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This song was inspired by derelict/decrepit tenements in the Bronx that had decals on windows of flower pots and dozing cats and other phony little bits of happiness sorely missing from the reality of the awful brick buildings. As grim as the images were that prompted the song, it's a pretty dance-happy number.

lyrics

All the swings are taken down
And the kids stand in an empty park
Like their folks in their apartments
Who don’t have any work
Decals on brick buildings
Make it look like someone lives in them
While rent goes up keep
Looking down on ragged men

Who couldn’t find a place to stay
You couldn’t give the place away

I saw a TV
And the pretty people on it
And a pay packet as thin as t
The envelope it came it
Pretty face told me
What I could win on the lottery
A couple tried to sell me
The city to feed their baby

They couldn’t give the place away
They couldn’t give the place away

There’s something special
About being on your own
Looking out for yourself
And give your kids a home
I found a piece of rope
To make the kids a swing
But someone else had a different idea
And when we cut him down he looked like

He’d been hanging there for days
You couldn’t give the place away

So let’s hold hands
And all we get are sweaty palms
We’re singing choruses of
Wishful thinking songs
Let’s stand in circles
And wait for it to get better
But the real world keeps on closing in
And it’s not a pretty picture
It’s always the same despite what they say
And you couldn’t give the place away

credits

from Live at the Carousel Lounge, released March 8, 2014

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The Late Joys Austin

With influences that include The Beatles, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, The Jam, The Clash and a slew of '80s and '90s Brit-pop guitar-based trailblazers, The Late Joys put on a high-octane show that's groovy, melodic and infused with fun.

The Late Joys play infectious sonic confections with literate lyrics, catchy melodies and unabashedly progressive political sensibilities.
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