Smuggler's Blues
Glenn Frey
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There's trouble on the streets tonight I can feel it in my bones I had a premonition That he should not go alone I knew the gun was loaded But I didn't think he'd kill Everything exploded And the blood began to spill So baby, here's your ticket Put the suitcase in your hand Here's a little money now Do it just the way we planned You be cool for twenty hours And I'll pay you twenty grand I'm sorry it went down like this And someone had to lose It's the nature of the business It's the smuggler's blues Smuggler's Blues The sailors and pilots The soldiers and the law The pay offs and the rip offs And the things nobody saw No matter if it's heroin, cocaine, or hash You've got to carry weapons 'Cause you always carry cash There's lots of shady characters Lots of dirty deals Every name's an alias In case somebody squeals It's the lure of easy money It's got a very strong appeal Perhaps you'd understand it better Standin' in my shoes It's the ultimate enticement It's the smuggler's blues Smuggler's blues Oh See it in the headlines You hear it ev'ry day They say they're gonna stop it But it doesn't go away They move it through Miami, sell it in L.A. They hide it up in Telluride I mean it's here to stay It's propping up the governments in Columbia and Peru You ask any D.E.A. man He'll say "there's nothin' we can do" From the office of the President Right down to me and you, me and you It's a losing proposition But one you can't refuse It's the politics of contraband It's the smuggler's blues Smuggler's blues Hmm, hmm Woah, oh Woah, oh Ya
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Glenn Lewis Frey, Jack Tempchin
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Red Cloud Music
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist BackgroundGlenn Frey was the co-lead singer and frontman for the famous rock band, The Eagles. He was also successful as a solo artist, with hits like "Smuggler's Blues."
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Song Origin"Smuggler's Blues" was released in 1984 on Frey's second solo album, "The Allnighter."
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Chart PerformanceThe song reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also fared well on the Album Rock Tracks Chart, where it hit #3.
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Song Theme"Smuggler's Blues" explores the drug smuggling culture and consequences associated with it, inspired by the drug cargo plights happening during the 1980s.
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Music Video ImpactThe music video for the song depicted a drug smuggling story, enhancing the narrative of the song. It played a significant role in popularizing music videos as an essential aspect of music promotion during the 1980s.
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Influence on Other Media"Smuggler's Blues" went beyond music, influencing an episode of the popular TV crime drama "Miami Vice" in 1985. Frey was guest-starred as a pilot smuggling drugs from Columbia to the USA.
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Awards and RecognitionThe song, particularly its music video, was so acclaimed that it won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Concept Video in 1985.
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Unique Style"Smuggler's Blues" is unique due to its blending of genres – it merges elements of rock, pop, and blues, creating a compelling listening experience.
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Critics' ViewCritics praised the lyrics of "Smuggler's Blues" for their storytelling and direct address of political issues like the drug trade, a topic not typically explored in mainstream music of that era.
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Song LegacyDespite being over 30 years old, "Smuggler's Blues" remains a beloved classic, as it's often listed among Frey's top solo hits.
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Citation
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"Smuggler's Blues Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1117658/Glenn+Frey/Smuggler%27s+Blues>.
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