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Talkin' Tenant Blues

from Commie Cowboy by Pink Williams

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lyrics

I was livin’ in Memphis in a brick shitbox
With broken front and back door locks
and a ceiling that’s one jump away
from comin’ down
Not to mention the fridge that
leaks yellow slime
and the washer and dryer that bust all the time
And the floor in the living room that ain’t attached to the ground

When the first of the month comes
around the bend
The rental company comes a-beggin’ again
I know I’m gonna be out at least a thou
So I empty my wallet into their hands
But before the go, I got some demands
And though they ain’t gonna like ‘em
They’re gonna hear ‘em anyhow:

If you want my dough,
you can’t have it for free
If you ever wanna get another dime from me
You’re gonna listen up good, cuz I got a few words for you
’With all the money we give you greedy jerks
You should make sure everything
in the house works
And don’t rent a goddamn house if the ceiling fell through!

Well, the man from the company looks at me
And busts a gut laughin’ callously
He won’t even come upstairs
to look at the floor
With a wicked smile cross his greedy face
he says “You want something better?
Better find a new place!
Then he turns around and slams the broken door
If they ain’t gonna fix the damn place,
what’s all the rent for?
Fuck landlords.

Now It’s hotter than hell in my living room
And the fan in the window’s
gonna break down soon
My shirt is soaked from the sweat
dripping down my face
I spent the last hour in agony
On the phone with the utility company
Just trying to keep the power on in the place

When they finally take my line off hold
The lady on the phone is a million years old
And she can’t really understand
what I’m trying to say

I’m finally forced to nearly shout
and she says “listen, mister, no need to be loud, there ain’t really much I can do ‘bout it anyway”

I’m red in the face and losin’ my voice
And I ask “do I have any other choice?
How can I keep the power on in the heat?”
She said “son lemme give you a little advice,
Sooner or later you’ll pay the price!”
So I hung up the phone and I sunk into sweaty defeat.
If I pay the energy bill this month, I won’t eat.
Fuck the power company.

credits

from Commie Cowboy, released July 20, 2023
Music and lyrics by Pink Williams
Recorded at Broken Country Records in Memphis, TN

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Pink Williams Memphis, Tennessee

I'm the Man in Pink.
I'm also a Country and Folk singer/songwriter in Memphis, Tennessee!
There's no place for racism, sexism, homophobia, or bigotry of any kind in the 21st century. My style may be retro, but my views sure as hell aren't. Power to the people! ... more

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