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Steve Forbert — You Cannot Win If You Do Not Play
Album: Alive On Arrival
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 77









Released: 1978
Length: 4:24
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I was sittin' by the road, my head in a cloud,
wishin' that I had some wings;
wishin' for a scooter, a-wishin' for a train
or any kin' o' movin' thing.
Well, I looked at the trees,
I looked at the sky,
I seen it was a lovely day.
I looked up the road, I looked at my feet,
I picked it up an' walked away.

Well, you cannot win if you do not play.
No, you cannot win if you do not play.

Well, I went to the fair, lookin' for fun.
I think the whole world was there.
I saw a fat man, I saw a thin man.
I saw a little teddy bear.
Well, I said to myself,
"I know what I want. I gotta get a bear some way."
I heard a loud voice. It said a few words.
It said, "You gotta take a chance an' pay."

Well, you cannot win if you do not play
No, you cannot win if you do not play

Pretty young Pam, you're bringin' me down baby,
All ya do is make-uh me blue.
I'm under the trees, I'm waiting alone,
Tryna sing a song to you.
Well, the night is so clear, the moon is so bright;
you're wastin' it all away.
You're up on a hill, I'm down here below.
I'm tryna tell ya babe, it aint okay.

Well, you cannot win if you do not play.
You cannot win if you do not play.
Comments (13)add comment
xkolibuul wrote:
You gotta be kidding. Yeah, this isn't bad, but its throw-away, fluff. God forbid he sing about (ho-hum) racism or (yawn) war or any of that pedestrian material actually relevant to our world.
I agree--only depressing stuff is relevant.
Posted 18 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
Excellent album - got it on vinyl when it first came out and still play it a lot; fresh and honest.
Posted 18 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
You gotta be kidding. Yeah, this isn't bad, but its throw-away, fluff. God forbid he sing about (ho-hum) racism or (yawn) war or any of that pedestrian material actually relevant to our world. pyxxel wrote:
Gosh, he looks (and sings) like a 16yo. And I don't mean that in a bad way - entertaining, a 6 from me. Much better than a certain Mr. Bob "Ho-hum" Dylan any day!!!
Posted 18 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Try and find the live version of this song. Has a much better groove to it. 'Course any Steve is good Steve.
Posted 19 years ago by Geed    [ Reply ]
Gosh, he looks (and sings) like a 16yo. And I don't mean that in a bad way - entertaining, a 6 from me. Much better than a certain Mr. Bob "Ho-hum" Dylan any day!!!
Posted 19 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
Wow, Steve Forbert on RP
Posted 19 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
"You Cannot Win if You Don't Play" is the motto my dear Commonwealth of Taxachusetts uses in pushing our state run Lottery. Disgraceful....
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
I saw Steve Forbert at the Palace Theatre in Albany in 1979. He came out dressed all in black, cowboy boots, acoustic guitar and a harmonica. Ane he just blew everyone away. Unbelievably good. He might have peaked early, but that night he was a god.
Posted 19 years ago by srbarry    [ Reply ]
that tiny picture kinda looks like kevin bacon.
Posted 19 years ago by abbefaith    [ Reply ]
Boy, a voice that comes ramblin' outta the past at ya. "Meet me in the middle of the day..." 6.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Hadn't listened to any Steve Forbert in awhile. Good song to get re-acquainted
Posted 19 years ago by volklracket    [ Reply ]