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 gotta 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. 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.
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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. 5 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32547357/Glenn+Frey/Smuggler%27s+Blues>.
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