NASHVILLE STAR words and music by Lenny Solomon

© L. Solomon 2002

 

I always played for quarters, pennies, dimes as well

Singing on the corner, outside the Ritz Hotel

I always had my freedom, to do with what I pleased

When I’d awake each mornin’, the moment I would seize.

 

Then one summer afternoon, just after I’d begun

You stopped and gave a listen, to hear the songs I sung

You clapped your hands together, said the time was right

To bring me down to Nashville, to put my name in lights

 

I don’t know for certain, who you really are

But you seemed so impressive smokin’ that cigar

That I signed upon dotted line, signed my rights away

Cause you’d make me a big star, or so you said that day

 

I worked on my recording, at your studio

But the sound that I had wanted, you said would have to go

You asked to change a line or two, here I really erred

‘Cause when the session ended, I didn’t recognize a word

 

I don’t know for certain, who you really are

But you seemed so impressive smokin’ that cigar

That I signed upon dotted line, signed my rights away

Cause you’d make me a big star, or so you said that day

 

The record sold some copies, I got some applause

Now I sing six nights a week, as demanded in your clause

Well my lawyer’s getting richer, my agent just as well

But I still play for quarters, and my freedom’s gone to hell

 

I don’t know for certain, who you really are

But you seemed so impressive smokin’ that cigar

That I signed upon dotted line, signed my rights away

Cause you’d make me a big star, or so you said that day