Lyr Req: The Big One (Nellie McKay)

Subject: Lyr Req: THE BIG ONE by Nellie McKay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 10:55 AM

Well, I did find a live feed of the lyrics on WWW.nelliemckay.com but if someone already has the lyrics I'd love to have them posted here. They are not that easy to decode from listening to them. This song is track 4 of her new recording PRETTY LITTLE HEAD.

One plot line has to do with a tenant organizer being murdered by the landlord's goons.

This could be a new song to consider for the draft HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZING SONGBOOK. Or maybe not!

Landlady's Daughter, not to be confused with Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: THE BIG ONE by Nellie McKay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 10:56 AM

Whoops! This should be Lyrics Request!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: THE BIG ONE by Nellie McKay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 01:09 PM

Well, let's give it a new try!

LD

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: THE BIG ONE by Nellie McKay
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 31 Dec 05 - 02:39 PM

Can't find the lyrics on the Internet anywhere, so I took a crack at transcribing from the sound file. This is a tough one, especially the choruses. However, I don't see anything as dramatic has murder here. In fact, the lyrics seem too abstract to have a plot.

THE BIG ONE
Nellie McKay

VERSE 1: As you're walkin' down the street, might want to skip a beat,
Think it over.
Walkin' to (or "Walk into") the corner store, but it ain't there no more.
If you want a loaf of bread, you try a pharmacy instead.
Another chain will set you free.

VERSE 2: When you go to pay the rent, you see it's all been spent.
The purse is empty.
Money, money, make a buck, but you're all out o' luck.
This town ain't friendly now. A thousand faces stare you down.
Each one's afraid of what you see.

CHORUS 1: Slippin' in the .... (Can't deny it.)
... with you. (Gentrify it.)
Take a ... or two. (The revolution's comin' round.)
... to the door. ( ... )
... the poor. (Fight the power.)
... even more. (That's why they ... down.)

VERSE 3: Lookin' like the jack is back but he ain't gonna attack.
His hands are flippin'.
Druggies dyin' in the hall for bangin' on the walls.
Your ma ain't trippin' now.
It ain't a home if you ain't allowed.
What time's the cease-fire? Where's the key?

CHORUS 2: Spittin' on the road (Sister, brother)
Shittin' on your soul (Welfare mother)
... the goal (The revolution's comin' round.)
Payin' off a loan (Mass eviction)
Elevate the zone (Ain't no fiction.)
Breakin' up a home (That's why they ... down.)

BRIDGE: ... tokens take a train.
You swipe a piece of plastic paper.
No more smokin' on the plane.
You gripe, they'll take you to the jailer.
"Bide your time. It's all in vain,"
They tell you as you meet your maker.
Grief's the mother of invention.
Pain's the midwife to your labor.
Done it, burn it,
Cure it, endure it,
If you are able, sucker.

VERSE 4: People standin' in the park. It's getting mighty dark.
The kids are scowlin'.
Shutter up the windows tight. This is an evil night.
The wind is howlin' fast. Another tragedy has passed.
Another stain on you and me.

REPEAT CHORUS 1.
REPEAT CHORUS 2.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: THE BIG ONE by Nellie McKay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Dec 05 - 03:42 PM

Jim-

Thanks so much for giving it a try. Maybe I can fill it in from there.

Cordially,
Landlady's Daughter