Illegal Smile
Escape Reality with an Illegal Smile: John Prine's Musical Journey
Lyrics
When I woke up this morning, things were lookin' bad
Waking up to a bleak situation, feeling isolated
Seem like total silence was the only friend I had
Feeling alone without any sound
Bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down, and won
A humorous personification of breakfast challenging the speaker
And it was twelve o'clock before I realized
Realizing the day has been joyless so far
I was havin' no fun
Not experiencing any enjoyment
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
Having a solution to escape reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
Being seen with a smile caused by an illegal substance
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Substance doesn’t cost much but provides lasting effects
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
Requesting not to be accused of a serious crime due to substance use
No, I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
Expressing the desire for simple enjoyment
Last time I checked my bankroll
Having limited money
It was gettin' thin
Financial situation being dire
Sometimes it seems like the bottom
Feeling like rock bottom is a familiar place
Is the only place I've been
Metaphorically feeling stuck
I chased a rainbow down a one-way street dead end
Pursuing something futilely with no positive outcome
And all my friends turned out to be insurance salesmen
Friends turning out to be disappointingly mundane
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
Reiterating the escape from reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
Presenting the illegal smile as a means of evasion
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Emphasizing the longevity and affordability of the effect
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
Asking not to be accused of a crime because of substance use
No, I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
Desiring simple, harmless fun
Well, I sat down in my closet with all my overalls
Seeking solitude to escape from scrutiny
Tryin' to get away from all the ears inside my walls
Feeling paranoid about being overheard
I dreamed the police heard everything I thought, what then?
Nightmarish thought of being judged for innermost thoughts
Well I went to court and the judge's name was Hoffman
Referencing a judge named Hoffman, possibly alluding to a real figure
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
Reiterating the escape from reality
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
Describing the illegal smile’s effect
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
Highlighting the long-lasting and affordable nature of the substance
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
Requesting not to be held responsible for actions due to substance use
No, I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
Expressing the desire for innocent enjoyment
Well done, hot dog bun, my sister's a nun
A quirky, seemingly random conclusion
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