NEW TRICKS: ART, AESTHETICS, AND MONEY

(album: AMERICAN GURL - 2022)

Can't teach new tricks to an old dog
Riding 'round the strip in an old car
Teach new tricks to an old dog
Never wear the leash of the old guard
Been around the block, bet you missed her
Never sit and stay for a picture
Never wagged a tail, would have bit ya
Look at how they lap and they lick ya

Congeniality is a basis for content
Peddling narcissism wrapped in self-love and progress
You want it, I got it
This soul is a bargain
America, the land of pretty people and monsters
Disneyland spin-off of privilege and products
Compete with our drama
Clawed out from the bucket
Pretenders as artists
Selling scoundrels and follies

A link, a platinum leash affixed to my wallet
My hand, my stone-laced hand affixed to my pocket
My heart, my ice cold box remiss of her conduct
A row of gold dipped caps affixed to my gum line

Can't teach new tricks to an old dog
Riding 'round the strip in an old car
Teach new tricks to an old dog
Never wear the leash of the old guard
Been around the block, bet you missed her
Never sit and stay for a picture
Never wagged a tail, would have bit ya
Look at how they lap and they lick ya

Pull me along
Man, you're yanking my collar
Can't dance for your dollar again
Yeah

What's the new kick?
What's the new gig?
What's the new schtick?
Who's the new flesh?
To sink our teeth in?
Oh, then we drink their youthful spring
And run them dry, count checks, keep it moving
My life condensed to targets
Audiences and their pockets (I see you)
When redwoods fall, seem all and all
We're left with noise and sawdust (Everybody hand's up)
Individuality, unique as a Walmart (So special)
Exercising thought process, complete as a donut
Look at that over there, audacity totems
They claim who make the grade, no, you meet the quota
(Let's go)

Can't teach new tricks to an old dog
Riding 'round the strip in an old car
Teach new tricks to an old dog
Never wear the leash of the old guard
Been around the block, bet you missed her
Never sit and stay for a picture
Never wagged a tail, would have bit ya
Look at how they lap and they lick ya

Pull me along (Pull me along)
Man you're yanking my collar (On my collar)
Can't dance for your dollar again
Yeah

How can I waste my time?
Love, you can have it, take my place in line
I'm sitting pretty, dipped in raw sunshine
Been known to shake a cage or two at times
How can I waste my time?
The ceiling is vaulted and your glass reprimed
Pulled linen curtains from across my eyes?
Life is too long to be so pacified
(Let's go)