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about

An electronic version of this song appeared on "Death Row Tales - the Eye Camera" in 1994, New York City.

lyrics

WHY?

He's still there - corner of 5th & A
Just where he was three years ago
When we first came to the Electric City,
"How ya doin'?" - Coming out of a bar -
How do you say how ya doing to a guy living in a cardboard box - without irony.
We'd had a few drinks - mellow, comfortable –
Walking back to our heated apartment, braving the cold wet february night.
"You had a good night." he says
looking up and smiling through a tangled beard -
Just like - "Hey, just because I'm living in a
fucking cardboard box on the street - there's no reason
why you shouldn't go out and have a good time."

And there's thousands like him every day
But I just turn and walk away
Cos if I stopped what would I say.

Then there's Starving Artist - and Faith no More -
That's what Dave calls them anyway.
Hanging 'round the club, 5 o-clock in the morning on Avenue B
- the glamour district.
Painted drag queens and uptown suits slumming it downtown
and o.d'ing on cocaine and voyeurism.
"We went to this really wild after hours last night - got really fucked up man - what a blast!
You should see some of the crazy people they get in there
'course you gotta take the Limo - you don't want to get stuck around there without wheels!"
And Starving Artist says "Can you spare a dime buddy?"
only it's a quarter these days.
Takes a lot of quarters to buy a bag of dope.

I see thousands like him every day
But I just turn and walk away
Cos if I stopped what would I say.

An' I'm sitting in this cab - going somewhere, the guy driving's about 35 - 36
first generation immigrant - an' he's trying
doesn't speak great English but hey - who does?
An' we're stopped at the lights, an' a guy comes up to the window.
"Hey man - Can you help me out with a quarter so I can get something to eat?"
And the cabbie says - "Why? - Why? Why? - Why?
You got two hands - just like me - Why don't you do somethin' for yourself?"
I sit back in my seat, the lights change, and we speed off
Goin' somewhere.

Words and Music © 1994 Simon Scardanelli/Musica Scardanelli

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from HOBOHEMIA, released January 1, 2005

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Simon Scardanelli Merléac, France

Simon Scardanelli is an English singer, songwriter & composer now based in Central Brittany, France.

Currently working on his next album - a folk-opera which he will launch in early 2023.

A great live performer who has toured extensively, available for solo acoustic & amplified concerts as well as in trio with accordion & percussion.. ... more

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