In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
A Dollar's Worth Of Gasoline
Tom Russell Lyrics
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We have paid for our admission
And our dancing clothes are freshly cleaned
Now we're drivin' towards the judgement
On a dollar's worth of gasoline
Julio hits the boulevard runnin' scared and filled with hateful love
Was a dollar's worth of flaming petrol thrown inside the social club
Where upstairs his Honduran friends were drunk on the American Dream
Yah they were ready for, ready for their glory ride on a dollar's worth of gasoline
Oh Happy Lands, Oh Happy Lands
We have paid for our admission
And our dancing clothes are freshly cleaned
Now we're drivin' towards the judgement
On a dollar's worth of gasoline
Oh, the banana daiquiris, the exotic drinks from many foreign lands
But when the smoke hit their lungs, they died with their drinks in their hands
Oh Julio, poor Julio, all twisted up with his romantic need
Poor real estate developers all twisted up with their greed
Oh Happy Lands, Oh Happy Lands
We have paid for our admission
And our dancing clothes are freshly cleaned
Now we're drivin' towards the judgement
On a dollar's worth of gasoline
87 people with a smoky taste of hell on earth
87 coffins lined up all around the big cathedral church
"Building Violations!" the politicians beat their chests and screamed
Well they got a lot of mileage on a dollar's worth of gasoline
Oh Happy Lands, Oh Happy Lands
We have paid for our admission
And our dancing clothes are freshly cleaned
Now we're drivin' towards the judgement
On a dollar's worth of gasoline
Oh Happy Lands, Oh Happy Lands
We have paid for our admission
And our dancing clothes are freshly cleaned
Now we're drivin' towards the judgement
On a dollar's worth of gasoline
Now we're drivin' towards the judgement
On a dollar's worth of gasoline
Tom Russell’s "A Dollar's Worth Of Gasoline" is a powerful song that tackles a number of issues in American society. The Happy Lands represent the American Dream, or the illusion of it at least. The people have paid their admission fee, meaning they’ve worked hard and paid their dues, and now they’re ready to enjoy their wealth and success. However, the rest of the song paints a much darker picture of this dream. Julio is full of “hateful love” and throws a dollar’s worth of petrol into a club, killing his friends who were drunk on the American Dream. The song continues to reflect racial tensions, with references to "Honduran friends" and "real estate developers" who are "twisted" by their greed. The shocking death toll of 87 people is met with the politicians’ cries of "Building Violations!" proving that the tragedy was not a freak accident, but rather something systemic, born out of political greed.
Russell’s song is a commentary on the darker side of America, one in which racial tensions, inequality, and political corruption result in catastrophic consequences. The dollar’s worth of gasoline becomes a metaphor for the destructive force that fuels this dark underbelly of American society. The Happy Lands, it seems, are only happy for some, and for others, it’s a place of pain and suffering, symbolized by the coffins lined up around the cathedral church.
Overall, "A Dollar's Worth Of Gasoline" is a poignant song that uses powerful imagery and poignant lyrics to highlight the flaws of the American system. Russell's lyrics are full of pathos, painting a portrait of a time and place in which inequality and racial tensions often result in tragedy and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Happy Lands, Oh Happy Lands
A phrase repeated throughout the song, possibly referencing a false sense of happiness or contentment
We have paid for our admission
We believe we've done what we needed to gain entry into a world of success
And our dancing clothes are freshly cleaned
We're dressed up to succeed and make a big impression
Now we're drivin' towards the judgement
Our actions and choices are leading us towards a defining moment of consequence
On a dollar's worth of gasoline
Our actions and choices are cheap and fueled by greed or desperation
Julio hits the boulevard runnin' scared and filled with hateful love
A man named Julio is depicted as desperate, afraid, and motivated by a distorted sense of passion
Was a dollar's worth of flaming petrol thrown inside the social club
Violence and destruction occur as a result of cheap, reckless actions
Where upstairs his Honduran friends were drunk on the American Dream
The victims of the aforementioned violence are depicted as being caught up in a false sense of hope or opportunity
Yah they were ready for, ready for their glory ride on a dollar's worth of gasoline
The victims were prepared for their success and were on the brink of realizing it before their sudden, tragic fate
Oh, the banana daiquiris, the exotic drinks from many foreign lands
The allure of material success and the trappings of luxury
But when the smoke hit their lungs, they died with their drinks in their hands
The consequences of recklessness or greed can be sudden and deadly
Oh Julio, poor Julio, all twisted up with his romantic need
The character of Julio is portrayed as a slave of unrealistic or misguided desires
Poor real estate developers all twisted up with their greed
The characters who've exploited others for material success are depicted as being trapped or consumed by their own greed
87 people with a smoky taste of hell on earth
A description of the aftermath of the tragedy; the survivors are left with an indelible sense of horror
87 coffins lined up all around the big cathedral church
The physical manifestation of the tragedy; the victims are mourned and honored
"Building Violations!" the politicians beat their chests and screamed
The officials responsible for regulating safety and construction are depicted as being more interested in scoring political points than in preventing tragedy
Well they got a lot of mileage on a dollar's worth of gasoline
The actions of the greedy and reckless are cheap but also cause untold damage and loss
Contributed by Nolan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.