.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL DAVID FULLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind