Murphy has performed twice at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and in Italy, France and other European countries. She also teaches Italian cooking and supports outreach programs for middle school-aged girls. Murphy's music features story-telling and personal expression. In her own words, the challenge to her songwriting "is to evoke as many images as possible with as few words as possible."
Murphy made her 2005 record release, Girls Get In Free following a sabbatical from performing and a period of personal difficulties. This record combined Murphy's music with a cause she supports as the CD release party benefitted GENAustin, a non-profit outreach program that helps middle school-aged girls develop strong self-esteem. Murphy is also a member of GENAustin's Board of Directors.
Today Murphy performs solo, with her rock band, and as part of a 70s tribute band, SKYROCKET!. Murphy also teaches Italian cooking using recipes learned from her grandmother at Austin's Central Market and other cooking schools.
Concession Stand Song
Trish Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pinch the babies,
Make em cry and hollar.
Baby, don't know where you've been.
You looked just like that when you were smaller.
Here comes Venus,
Rolling her eyes.
She's gonna show you how to criticise your loved ones.
Sure it's working but
Couldn't you shine it up some?
Tell your babies what you know,
Drop em in the river and watch em go.
Take em down, it's up to you.
Tell your pretty children
The ugly truth.
Well I was still a waitress
Way back then
But if I'd had my way, I would have been a dancer.
But momma she said, "I said no."
At least I never took no for an answer.
Isn't it easy when you've got no choice.
Pay no mind to the sound of your voice cryin'.
Troubles they're a dime a dozen.
Fillin my pockets when I wasn't even tryin'.
Tell your babies what you know,
Drop em in the river and watch em go.
Take em down, it's up to you.
Tell your pretty children
The ugly truth.
Step right up and roll the dice
And all this can be your if the price is right.
No one moves, nobody gets hurt.
You're still lying in the dirt at daylight.
I found you in the driveway with my flashlight.
Tell your babies what you know,
Drop em in the river and watch em go.
Take em down, it's up to you.
Tell your pretty children
Tell your babies what you know,
Drop em in the river and watch em go.
Take em down, it's up to you.
Tell your pretty children
The ugly truth.
The Concession Stand Song by Trish Murphy is a surprisingly deep and thought-provoking song that seems to be laced with a great deal of irony and subtle satire. The lyrics take an introspective turn as they seem to comment on issues of power, control, and manipulation. In the opening verses, the song appears to be commenting on the concept of bullying, where someone who has been victimized seeks to redress their grievances by victimizing others, in a sense becoming what they hate. The lyrics in the chorus, "tell your babies what you know, drop them in the river and watch them go. Take them down, it's up to you, tell your pretty children the ugly truth", further compounds this idea with a somewhat sinister subtext, as if to suggest that pain and suffering are an inevitable part of the human experience and we should learn how to accept it and pass it on.
The second half of the song changes direction, with the lyrics focusing on the singer's own experiences, her desire to follow her dreams, and her struggles to overcome her own limitations. The most powerful image of the song comes in the bridge, where she sings, "Step right up and roll the dice and all this can be yours if the price is right. No one moves, nobody gets hurt. You're still lying in the dirt at daylight. I found you in the driveway with my flashlight". Here, the song seems to be speaking to the sacrifices that one must make to achieve their dreams, how people are willing to compromise their values and their morals to get what they want, but in the end, the price is often much higher than they bargained for.
Line by Line Meaning
Hocus pocus, Pudding and pie.
Things may seem magical and easy, but they can also be misleading and deceptive.
Pinch the babies, Make em cry and hollar.
Hurt and exploit those who are vulnerable and innocent.
Baby, don't know where you've been.
You may feel lost and unsure of your past experiences and how they have shaped you.
You looked just like that when you were smaller.
You may be repeating patterns and behaviors from your childhood, whether consciously or unconsciously.
Here comes Venus, Rolling her eyes.
Expect criticism and judgment from others, even from those closest to you.
She's gonna show you how to criticise your loved ones.
People may point out flaws in your relationships and criticize those you care about.
You couldn't have picked a better time.
The timing for criticism and confrontation may be particularly bad or inappropriate.
Sure it's working but Couldn't you shine it up some?
There may be something functional in your life, but it could be improved or made more appealing.
Tell your babies what you know, Drop em in the river and watch em go.
Impart your knowledge and wisdom to your children, but ultimately let them make their own choices and face the consequences.
Take em down, it's up to you. Tell your pretty children The ugly truth.
It is your responsibility to confront difficult issues and reveal harsh realities to those you care for.
Well I was still a waitress Way back then But if I'd had my way, I would have been a dancer.
You may have unfulfilled dreams from your past that you were unable to achieve.
But momma she said, 'I said no.' At least I never took no for an answer.
You may have faced obstacles and resistance in pursuing your aspirations, but you persevered and didn't give up.
Isn't it easy when you've got no choice. Pay no mind to the sound of your voice cryin'.
When you have no control or options, it is easy to ignore your own feelings and desires and simply endure your circumstances.
Troubles they're a dime a dozen. Fillin my pockets when I wasn't even tryin'.
Difficulties and problems are abundant and seem to accumulate without much effort or intention from you.
Step right up and roll the dice And all this can be your if the price is right.
Opportunities and rewards may be available, but there is often a cost or risk involved.
No one moves, nobody gets hurt. You're still lying in the dirt at daylight.
Sometimes it is necessary to stay still and avoid harm, but this can also lead to stagnation and not moving forward.
I found you in the driveway with my flashlight.
You may discover something unexpected or previously hidden with a new perspective or insight.
Contributed by Violet Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.