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Say It Ain't So Joe Lyrics
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
They told us that our hero has played his trump card
He doesn't know how to go on
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
But the good old days are gone
The image and the empire may be falling apart
The money has gotten scarce
One man's word held the country together
But the truth is getting fierce
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
We pinned our hopes on you Joe and they're ruining our show
(Ooh, babies) Don't you think we're gonna get burned
(Ooh, babies) Don't you think we're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
'Cause we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get burned
We're gonna get learned
Yes, we're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
Yes, we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
They told us that our are hero has played his trump card
He doesn't know how to go on
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
But the good old days are gone
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
We pinned our hopes on you Joe and they're ruining our show
The image and the empire may be falling apart
The money has gotten scarce
One man's word held the country together
But the truth is getting fierce
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna to hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
Ooh
That's not what I wanna to hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
He doesn't know how to go on
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
But the good old days are gone
The money has gotten scarce
One man's word held the country together
But the truth is getting fierce
Say it ain't so
We pinned our hopes on you Joe and they're ruining our show
(Ooh, babies) Don't you think we're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
'Cause we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get burned
We're gonna get learned
Yes, we're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
Yes, we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get learned
Say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Say it ain't so, Joe please
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
He doesn't know how to go on
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
But the good old days are gone
Say it ain't so
We pinned our hopes on you Joe and they're ruining our show
The image and the empire may be falling apart
The money has gotten scarce
One man's word held the country together
But the truth is getting fierce
Say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna to hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain't so
That's not what I wanna to hear Joe and I've got the right to know
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
I believe this hauntingly powerful song is about Shoeless Joe Jackson who played for the White Sox. He was a tremendously talented outfielder who was supposedly involved in the "Black Sox" scandal in the 1919 World Series when several of the White Sox were indited for throwing a game.
Outside of the courthouse where the trial was being held a young boy came up to Joe and infamously said "Say it ain't so Joe." Shoeless Joe reportedly just turned away without uttering a word.
Roger Daltrey did an outstanding cover of this song in 1977 on his solo "One of the Boys" album. Check it out.
Such a powerful song - adorable - especially to anyone who has known a Jo - as I memorably have
The title comes from a quote uttered in Shoeless Joe's direction, but I believe it was inspired by a lot of people's reaction to Watergate revelations. I also remember learning it was not about a single event, but any hero with clay feet. (Hmm... although, Googling keywords doesn't seem to support this)
I'm not too sure but is this a song of a man (named Jo) who's expected to be great but disappoints in his final chance. Brings to mind a sports hero who's had an amazing career but comes up short in the final game and his stardom fades.
just wanted to say "told us that the hero had played his trump card" is actually "told us that our hero, at plate he struck out"
"leader had played his trump card" is sung towards the end of the song.