Lyrics
I've got a pocket full of pretty green
I possess money (pretty green) in my pocket.
I'm gonna put it in the fruit machine
I plan to gamble or take a chance with the money in a fruit machine (slot machine).
I'm gonna put it in the jukebox
I intend to spend the money in the jukebox, selecting songs to play.
It's gonna play all the records in the hit parade
The selected songs will play consecutively, forming a hit parade of popular tracks.
This is the pretty green, this is society
The "pretty green" symbolizes money, and the lyrics reflect on society.
You can't do nothing, unless it's in the pocket
One's ability to act is restricted unless one has money (pretty green) in their pocket.
Oh no
An expression of concern or realization about this limitation.
I've got a pocket full of pretty green
Reiteration of possessing money in the pocket.
I'm gonna give it to the man behind the counter
I plan to give the money to the person behind the counter (likely at a store).
He's gonna give me food and water
In exchange, the person behind the counter will provide basic necessities like food and water.
I'm gonna eat that and look for more
After consuming the provided sustenance, the singer will seek more.
And they didn't teach me that in school
Traditional education did not teach the singer practical life lessons.
It's something that I learnt on my own
The singer learned important life skills independently.
That power is measured by the pound or the fist
Power and influence are determined by economic wealth or physical strength.
It's as clear as this oh
An emphatic statement about the clarity of this concept.
I've got a pocket full of pretty green!
Reiteration of possessing money in the pocket, emphasizing its significance.
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