The lyrics tell a story of a derelict (Washburn), chosen by a well-meaning charity for a wash-up and a meal. Washburn rejects the offer, though, preferring his jobless, drunken but easygoing lifestyle to a life of responsibility. He mentions, "I do believe I got it made".
The Monkees' version of "D.W. Washburn" was the first single they released after the second and final season of their series on NBC concluded. All their previous singles reached the #1, #2, or #3 positions from strong promotion through their use in various episodes; without this boost, the song became the band's first to miss the Top Ten in the U.S. Billboard charts, reaching #19.[1] Micky Dolenz sings the song in a high falsetto, and is in the honky tonk style from the 1920s and 1930s.
The Coasters released their version of the song in July 1968. They had recorded the song on October 31, 1967 with Date Records. The B-side of the song was "Everybody's Woman."
A medley. "D.W. Washburn/L. David Sloane (A Good Man Is Hard To Find)" by the Hutch Davie Calliope Band, entered the Cashbox "Looking Ahead" survey on 8/25/68.
The Monkees continued to perform the song, during their 1980s and later reunions. One performance was on Nashville Now; a country music showcase.
D.W. Washburn
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
D.W. Washburn, this is your lucky day.
A hot bowl of soup is waitin'.
A hot bowl of soup and a shave.
D.W. Washburn, we picked you to say.
Can't you hear the bugle call? Can't you hear the bells?
Even you can be reborn, you naughty
If you don't get out of that gutter,
before the next big rain.
D.W. Wahsburn, you're gonna wash right down the drain.
Up, up, come on get up off your street.
If you can only make it from your hands to your knees,
I know you can make it to your feet. Wooah!
D.W. Washburn, I said to myself.
D.W. Washburn, why don't you go save sombody else?
Well, I got no job to go to.
I don't work and I don't get paid.
I got a bottle of wine, I'm feelin' fine.
And I believe I got it made.
I'd like to thank all you good people
for comin' to my aid.
But I'm D.W. Washburn.
I do believe I got it made.
I do believe I got it made, don't need nobody.
I do believe I got it made, I do believe I got it made.
The Monkees's song D.W. Washburn tells the tale of a man named D.W. Washburn who is down on his luck and living in poverty. The singer hears a voice tell D.W. that he is being picked to be redeemed and given a second chance. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is given a hot bowl of soup and a shave and encouraged to get off the streets and turn his life around.
The lyrics also suggest that if D.W. does not take the opportunity to better himself, he will wash right down the drain. The question is raised of why D.W. does not go and try to save someone else, rather than focusing on himself. The song concludes with D.W. essentially declaring that he does not need anyone else and that he has it made.
The song contains themes of redemption, second chances, and the importance of taking advantage of opportunities presented. It also serves as a commentary on poverty and the struggles of those who are living in it.
Line by Line Meaning
D.W. Washburn, I heard a sweet voice say.
Someone spoke to D.W. Washburn in a pleasant voice.
D.W. Washburn, this is your lucky day.
Something fortunate has happened to D.W. Washburn.
A hot bowl of soup is waitin'.
There is a warm meal waiting for D.W. Washburn.
A hot bowl of soup and a shave.
D.W. Washburn will receive both a meal and a shave.
D.W. Washburn, we picked you to say.
D.W. Washburn was selected to do something.
Can't you hear the bugle call? Can't you hear the bells?
There is a call to action that needs to be answered.
Even you can be reborn, you naughty
Anyone can change and turn their life around, including D.W. Washburn.
If you don't get out of that gutter,
D.W. Washburn needs to leave his current situation.
before the next big rain.
He must act quickly to avoid more trouble.
D.W. Washburn, you're gonna wash right down the drain.
D.W. Washburn's current path will lead to destruction.
Up, up, come on get up off your street.
D.W. Washburn needs to get up and leave his current location.
If you can only make it from your hands to your knees,
Even making a small effort is progress.
I know you can make it to your feet. Wooah!
D.W. Washburn has the potential to do more.
D.W. Washburn, I said to myself.
The singer spoke to themselves about D.W. Washburn.
D.W. Washburn, why don't you go save sombody else?
D.W. Washburn should help someone else instead of himself.
Well, I got no job to go to.
D.W. Washburn is unemployed.
I don't work and I don't get paid.
D.W. Washburn doesn't have a source of income.
I got a bottle of wine, I'm feelin' fine.
D.W. Washburn has some alcohol and is intoxicated.
And I believe I got it made.
D.W. Washburn thinks he has everything he needs.
I'd like to thank all you good people
D.W. Washburn is grateful to those who helped him.
for comin' to my aid.
Those people assisted D.W. Washburn in some way.
But I'm D.W. Washburn.
D.W. Washburn is content with who he is.
I do believe I got it made.
D.W. Washburn thinks he's doing well and doesn't require assistance.
Don't need nobody.
D.W. Washburn doesn't want or require anyone's help.
I do believe I got it made, I do believe I got it made.
D.W. Washburn is convinced that everything is going well for him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
A good song by The Monkees.