Jeffrey Lewis - Don't Let the Record Label Take You Out to Lunch lyrics

Don't let the record label take
You out to lunch
You're the one that's got to pay
At the end of the day
And try not to want people
To like you too much
You'll just need more and more
Flattery to recharge your batteries
And don't let showmanship become
More important than honesty
If you don't want to be
So many things you see
You don't have to act crazy
To do something amazing
You can be just like you should
And still do something really good
And even when you know
There's nobody listening
Say it to yourself because it's
Good to your health

I know nothing makes sense if
You think too much
Religion, a pigeon, radios and television
Though it takes so much strength
Just not to suck and not to be a cynic
But defer another gimmick
But you are distraught at the
Thought of losing everything again
And they say it's not the way you
Play the game but if you win

But don't let the record label
Take you out to lunch
Because every sip of soup is
Going to get recouped
And you get a good review and
Then you get a bad review
But don't get suckered either way because
None of them know you
But don't let the record label
Take you out to lunch
Because they'll call you a cab and
Put it on your tab
I'm leaving town for a while
But I'll be in touch
One thing that I know is true is
That I got a lot to do
And that it takes big heart
To make great great art
And I'm just a little dot
In the great big pot
But now that I have started
And it's hard to stop
I'm wondering at night about
The wrong and right
And is someone your savior if you
Owe them back a favor no they are not
So there's only one choice that you got

Don't let the record label take
You out to lunch
Though the fishes look delicious someone's
Got to do the dishes
People might say you're insane or
Just looking to complain
And you need them the more than they need you
So don't bite the hand that feeds you
Everyone has been fair and nice and
You consider them a friend
But everything still has a pricing
You don't want to overspend
Because it's your wallets and your soul when
The check comes in the end
No matter what the situation, art, love
Or occupation
I'll hold off on the hors d'oeuvres
It is not what I'm in it for
I only want what I deserve, I want no less
I want no more