Story Behind The Song
Written initially as a song to submit to the John Lennon songwriting contest... fingers crossed! The message of the song is timeless.
Song Description
An appeal to everyone that even the smallest things matter.
| Song Length |
4:17 |
Genre |
R & B - General, R & B - Classic |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Sociable, Engaging |
Subject |
Hope, Encouragement |
| Similar Artists |
Michael McDonald, Marc Cohn |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
SIX O'CLOCK ON THE CITY STREET
THE WORLD PASSIN' BY.
AS A YOUNG BOY AND AN OLD GUITAR
GIVE ROBERT JOHNSON ONE MORE TRY.
"GOT A KINDHEARTED WOMAN"
HE'S BEEN WAILIN' SINCE FIVE
NOW AIN'T IT WORTH A FEW BUCKS MY FRIEND
TO KEEP A LEGEND ALIVE?
I'M SAYIN' USE WHAT YOU GOT
TO DO WHAT YOU CAN
USE WHAT YOU GOT
TO DO WHAT YOU CAN
A GREYHOUND STOPS ON MAIN STREET.
A SOLDIER'S COMIN' HOME.
NO PARADE, NOT A SINGLE "THANK YOU" SIGN
SALUTE HER UNIFORM.
WILL YOU STAND AT ATTENTION
WHEN YOU SEE HER RESUME,
WILL YOU REMEMBER THE COST OF OUR FREEDOM
AND THE DEBT WE'RE BOUND TO PAY
JUST USE WHAT YOU GOT
TO DO WHAT YOU CAN
USE WHAT YOU GOT
TO DO WHAT YOU CAN
YOU GOTTA USE WHAT YOU GOT
TO DO WHAT YOU CAN,
AND WE CAN TOUCH EVERY WOMAN
EVERY CHILD AND MAN.
IT DON'T TAKE A PRESIDENT
IT DON'T TAKE A KING
LIFE IS THE SONG
WE WERE ALL BORN TO SING
SING IT WITH ME NOW
IF ALL YOU GOT IS A STAMP,
WRITE A LONELY GIRL A LETTER.
(USE WHAT YOU GOT)
IF YOU ONLY GOT YARN AND A NEEDLE,
KNIT A COLD MAN A SWEATER.
(USE WHAT YOU GOT)
IF YOU AIN'T GOT BUT A BOOK
GO ON AND HELP SOMEONE TO READ
IF ALL YOU GOT IS YOUR HEART MY FRIEND
YOU CAN SHARE IT WITH A SOUL IN NEED
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MILLIONAIRE
TO SHOW SOMEBODY THAT YOU CARE
BROTHERS AND SISTERS, JUST USE WHAT YOU GOT
CHORUS