This one's for you Al Freed,

Wherever you go, whatever you do

'Cause the things they're doing today

Will make a saint out of you

Payola blues.

I've got the payola blues

Even though I already paid my dues.



Listen to me Mr. D.J.,

hear what I've got to say

If a man is making music,

they ought to let his record play.

Payola blues

No matter where I go

I never hear my record on the radio.



Well, here's three thousand,

that ought to get it on.

Well, thanks a lot man!

I love your new song.

Payola blues

No matter where I go

I never hear my record on the radio.



And it goes like this.



I got a brand new record company,

new manager too.

Got a great new record,

I can't get through to you.

Payola blues

No matter where I go

I never hear my record on the radio.



How about this new Mercedes Benz,

that ought to get it on.

Well, thanks a lot man!

I'll play it all day long.

Payola blues

No matter where I go

I never hear my record on the radio.



I've got the payola blues, payola blues

I'm paying those payola blues

No matter where I go

I never hear my record on the radio.