Nickel Song
Melanie Lyrics


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Well you know that I'm not a gambler
But I'm being gambled on
They put in a nickel and I sing a little song
Da-da-da-da
They put in a nickel and I sing a little song

Well, I don't mind that they're lucky
But it seems that they always win
And gamblin' is illegal in the state of mind I'm in
And if I had a nickel for each time that
I've been put on
I would be their nickel man
And I'd sing a little song

They're only putting in a nickel and
They want a dollar song
They're only putting in a little to
Get rid of a lot that's
Wrong.

Well I don't know so many things
But I know what's been goin' on
We're only putting in a little
To get rid of a lot that's wrong
And if we had a nickel for each time that
We've been put on
We'd all be their nickel man
And we'd sing a nickel song

You know they're only putting in a nickel
And they win a dollar song
Oh, yeah, they're only putting in a little
To get rid of a lot that's wrong




Oh, they're only putting in a nickel
To win a dollar song

Overall Meaning

Melanie's song The Nickel Song is a metaphor about the inequalities in society and how the wealthy exploit the less fortunate. The singer is being gambled on by the rich who are constantly making profit from her talent. She sings, "Well you know that I'm not a gambler, but I'm being gambled on. They put in a nickel and I sing a little song." Melanie implies that she doesn't have control over her own destiny, and the ones who have the power, use it to manipulate her. Despite the fact that they're just putting in a nickel, they're winning a dollar song. The song talks about how the rich take advantage of the poor's hard work and talent for their own benefit.


The lyrics also suggest that the people with money have an unfair advantage over those who don't. The line, "They're only putting in a little to get rid of a lot that's wrong" shows how a small investment can yield immense profits for the wealthy, while the poor struggle to get by. Melanie argues that this is unjust and that something needs to change. The line, "We're only putting in a little to get rid of a lot that's wrong," encourages people to demand fair treatment and stand up against exploitation.


Line by Line Meaning

Well you know that I'm not a gambler
I'm not one to take risky chances


But I'm being gambled on
But someone else is taking a risk with me


They put in a nickel and I sing a little song
They invest a small amount, and I provide a brief entertainment


Da-da-da-da
Vocalization indicating the melody of the song


Well, I don't mind that they're lucky
I'm not upset that they're fortunate


But it seems that they always win
But it's clear that they come out ahead


And gamblin' is illegal in the state of mind I'm in
And I personally don't approve of gambling


And if I had a nickel for each time that
If I received compensation every time


I've been put on
I've been used or taken advantage of


I would be their nickel man
I would have profited from their actions


And I'd sing a little song
And I would still provide a small form of entertainment


They're only putting in a nickel and
They're only investing a small amount and


They want a dollar song
They expect a much greater return


They're only putting in a little to
They're only offering a small amount in order to


Get rid of a lot that's
Resolve a greater issue that's


Wrong.


Well I don't know so many things
I'm not knowledgeable on various subjects


But I know what's been goin' on
But I'm aware of what's happening with this situation


We're only putting in a little
We're only offering a minimal investment


To get rid of a lot that's wrong
To fix a larger problem


And if we had a nickel for each time that
If we were compensated every time


We've been put on
We were taken advantage of


We'd all be their nickel man
We would have all profited from their actions


And we'd sing a nickel song
And we'd still offer a small form of entertainment


You know they're only putting in a nickel
It's important to recognize they're only offering a small amount


And they win a dollar song
But they expect a much greater reward


Oh, yeah, they're only putting in a little
They're only offering a small amount


To get rid of a lot that's wrong
To solve a larger issue


Oh, they're only putting in a nickel
They're only investing a small amount


To win a dollar song
In hopes of achieving a much greater return




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELANIE SAFKA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@vitobarfalone6060

The curse of living a long life is to see people you admire and respect leave this world.....peace be with you sweet lady....the world is a little darker without your bright light....

@mafirearmsafety

the upside is you see your enemies go to hell first

@robertdouglas8895

All minds are connected.

@robertdouglas8895

@@mafirearmsafety That sounds like hell to me. The world is a mirror.

@michaelwaters8879

News of her passing leaves a big hole in my heart.

@user-yj3ob9kd3l

I lost a dear friend last week. Every time we lose someone, a relationship ends, and that branch of life of our life ends. The longer we live, the fewer branches we have!! 😢

@rolandstroebel6185

Dear sweet Melanie, I was just 12 years old in 71 when I first heard this wonderful song and went and bought the 45 to play on my harmony kardon lp player. Thanks for such wonderful MEANINGFUL songs.
I'm so sad that God called you home A few weeks ago.
This world is a bit orphaned now without your lovely folk songs.
Rest well dear Melanie 😢❤

@ernst2225

We were sitting around a campfire in Finland in 1973. Everything was dark around us and then someone turned on the radio. The Nickel Song with Melanie and Me And Bobby Mc Gee with Janis Joplin was playing. I'll never forget that, because I was high up north with my German girlfriend-the time didn't matter and lots of mosquitoes were flying. I was in a sauna for the first time even with a lake .This year I was back in Finland after 50 years-more south and when I came to Germany I heard the "Nickelsong" on Youtube .I got a little sad because my youth with which I associate this song is over and my girlfriend, my later wife, died of cancer. When the tracks played, I cried.

@chrisdevalcourt648

Memories!
Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.
The circle of life.

@thetruth-bf6je

🙏❤️🇮🇪

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