When The World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around

Album: Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
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  • Turn on my VCR
    Same one I've had for years
    James Brown on the T.A.M.I Show
    Same tape I've had for years

    I sit in my old car
    Same one I've had for years
    Old battery's running down
    It ran for years and years

    Turn on the radio
    The static hurts my ears
    Tell me where would I go
    I ain't been out in years

    Turn on the stereo
    It's played for years and years
    An Otis Redding song
    It's all I own

    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around
    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around

    Plug in my MCI
    To exercise my brain
    Make records on my own
    Can't go out in the rain

    Pick up the telephone
    I've listened here for years
    No one to talk to me
    I've listened here for years

    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around
    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around

    When I feel lonely here
    Don't waste my time with tears
    I run "Deep Throat" again
    It ran for years and years

    Don't like the food I eat
    The cans are running out
    Same food for years and years
    I hate the food I eat

    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around
    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around

    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around
    When the world is running down
    You make the best of what's still around, whoa

    Turn on my VCR
    Same one I've had for years
    James Brown on the T.A.M.I Show
    Same tape I've had for years

    I sit in my old car
    Same one I've had for years Writer/s: Gordon Sumner
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Nikto from CaliforniaThe MCI reference is to a multitrack recorder made by manufacturer MCI.

    This machine gives Sting the power to be creative ("exercise my brain") and "make records on my own".

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Center_Incorporated
  • Timbo from SpainWhat is an M.C.I?? "plug in my M.C.I"
  • Juan Jose Dones Suarez from Puerto RicoI hear this song a thousand times and up, nice song!
  • Joe from Omaha, NeGreat song. Timeless guitar sound. I never understood the "TAMI show" reference until many years later when I bought the show on DVD. The TAMI show was hosted by Jan and Dean and had an amazing lineup. It was serendipitous that all of those great artists were on the same bill. No one knew how large some of the "newer" acts would become... The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, etc. Even the Stones and Beach Boys were new artists. Chuck Berry was the most established "star" on the show. James Brown was at the height of his new popularity. Amazing time.
  • Glenn from Mendham, NjI never understood the "Tammy show" reference with James Brown, but just now saw a tape of it on PBS (T.A.M.I. Show for Teen Awards Music International or something, filmed in Santa Monica in 1964, including the Beach Boys, The Supremes and the Rolling Stones). WOW! If you haven't seen it, James Brown and the Flames put on a performance that has to be ranked as one of the great short rock and roll sets of all time.
  • Thegripester from Wellington, New ZealandI think this is the only top 40 song ever to use the term "VCR."
  • Spence from Brooklyn, NyMisheard Lyrics: "You make he best cup of stew around" That's my opinion.
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