The Price- Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards

Inspired by The Skydiggers’ A Penny More. Re-imagined in what I think Bob Dylan might have done, had he wrote this song.

(Verse 1)

Down a midnight alley, where shadows dance,

Beneath the neon glow, of a broken romance.

A penny for your sorrows, tossed in the gutter,

Where the streetlight hums, like a worn-out mutter.

(Chorus)

A penny more, in the juke joint’s roar,

The heartache spills, on the barroom floor.

A beer glass, with memories poured,

In this dive bar world, love’s encore.

(Verse 2)

Smoke rings rising, like forgotten dreams,

In the moonshine haze, where the night redeems.

A worn-out jukebox, plays a lonesome song,

Echoes of heartbreak, all night long.

(Chorus)

A penny more, in the juke joint’s roar,

The heartache spills, on the barroom floor.

A beer glass, with memories poured,

In this dive bar world, love’s encore.

(Bridge)

Keys jangle like a distant tune,

In this midnight city, beneath the moon.

A rusty door swings, on a creaking hinge,

As the night unfolds, on love’s fringe.

(Verse 3)

Broken promises, like shattered glass,

In the alley’s whispers, where shadows amass.

A penny for your thoughts, in the cold night air,

Lost in the echoes, of a love affair.

(Chorus)

A penny more, in the juke joint’s roar,

The heartache spills, on the barroom floor.

A beer glass, with memories poured,

In this dive bar world, love’s encore.

(Outro)

In the city’s heartbeat, where dreams decay,

A penny more, for the price we pay.

Through the neon glow, and the city’s lore,

Love’s lament, forevermore.

Artist Statement:

“The Price” eulogizes heartache and lost love, set against the backdrop of a gritty urban landscape. The lyrics paint vivid imagery of a dive bar world, where broken dreams and shattered promises intertwine with the melancholic strains of a jukebox. Drawing inspiration from Bob Dylan’s storytelling prowess and infused with the essence of The Skydiggers’ “A Penny More,” the song captures the essence of folk and Americana traditions while weaving a narrative that resonates with universal themes of love and loss.

Lyricism and Imagery:

The song opens with evocative imagery of a midnight alley, where shadows dance beneath the neon glow of a broken romance. The use of sensory details such as the humming streetlight and the imagery of a penny tossed in the gutter sets the stage for a narrative steeped in desperation. Throughout the verses, the imagery remains vivid, painting a picture of a desolate urban landscape where smoke rings rise like forgotten dreams and echoes of heartbreak reverberate through the night.

Narrative Structure:

The song follows a linear narrative structure, with each verse building upon the themes introduced in the preceding verses. The verses delve deeper into the emotional landscape of the protagonist, exploring themes of loneliness, heartache, and longing. The chorus serves as a refrain, anchoring the song with its repetition and reinforcing the central motif of the “penny more” and the juke joint’s roar.

Musical Elements:

While the song’s lyrics provide a rich narrative tapestry, the musical elements play a crucial role in enhancing its emotional impact. Drawing from the folk and Americana traditions, the instrumentation is likely sparse yet atmospheric, with acoustic guitars, harmonicas, and perhaps a subtle wash of organ or piano to add depth to the arrangement. The tempo may be slow and languid, mirroring the mood of the lyrics and allowing space for the imagery to unfold.

Themes and Symbolism:

At its core, “The Price” explores the universal theme of love and its inherent complexities. The recurring motif of the penny serves as a symbol of the emotional toll of love and the sacrifices made in its pursuit. The dive bar setting symbolizes a sanctuary for the broken-hearted, where they seek solace amidst the haze of smoke and the strains of a lonesome jukebox. Through its vivid imagery and lyricism, the song offers a meditation on the transient nature of love and the enduring pain of its aftermath.