Ray Davies's
Lyrics
Working Man's Café cover

A Gallon of Gas

Ray Davies, released on Low Budget, © Davray Music Ltd. 1979

.

I've been waiting for years to buy a brand new cadillac

But now that I've got one I want to send it right back

I can't afford the gas to fill my luxury limousine

But even if I had the dough no one's got no gasoline

.

I went to my local dealer to see if he could set me straight

He said there's a little gas going but I'd have to wait

But he offered some red hot speed and some really high grade hash

But a gallon of gas can't be purchased anywhere for any amount of cash

.

I can score you some coke and some grade one grass

But I can't get a gallon of gas

I've got some downers some speed all the drugs that you need

But I can't get a gallon of gas

There's no more left to buy or sell

There's no more oil left in the well

A gallon of gas can't be purchased anywhere

For any amount of cash

.

[two extra verses from long version:]

I love your body-work, but you're really no use

How can I drive you when I got no juice?

Because it's stuck in neutral and my engine's got no speed

And the highways are deserted

and the air smells unnaturally clean.

.

It's got power-assisted overdrive and carpets on the floor,

but it's parked out front just like a dead dinosaur.

And I'll be paying off the bank for 45 years or more.

It should go 100 miles an hour,

but it's never moved away from my door.

.

Who needs a car and a seven-forty-seven

When you can't buy a gallon of gas

Who needs a highway, an airport or a jet

When you can't get a gallon of gas

There's no more left to buy or sell

There's no more oil left in the well

A gallon of gas can't be purchased anywhere

For any amount of cash

You can't buy a gallon of gas

.