This song seems to be Newman’s response to the corporate exploitation of street kids in the late seventies, from Saturday Night Fever (Travolta is presumably the “dancing wop”) to punk to the slew of gang films of that time (The Warriors, Boulevard Nights, Walk Proud, etc). The song is told from the perspective of a wealthy businessman (possibly a record executive) who condescends to a tough Jersey punk for the amusement of his rich pals, all set to one of Newman’s most ominous melodies. Overlooked, but one of my favourite songs of his.
This song seems to be Newman’s response to the corporate exploitation of street kids in the late seventies, from Saturday Night Fever (Travolta is presumably the “dancing wop”) to punk to the slew of gang films of that time (The Warriors, Boulevard Nights, Walk Proud, etc). The song is told from the perspective of a wealthy businessman (possibly a record executive) who condescends to a tough Jersey punk for the amusement of his rich pals, all set to one of Newman’s most ominous melodies. Overlooked, but one of my favourite songs of his.