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
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, 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
'Cause 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
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
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 fine
And I shine
I'm freshly minted
I am determined
Not to be dented by a car, by a plane, or anything
Not yet invented
I'm fine
And I shine
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 fine
And I shine
I'm freshly minted
I'm silver-plated
I'm underrated
You won't even pick me up
'Cause I'm not enough
For a local phone call
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
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Was 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.
A dime is $0.10USD, so yeah, you really can't buy much with it. It's also the physically smallest of the American coins. There's also an undertone of devaluation that you may miss if you're not familiar with American currency - at one point, a dime WAS enough to buy clothing or make a phone call.
A dime is $0.10USD, so yeah, you really can't buy much with it. It's also the physically smallest of the American coins. There's also an undertone of devaluation that you may miss if you're not familiar with American currency - at one point, a dime WAS enough to buy clothing or make a phone call.
It's also relatively common to find them laying around. So, I don't really think that the implication is that this person is particularly left-behind or unnoticed. I think they're saying that there are lots of people out there, but a diamond in the...
It's also relatively common to find them laying around. So, I don't really think that the implication is that this person is particularly left-behind or unnoticed. I think they're saying that there are lots of people out there, but a diamond in the rough is still just a bit too rare. A dime - well, they can add up, or just be pretty by themselves.
This is on my "Songs to Smirk By" playlist, because it always makes me smile.
Also, he shines. He looks cheap but he knows his value.
Also, he shines. He looks cheap but he knows his value.
Funny and straightforward.
My 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.
Seems 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.
I'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.
I 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)
"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
sometimes 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"
my 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.
I 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.