'THREE DOLLAR BILL'
[written by Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack;
performed by Maria Muldaur] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKbdk349_qE
You catch 'em on the fly
And you leave 'em high and dry
Oh, but I'm up on your game, baby
And your two-bit alibi
But you just won't quit
And you don't even wanna try
You're living out of your suitcase
And the rat-race will run you dry.
You're just a three dollar bill
You're just a three dollar bill
Telling your traveling salesman jokes
Like a politician kissing babies, hustlin' votes.
Bet you're just a three dollar bill.
You're weak for the young girls
You love 'em and you leave 'em
Your favorite hobby is seduce 'em and deceive 'em.
But one day you'll get caught
Messing up in the wrong room
And then you'll be diggin' a shotgun wedding
As a twelve-gauge groom.
You're just a three dollar bill
You're just a three dollar bill
Baby, you've just been a-wasting my time
A three dollar bill ain't even worth one dime.
Bet you're just a three dollar bill.
You're just a three dollar bill
You're just a three dollar bill
Baby, you're kinda fit and you're phony
You come around here so full of baloney
Bet you're just a three dollar bill.
You're just a three dollar bill
You're just a three dollar bill
You ain't nothing, baby, but a three dollar bill
I can't use it, I don't want it.
I can't spend it, I don't need it.
Bet you're just a three dollar bill.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
As sexy as I still think her voice is on "Oasis," I think Muldaur is at her best when she's singing something bluesy like this.
ReplyDeleteI saw her a year or so ago at the Musical Instrument Museum, and while she had to do "Oasis" as an encore, it did not suit her voice these days.
But when she was singing steamy blues numbers, her voice, which has gotten a little coarser with age, gave those songs life.
Have not pulled this record out in a while...I think it's gonna get a spin tomorrow...
Larry
LC ~
DeleteGlad you liked this. I really do, too. Having used MARIA MULDAUR in my second-to-last BOTB installment, I've been playing this debut album quite a bit ever since, and I like every song on it.
I decided to post this song because it's got some great musicianship on it, plus I like the arrangement, with the background singers. I figured hardly anyone would know this song (just like few knew Maria's 'LONG HARD CLIMB') and I would give ever'one a treat.
Recently, I found at YouTube a video of Maria from 1974, appearing on 'The Midnight Special' and singing 'MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS' and... man... NOT good! Made me wonder how many takes it took to get the album version.
Say, come to think of it, did you vote on my Paul Simon Vs. B-52s BOTB installment? If you did, I'm drawing a blank on who you voted for.
Whew! I'm damned tired. Gotta get my arse in bed NOW!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Prior to recently I don't know that I've ever heard anything by Maria Muldaur other than "Midnight at the Oasis". If I did, I wasn't paying much attention. But then again, I don't pay much attention to a lot of things.
ReplyDeleteDid Leon Russell ever cover "Three Dollar Bill"? While listening to Muldaur's version I could easily imagine him singing that song.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Road trippin' with A to Z
Tossing It Out
BOIDLEE ~
DeleteLate to bed, early to rise, eh? Me too, I guess.
'THREE DOLLAR BILL' does seem like the sort of song Leon Russell would do, but I'm not aware of him having done so. A very quick couple of searches turned up nuttin'.
While DR. JOHN wrote the song, I haven't even found a version by him at YouTube. I'm thinking he may have never even recorded it himself.
I really dig Dr. John, but I'm not sure he could beat Maria's version of his own song here. That's him playing the piano on this track, though, and I'm thinkin' maybe he wrote the song specifically for Maria's debut album.
It's funny, when I bought the 'MARIA MULDAUR' LP in '75 or '76, at the age of 15 or 16, the ONLY song I really liked on it was the hit, 'Midnight At The Oasis'.
Today, I still love 'Midnight...', but even more so, I love the two slowest songs, 'LONG HARD CLIMB' and 'MAD MAD ME'. And there's not a bad track on the album. There are maybe 2 songs I'm not likely to repeat over and over like some of the others, but they're ALL good to great in varying degrees.
Reminds me of the RICK DERRINGER album 'ALL AMERICAN BOY'. When I was a teenager, all I liked were the loud, fast ones. But today, although I still dig 'ROCK AND ROLL HOOCHIE KOO', my favorites are the ballads: 'IT'S RAINING', 'JUMP, JUMP, JUMP', and 'THE AIRPORT GIVETH (THE AIRPORT TAKETH AWAY)'.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
On my lunch right now so tried to listen and ...yup-a no go. I will try to listen on the weekend if I can hear it on youtube. I read the words and boy, they speak volumes
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteMe, I'm pretty much ALWAYS out to lunch.
I sure wish I could figure out what is the common denominator in the YouTube videos that you and D.G. HUDSON are unable to view in Canada. I know there MUST be something, some indicator that I could watch for, but no pattern has developed in my mind yet.
There are at least a couple videos of this MARIA MULDAUR song at YouTube, so hopefully one of them will play for ya.
Thanks for stopping by.
~ D-FensDogG
I used to like baloney, but then I became vegetarian. You sir, are a genius.
ReplyDeleteGenius? Ha! I'd like to think so, but I'd only be foolin' myself. However, I AM a reasonably intelligent vegetarian.
DeleteHowdy, fellow Vegetarian! How's the asparagus hangin'? How're the pickles and olives in this place?
[What the hell am I talking about? I'm turning into David Byrne. Next thing you know, I'll be singing a love song to a Swingline stapler!]
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I don't know a lot of her music and haven't heard this before. Like most people, I know Midnight at the Oasis.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I remember is her beautiful eyes. I thought she and Linda Rondstadt to be two of the loveliest women alive. And both women can really sing, deep and soulful.
ANNE O' ~
DeleteYeah, Maria definitely had some sex appeal. One of my best friends in high school was absolutely crazy about Linda Ronstadt. His big favorites were Linda, Kris Kristofferson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. I'll say one thing: That shows some diverse musical taste.
For me, back then, it was all about Styx and Thin Lizzy (with a side of The Beatles).
Maria's first album, which includes 'Three Dollar Bill', 'Long Hard Climb', and 'Midnight At The Oasis', has some fantastic guest musicians and I think it's one of the best debut albums ever. In my Top 10 in that category, for sure.
~ D-FensDogG
Thanks for including the lyrics as they really ring true! Is this similar to the speculation after Carly Simon wrote, "You're so vain?" Nah, sometimes you just have to call a wiener a wiener, even though they're also full of baloney! This was fun, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteJulie
G.J. ~
DeleteHa! Oh, yeah, the speculation surrounding Carly's 'YOU'RE SO VAIN'. That was finally resolved, but it took a long, long time. I always liked that tune. I always listen for Mick Jagger's backup vocals - although he's hard to miss.
Glad ya liked my song-sharing, Julie.
~ D-FensDogG
This was more than just a random song. I applaud your creativity, Stephen!
DeleteJulie
GEM JULIE ~
DeleteI'm sure I have no idea what you mean. (But I thank you for the applause all the same;-)
~ D-FensDogG
~D-FensDogG.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I get the gist of the post. (Yes, I do have good days, but this ain't one.)
If the song is aimed at Abe - I agree. Also, who's photo is the 3 dollar bill? Should I know?
Maria does this one well.
See you later. ~dc
DIXIE POLKA ~
DeleteThat's "Colonel" Edward Mandell House on the three dollar bill.
Nah, not really. But House probably "deserves" to be on some of our money.
Not a fan of Abe's, eh? I knew I liked you. "Honest Abe", America's Stalin.
I'll take a shot in the dark and guess that if you're registered to vote at all, you're registered as an "Independent". You Independent thinkers, yer always rocking the boat of state!
However, no, the focus is not on Abe here but on what he supposedly said.
I hope you feel better soon, Dixie.
~ D-FensDogG
~D-FensDogG!
DeleteGosh darn, another pithy Abe quote in question. Next you'll be telling me that the famous Kennedy quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," was the actual quote of Kahlil Gibran who wrote the wonderful prose book, *The Prophet*? And you would be right about 'dat dere' too.
>>["I'll take a shot in the dark and guess that if you're registered to vote at all, you're registered as an "Independent". You Independent thinkers, yer always rocking the boat of state!"]
Not be blatant - but what a good guess. And really, who can rock the boat when it's shot through with holes. The rats are jumping ship. Hang on to your paddles, and waterproof your canoe. Okay, as long as no one is 'queer as a three dollar bill.' Ha!
Thanks, a couple of more days and I'll be back to dancing. (Only late at night, in the dark, with my favorite Teddy Bear. He ain't talking.) dp~dc
dp / dc ~
DeleteDishonest Abe probably DID say something similar to the famous quote. It's apparently not possible to verify the maxim word-for-word, but it's likely a reasonably close approximation to something Lincoln once uttered.
The guy could speak. But then most shysters are good speakers.
Well, I tend to rock the boat but no one cap capsize it or change its course. The way we're sailing? "IT IS WRITTEN" (as you know).
It's good to have a teddy bear one can confide in and trust. Mine is a stuffed dog, but it's the same thing.
~ Stephen