Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
Early in the evenin' just about supper time
Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind
Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up
Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile
Blinky thumps the gut bass and solos for a while
Poor Boy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo
And Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
You don't need a penny just to hang around
But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down?
Over on the corner there's a happy noise
People come from all around to watch the magic boy
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind
Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up
Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile
Blinky thumps the gut bass and solos for a while
Poor Boy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo
And Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
You don't need a penny just to hang around
But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down?
Over on the corner there's a happy noise
People come from all around to watch the magic boy
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Down on the corner
Out in the street
Willy and the Poor Boys are playin'
Bring a nickel, tap your feet
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Down on the Corner Lyrics as written by John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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