Easy Street
Stan Kenton & June Christy Lyrics
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Our sainted mother
Would sit and croon us
Her lullaby
She'd say, kids, there's a place
That's like no other
You got to get there before you die
You don't get there
By playing from the rule book
You stack the ages
You load the dice
Mother dear
Oh, we know you're down there listening
How can we follow
Your sweet
Advice
To
Easy street
Easy street
Where you sleep till noon
Yeah, yeah, yeah
She'd repeat
Easy street
Better get there soon.
Easy street
Easy street
Where the rich folks play
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Move them feet
Move them ever-lovin' feet
To easy street
Easy street
When you get there stay
It ain't fair
How we scrounge
For three of four bucks
While she gets
Warbucks
The little brat!
It ain't fair this here life
Is drivin' me nuts!
While we get peanuts
She's livin' fat!
Maybe she holds the key
That little lady
To gettin' more bucks
Instead of less
Maybe we fix the game
With something shady
Where does that put us?
Oh, tell her.
Yes!
Easy street
Easy street
Annie is the key
Yes sirree
Yes sirree
Yes sirree
Easy street
Easy street
That's where we're gonna
Be!
The lyrics to Stan Kenton and June Christy's "Easy Street" depict a group of siblings reminiscing about their mother's lullabies of an extravagant place called Easy Street, where one can sleep until noon and where rich people play. The mother would urge her children to get there before they die, but she would advise them that this was not possible by playing by the rule book. This means that one must think outside the box, stack the ages, and load the dice with a stroke of luck.
The siblings feel that it is unfair to scrounge for three or four bucks while Annie, the "little brat", lives "fat" because she has Warbucks. To get more bucks, the siblings contemplate fixing the game with something shady and wonder where it would put them in the end. Finally, they agree with their mother's advice and decide that Annie holds the key to getting to Easy Street.
The song is a reflection of the American Dream, where individuals aspire to a better life by rising through the ranks and accumulating wealth. The siblings' desire for a better life is palpable in the song's lyrics, depicting their struggle to make ends meet while they yearn for the affluent lifestyle they have heard of from their mother.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the way
I recall how it used to be
Our sainted mother
Our beloved mother, who is now deceased
Would sit and croon us
She would sing to us in a soft, gentle voice
Her lullaby
Her song meant to lull us to sleep
She'd say, kids, there's a place
She often talked about a particular place
That's like no other
This place was quite unique
You got to get there before you die
You must reach this place before you pass away
You don't get there
The destination isn't achieved
By playing from the rule book
Following the rules isn't enough
You stack the ages
You combine the years that have passed
You load the dice
You manipulate the outcome to your advantage
Mother dear
My dear mother
Oh, we know you're down there listening
We are aware that you can hear us from wherever you may be
How can we follow
We want to heed your advice
Your sweet
Your kind and loving
Advice
The guidance you give us
To Easy street
To a life of comfort and luxury
Where you sleep till noon
A place where you can sleep peacefully until the afternoon
She'd repeat
The sentiment was something she frequently shared
Easy street
A life of ease and opulence
Better get there soon.
It is better to arrive there quickly
Where the rich folks play
Where wealthy people gather and enjoy themselves
Move them feet
Take action, start moving
Move them ever-lovin' feet
Move your feet faster, with more intensity
To easy street
Towards the luxurious and comfortable life
When you get there stay
Once you reach there, don't leave
It ain't fair
Life is not just
How we scrounge
We have to struggle to get by
For three of four bucks
For just a few dollars
While she gets
While somebody else has access to
Warbucks
Substantial amount of money
The little brat!
Referring to someone who is young and wealthy
It ain't fair this here life
This life isn't fair to us
Is drivin' me nuts!
It is making me go insane
While we get peanuts
While we receive very little
She's livin' fat!
She's living a life of luxury
Maybe she holds the key
Perhaps she has the answer
That little lady
The person we've been talking about
To gettin' more bucks
To earning more money
Instead of less
Opposite to losing money
Maybe we fix the game
Maybe we should cheat
With something shady
Using dishonest means to win
Where does that put us?
What will be our position then?
Oh, tell her.
We should inform her
Yes!
That's right!
Annie is the key
Annie has the answer
That's where we're gonna be!
That's where we aim to end up
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jourwalis
Not bad sound-quality to be from 1951!
Alan Witton
Beautiful