Pawn Shop

Producer

Mar. 6, 20201 viewer

Pawn Shop Lyrics

[Verse 1]
She pushed her wedding ring across the counter
And said, "Tell me that it's worth more than I think
There's a bus to Baton Rouge, leaves in an hour
And ninety dollars cash buys me a seat
That quarter-carat picture-perfect dream
Wasn't all it was cracked up to be

[Chorus]
"But it ain't stolen, it ain't hot
Someone told me it cost a lot
Man, ain't that the truth
I thought I'd wear it my whole life
It never even crossed my mind
Back when it was new
It'd end up in a pawn shop on Charlotte Avenue"

[Verse 2]
He walked in with it slung over his shoulder
He said, "Man, you'll never give me a fair price
But this young man's town's just watching me get older
And the songs I sing don't feed my kids and wife
There's a few belt buckle scratches on the back
And the B-string tends to fall a little flat

[Chorus]
"But it ain't stolen, it ain't hot
Someone told me it cost a lot
Man, ain't that the truth
I thought I'd play it my whole life
It never even crossed my mind
Back when it was new
It'd end up in a pawn shop on Charlotte Avenue"

[Bridge]
Dreams don't die, even when they're broken
Tomorrow, when that sign says open
That guitar or that wedding band
Will start a new dream, second-hand

[Chorus]
It ain't stolen, it ain't hot
Someone told me it cost a lot
Man, ain't that the truth
I thought I'd own it my whole life
It never even crossed my mind
Back when it was new
It'd end up in a pawn shop on Charlotte Avenue

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About

This song bio is unreviewed

Although Brandy Clark is known for her meticulous character studies on flawed, everyday people, “Pawn Shop” is unique in its use of a setting as a central character. This setting is a pawn shop on one of Nashville’s principal streets, Charlotte Avenue. The song’s poignant message is delivered as Brandy sings of the once-beloved possessions of two separate patrons, and how the sentimental status of their items can be reduced to an insignificant price at the cash-lending business.

“Pawn Shop” is one of the few songs on Your Life is a Record that is devoid of blue-eyed soul influences or Memphis Strings & Horns arrangements. Sitting primarily in the realm of soft rock, the song is driven by a frolicking drum beat and a simple bass guitar, with mandolin and acoustic guitar flourishes providing an organic texture reminiscent of Brandy’s more folky material. The song’s production climaxes during the bridge when a syncopated bass line is introduced to accompany the optimistic twist in the lyrics.