This One
Shawn Mullins Lyrics


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If the timing's right
No need to worry about what's right and what is wrong
And if the market's right
We can sell the livin' hell out of your song
Cause I know what they want to hear
Yea I can see the light
But just a few adjustments dear
Change the way you sing
The way you play
The way you write
And if my mood is right
I'll give you money or support whichever's less
Not sure the image is right
I think for starters we should put you in a dress
'Cause we are patrons of the arts
Yea we believe in you and what it is you do
But just remember parts is parts
We'll see what sticks
I hope for your sake it will be you
And if the price was right
I'd sell the soul of my own mother in a shake
And that I can't deny
I wonder how much money could I make
What are you complaining for
It's simply economics
You still got your vocal chords
So get the hell out of my office
And write me some hits,
Write me some hits,




I don't hear no hits,
I don't hear no hits.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Shawn Mullins's song "This One" appear to be a commentary on the music industry and the compromises artists may have to make in order to achieve success. The first verse suggests that if the timing is right and the market is favorable, an artist may be able to sell their music successfully, regardless of whether it is artistically valid or not. The second verse continues this theme, with the singer suggesting that an artist should mold themselves to fit the expectations of the industry, even if it means changing their style, image, or persona.


The chorus features the singer boasting that they could sell anything for the right price, including the soul of their own mother, and belittling the artist for not being able to produce hits. The final line, "I don't hear no hits," implies that the singer's only concern is commercial success and that artistic integrity is not a priority.


Overall, the lyrics of "This One" appear to be a critical commentary on the music industry and the ways in which artists may be pressured to compromise their artistic vision in order to achieve success. The song highlights the tension between commercial considerations and artistic integrity and raises questions about the nature of success in the music industry.


Line by Line Meaning

If the timing's right
If the circumstances are opportune


No need to worry about what's right and what is wrong
Morals or ethics can be disregarded in favor of success


And if the market's right
If consumer demand is high


We can sell the livin' hell out of your song
You will be marketed for the purpose of financial gain


Cause I know what they want to hear
I am aware of what the audience desires


Yea I can see the light
I can envision your success


But just a few adjustments dear
Some changes are necessary


Change the way you sing
Alter your vocal style


The way you play
Change your musical performance


The way you write
Change your songwriting style


And if my mood is right
If I am feeling generous


I'll give you money or support whichever's less
You will receive financial assistance, unless I provide support instead


Not sure the image is right
I am uncertain about your public persona


I think for starters we should put you in a dress
I suggest altering your appearance to appeal to certain audiences


'Cause we are patrons of the arts
We provide financial support to artists in order to further our own interests


Yea we believe in you and what it is you do
We have faith in your abilities to generate income


But just remember parts is parts
You are merely a commodity to us


We'll see what sticks
We will experiment and adjust the marketing strategy as necessary


I hope for your sake it will be you
I hope that you are successful and generate income for us


And if the price was right
If the financial gain was significant enough


I'd sell the soul of my own mother in a shake
I am willing to do anything for monetary gain


And that I can't deny
I acknowledge this about myself


I wonder how much money could I make
I am only interested in the financial gain from this venture


What are you complaining for
Why are you expressing dissatisfaction?


It's simply economics
This is just business


You still got your vocal chords
You are still capable of generating income


So get the hell out of my office
Leave my workplace immediately


And write me some hits,
Create successful songs for me


Write me some hits,
Create successful songs for me


I don't hear no hits,
Your current material is not generating income for us


I don't hear no hits.
Your current material is not generating income for us




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@johncarroll7500

I Can..🤔👉 Only Imagine🛵
Life Laughing Crying
Getting Back Up
AND 🕶
👑🙇Dusting...👉👣💞
😁🤚🤓🤘Yourself Off
AND Continuing Forward
To The Next..🛵. Rollercoaster Ride
😁👉💞🤘🤓☝



@bstorm123

She grew up with the children of the stars
In the Hollywood hills and the boulevards
Her parents threw big parties
Everyone was there
They hung out with folks like Dennis Hopper and Bob Seger and
Sonny and Cher

She feels safe now in this bar on Fairfax
And from the stage I can tell that she can't let go and she can't
Relax
And just before she hangs her head to cry
I sing to her a lullaby
I sing:

Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye

She still lives with her mom outside the city
Down that street about a half a mile
And all her friends tell her she's so pretty
But she'd be a whole lot prettier if she smiled once in a while
'Cause even her smile looks like a frown
She's seen her share of devils in this angel town

Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye

I told her I ain't so sure about this place
It's hard to play a gig in this town and keep a straight face
Seems like everybody's got a plan
It's kind of like Nashville with a tan

Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye



All comments from YouTube:

@WhatInTarnation98

My Dad use to sing this to me when i was a little girl...sure do miss that old man. Fly high Daddy Rockabye💔

@johncarroll7500

I Can..🤔👉 Only Imagine🛵
Life Laughing Crying
Getting Back Up
AND 🕶
👑🙇Dusting...👉👣💞
😁🤚🤓🤘Yourself Off
AND Continuing Forward
To The Next..🛵. Rollercoaster Ride
😁👉💞🤘🤓☝

@WhatInTarnation98

@@johncarroll7500 one day at a time, one roller coaster ride at a time🤘🤙

@erbrae2309

My mom would sing this & dance in the “90’s” spinning around throwing hand up type. It makes me happy to look back, smiling at her. RIP momma ❤️😇🥰

@michellebrumfield7532

@@johncarroll7500 5AM 74444 a 4man in 444

@michellebrumfield7532

@@erbrae2309 554inches 55555yards the best definition 55inches in this world of the best in America I 5555545

22 More Replies...

@zachcharleston2594

born in 88; I recently re-discovered this song and had it on repeat; just completely took hold of me and took me back to another place in time. 90s were something

@letgo84

❤ 🎵🎶

@JohnnyFlash-

Rick Dees Top 40 jogging at 7:30am on a Saturday.

@Rhsbaseball0505

I was in 4th grade at halloween when this came out, born in 88 too of november

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