Alejandro Escovedo: Bottom of the World

For me, it's usually the melody that hits me first. 

Then I listen and pick up a few words here and there, and then maybe a line sticks. 

And then I'm hooked. 

Ever been just down and out? I mean really down and out? This song gives a good feeling of what it's like. The world used to be one way, you used to be on top of the world. And then, wtf, you found yourself at the bottom and you're a changed person.

Anyway, there's no better person to write and sing about it than Alejendro Escovedo. 

Austin’s changed, it’s true

Show me what hasn’t

Tonight the tv’s throwing colors on the wall

As I watch the cities of the world reduced to ashes

From where I sit, at the bottom of the world

Oh, there used to be a phone booth

Down here on every corner

He used to call me up just to say my name

But now all anybody gets is a busy signal

No you can’t call home, from the bottom of the world

She said, hey newspaper boy

Don’t you think it’s time you delivered?

I said, say the word, your wish is my command

Well she ran me over like an eighteen-wheeler

And dumped my body at the bottom of the world.

You might think you know all there is to know about me

You might think the beast is in the cage

But everything you see is just an illusion

It’s about to get real, at the bottom of the world.

Oh, hey little boy, little boy you look a little frightened

For these aren’t the kind of streets for walking alone

So why don’t you get yourself home back to Houston

No I don’t think you’re ready, for the bottom of the world

No I don’t think you’re ready, for the bottom of the world.