Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Nellie McKay
Canonical path: /nellie-mckay/the-big-one
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
The Big One
Read The Big One lyrics by Nellie McKay on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
The Big One
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As you're walkin' down the street
Might wanna skip a beat
Think it over
Walkin' to the corner store
But it ain't there no more
If you want a loaf of bread
You try a pharmacy instead
Another chain will set you free
When you go to pay the rent
You see it's all been spent
The purse is empty
Money, money make a buck
But you're all outta luck
This town ain't friendly now
A thousand faces stare you down
Each one's afraid of what you see
Slither in your sea (can't deny it)
Hide behind the view (gentrifying)
Take a life or two (The revolution's comin' round)
Clingin' to the door ( quiver, cower )
Profit off the poor (fight the power)
Pay 'em even more (That's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down
Lookin' like the jack is back
But he ain't gonna attack
His hands are flippin'
Druggies dyin' in the halls
They're bangin' on the walls
Your Ma ain't trippin' now
It ain't a home if you ain't allowed
What time's the cease fire
Where's the heat?
Spittin' on the old (sister/brother)
Shittin' on your soul (welfare mother)
Profit is the goal (the revolution's comin' round)
Payin' off a loan (mass eviction)
Elevate the zone (ain't no fiction)
Breakin' up a home (that's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down
No more tokens, take a train
You swipe a piece of plastic paper
No more smokin' on the plane
You gripe they'll take you to the jailer
Bind your time, it's all in vain
They tell you as you meet your maker
Grief's the mother of invention
Pain's the midwife to your labor
Turn it, burn it, cure it, endure it
If you are able, sucker
People standing in the park
It's getting mighty dark
The kids are scowlin'
Shutter up the windows tight
This is an evil night
The wind is howlin' fast
Another tragedy has passed
Another stain on you and me
Slither in your sea (can't deny it)
Hide behind the view (gentrifying)
Take a life or two (The revolution's comin' round)
Clingin' to the door (quiver, cower)
Profit off the poor (fight the power)
Pay 'em even more (That's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down
Spittin' on the old (sister/brother)
Shittin' on your soul (welfare mother)
Profit is the goal (the revolution's comin' round)
Payin' off a loan (mass eviction)
Elevate the zone (ain't no fiction)
Breakin' up a home (that's why they took Bruce Bailey down)
Took Bruce Bailey down
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Who performs "The Big One"?
Nellie McKay performs "The Big One", and this lyric page sits inside the Nellie McKay catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Big One"?
Yes. The related section below points to Beecharmer and I Am Nothing with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Nellie McKay?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Nellie McKay's lyric pages.
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