Dime

Cake

In the brown shag carpet of a cheap motel
In the dark and dusty corner by the TV shelf
Is a small reminder of a simpler time
When a crumpled up pair of trousers cost a brand new dime
Well you ask me how I made it through and how my mint condition could belong to you
When I'm on the ground I roll through town
I'm a president you don't remember getting kicked around
I'm a dime
I'm fine
And I shine I'm freshly minted
I am determined not to be dented
By a car or by a plane or anything not yet invented

I'm a dime
I'm fine
And I shine
In the hiss and rumble of the freeway sounds
As the afternoon commuters drive their cars around
There's a ringle jingle near the underpass
There's a sparkle near the fast food garbage and roadside trash
I'm a dime
I'm fine
And I shine I'm freshly minted
I'm silver-plated I'm underrated
You won't even pick me up because I'm not enough for a local phone call

I'm a dime
I'm fine
And I shine
I'm a dime
I'm fine
And I shine
I'm a dime
I'm fine
And I shine


Lyrics submitted by Eamon

Dime Lyrics as written by John M Mccrea

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, O/B/O CAPASSO

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Dime song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentWas just listening to the song, and an idea popped into my head. To me this song is about being happy with who you are -- Im not american but i gather that a dime isnt worth very much at all "not enough for a local phonecall..." but the song isn't depressing, this 'person' is happy with being who they are and are not going to let others get them down "Not to be dented by a car, by a plane, or anything
    Not yet invented" cars planes etc perhaps could be referring to people with more money or a higher status etc. He is happy to sit in the background... "In the hiss and rumble of the freeway sounds
    As the afternoon commuters drive their cars around
    There's a ringle-jingle near the underpass
    There's a sparkle near the fast food garbage
    And roadside trash" ...and live his life.
    snugasagrubon January 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentFunny and straightforward.
    lewikeeon October 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentMy favorite line of this song is the one about the mint condition because I think that it can mean both owning the dime and posessing the ability to never become damaged.
    bighairycoconutson November 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSeems like it has to do with a person who isn't really all that important, but doesn't let things get him down. Someone just walking through town, unnoticed except when pushed out of the way, who doesn't really mind.
    Immortal113on December 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI'd have to agree with Immortal113. It's about some one who no one ever notices, but the guys doesn't care ("I'm a dime, I'm fine and I shine).

    My favourite line is "You won't even pick me up 'Cause I'm not enough for a local phone call" Very clever.
    BamSplaton April 13, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI can imagine John seeing a dime on the ground and having this song pop into his head. I think trying to make it about more than a dime is overanalyzing it. And besides, I WON'T pick it up, because it's NOT enough for a local phone call. So true. Besides, I call long distance, yo. (sorry about that)
    MrMastadonFarmon September 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment"In the brown shag carpet of a cheap motel
    In the dark and dusty corner by the TV shelf
    Is a small reminder of a simpler time
    When a crumpled-up pair of trousers lost a brand new dime

    Well, you ask me how I made it through"


    reminds me of maybe a mother or father... more likely a mother.. how she got pregnant in a motel, a simpler time, maybe, and he lost her/she lost him, and he made it through
    maybe i really dont know

    and everything else i can't really incorporate anything solid enough to satisfy my hungry mind to feed.... so yah
    _Lif3_w_Music_on March 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentsometimes i think he might be talking about his unimportance in some eyes... or he may just be speaking from the point of view of a dime... i love the line "a small reminder of a simpler time, when a couple of pair of trousers cost a brand new dime"
    driedpeason December 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentmy favorite track on pressure chief, belongs with Frank Sinatra and Long Line of Cars, it's awesome when they pull out the Moog goodness.

    of course it's "cost a brand new dime" and not lost a brand new dime...

    and yes, it's about being a dime a dozen, but not really giving a fuck because you know you're unique.
    brinkon July 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think its a strait forward silly song. It might have message within about inflation. "you won't pick me up 'cause I'm not enough, for a local phone call." He makes it sound like the dime is taking place of the penny.
    AceBigNutson October 15, 2008   Link

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