The boy stood in the burning slum
Better times had to come
Fate lay in the hands that clap
The muscles that move and the power that raps
He went up on money street
Waving an popping to the beat
Off his wits an on his feet
He worked a coin from the cold concrete

Movers and shakers come on you got what it takes to make it
Movers an shakers come on even if you have to fake it

Where the highway meets the lights
With a red bandanna and rapid wipes
He shines Glass and he cleans chrome
He'll accept what he gets thrown
This man earns 'cause its understood
Times are bad and he's makin' good
Down on him but he's got it beat
He's working coin from the cold concrete

Movers and shakers come on....etc
And when I see you down and I say
That ain't no way through that ain't no way through
Movers and shakers come on...etc

Way back in some city heat
When a friend was anybody with food to eat
It was lousy life with a leaking roof
We got up to find that truth
Make a drum from a garbage can
Allow your tongue to be a man
When the beat propels you off your seat
You got it made in the cold concrete

Movers and shakers come on!


Lyrics submitted by aebassist, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Movers and Shakers Lyrics as written by Joe Strummer Bernard Rhodes

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Movers and Shakers song meanings
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2 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    One word:

    UNDERRATED.

    This is a great song often overlooked.

    Bigson October 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Fantastic begin (very un-clash"y" anyway), but the chorus sucks. Pity!

    sidewalk91on April 12, 2007   Link

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