"Precious Rhinestone" by SZ
Channel: ZabicTV
Date: 2020-02-22

Shot by David Sameshima at Silvie's, Chicago, 2/21/20.
At the Chicago songwriters showcase Folk You!, I decide to waltzify a 4/4 song that I play with Rent Party, meaning it becomes a 3/4 song for this particular occasion. I'm also playing a cigar box guitar that's on permanent loan from Heather. The song's lyrics are inspired by Megabus rides, Lorraine Hansberry (http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/blackspeech/lhansberry.html), and the famous Chicago saying "We don't want nobody nobody sent" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiAaa6IEACg), which Matt told me about. Maya "Keytar" Kuper is sitting behind me. Larry O. Dean has been throwing Folk You! monthly for 19 years with a single cancellation due to weather. 12 months x 19 years x 3-4 songwriters x 5 songs = around 4,000 songs.

"Precious Rhinestone"
 
This road, you built it yourself, you laid that asphalt down
Your escape right out of your factory town
When you cross the red steel bridge over the railroad yard
Your pain may disappear, you'll lower your guard

You're a nobody nobody sent, a raisin in the sun
The past is a string of events about to come undone

You got your carpet bag you bought for a song
Worry lines on your face, you won't be worried long
Push your luck like pedals on your old bike if you please
Rubber hits the road you push through the rust with ease

You're a nobody nobody sent, a raisin in the sun
The past is a string of events about to come undone

Just past the Skyway Toll, you check your face in your phone
Paint your lips red and line your eyes
You're a precious rhinestone

You're a nobody nobody sent, a raisin in the sun
The past is a string of events about to come undone

The chords in the verses are D and G. In the chorus, E, D, E, C, B, C, A, D. In the bridge, A, D, A, E, D.