Swingin Party

Album: Tim (1985)
Play Video
  • Bring your own lampshade, somewhere there's a party
    Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
    Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail

    If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
    Being strong and kind, I need help here with this feather

    If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
    At the swingin' party down the line

    Pound the prairie pavement, losin' proposition
    Quittin' school and goin' to work and never goin' fishin'
    Water all around, never learning how to swim now

    If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
    If being strong and kind, then I need help here with this feather

    If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
    At the swingin' party down the line, li-li-line
    At the swingin' party down the line

    Bring your own lampshade, somewhere there's a party
    Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
    Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail

    If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
    Being strong is what you want, then I need help here with this feather

    If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
    At the swingin' party down the line
    Every valentine at the swingin' party down the line
    Catch you down at the swingin' party down the line Writer/s: Paul Westerberg
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Fogmoose from NyA "swingin party" was slang for a public hanging in the old west days, and Westerberg was certainly aware of the double meaning when writing the song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.