A Gallon Of Gas

Written by: Ray Davies

Published by: Davray Music Ltd.

Chord file

Lyrics:

I've been waiting for years to buy a brand new cadillac
But now that I've got one I want to send it right back
I can't afford the gas to fill my luxury limousine
But even if I had the dough no one's got no gasoline

I went to my local dealer to see if he could set me straight
He said there's a little gas going but I'd have to wait
But he offered some red hot speed and some really high grade hash
But a gallon of gas can't be purchased anywhere for any amount of cash

I can score you some coke and some grade one grass
But I can't get a gallon of gas
I've got some downers some speed all the drugs that you need
But I can't get a gallon of gas
There's no more left to buy or sell
There's no more oil left in the well
A gallon of gas can't be purchased anywhere
For any amount of cash

two extra verses from long version:
I love your body-work, but you're really no use
How can I drive you when I got no juice?
Because it's stuck in neutral and my engine's got no speed
And the highways are deserted
and the air smells unnaturally clean.

It's got power-assisted overdrive and carpets on the floor,
but it's parked out front just like a dead dinosaur.
And I'll be paying off the bank for 45 years or more.
It should go 100 miles an hour,
but it's never moved away from my door.

Who needs a car and a seven-forty-seven
When you can't buy a gallon of gas
Who needs a highway, an airport or a jet
When you can't get a gallon of gas
There's no more left to buy or sell
There's no more oil left in the well
A gallon of gas can't be purchased anywhere
For any amount of cash
You can't buy a gallon of gas

This song can be found on the following releases:

stereo mix, shorter edit (2:41), recorded 20-30 May, 1979 (backing track), early Jun 1979 (vocals) at Power Station, New York (backing track), Blue Rock Studios, New York (vocals)
Low Budget 10 Jul, 1979 USA Arista AB 4240 12" vinyl LP (album), 33 1/3 RPM
Low Budget 7 Sep, 1979 UK Arista SPART 1099 12" vinyl LP (album), 33 1/3 RPM
Low Budget May 1985 USA Arista ARCD-8050 CD
Low Budget 1986 Germany Arista 251 146 CD

stereo mix, longer edit with extra verse (3:41), recorded 20-30 May, 1979 (backing track), early Jun 1979 (vocals) at Power Station, New York (backing track), Blue Rock Studios, New York (vocals)
A Gallon Of Gas/Low Budget Aug 1979 USA Arista AS 0448 7" vinyl single, 45 RPM
Low Budget 27 Apr, 1999 USA Konk/Velvel 63467-79727-2 CD
Low Budget 27 Apr, 1999 USA Konk/Velvel 63467-79727-2 CD
Come Dancing With The Kinks/The Best Of The Kinks 1977-1986 24 Oct, 2000 USA Konk/Velvel/Koch VEL-79733 CD
Low Budget 6 May, 2003 USA Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab CMFSA2008 SACD (hybrid)
Low Budget 6 May, 2003 USA Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab CMFSA2008 SACD (hybrid)
Low Budget 7 Nov, 2006 USA Konk/Koch VEL-SC-79817 SACD (hybrid)
Low Budget 7 Nov, 2006 USA Konk/Koch VEL-SC-79817 SACD (hybrid)
Greatest Hits 1970-1986 30 Oct, 2007 USA Konk/Velvel/Koch Records VEL-79822 3 CD set

mono mix, previously unreleased longer edit with studio chatter (4:30), recorded 20-30 May, 1979 (backing track), early Jun 1979 (vocals) at Power Station, New York (backing track), Blue Rock Studios, New York (vocals)
Picture Book 8 Dec, 2008 UK Universal/Sanctuary 5313049 Multi CD box set

live, stereo mix, recorded 11 Apr, 1994 at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
To The Bone 15 Oct, 1996 USA Guardian 7243 8 37303 2 2 2 CD set
To The Bone 3 Mar, 1997 UK Guardian 7243 8 37303 2 1 2 CD set


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