I walked past just yesterday
And I couldn’t bear that new mall no more.
I don’t expect you’re gonna feel my way,
But you don’t know the trees that were there before.
Now I want them to put back that old corner store.I walked past just like I say
And I felt a hurt that would not go home.
I don’t expect you’re gonna see it my way,
But you may not know the trees I’ve known,
And I want them to put back that corner store.Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner store
Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner storeI don’t care if it costs more money to shop there,
‘Cause this was love, because this was love.
I don’t care if you have to walk longer,
I’ll walk further, I’ll pay more.
I don’t really want what the new mall’s got,
I want what they got in that corner store.And what did I feel when I walked by slow?
I felt sorrow, sorrow, all around.
Why I would feel that way? I know:
I smelled a ghost smell from the ground,
That old wooden smell of the corner store.Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner store
Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner storeI walked past to survey the scene
And I wished the worst for the place I shop.
I don’t expect you’re gonna know quite what I mean,
But I spot a trend that has got to stop,
I want them to put back that corner store.Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner store
Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner storeI walked past just one last time
And I couldn’t soothe my poor heart’s pain.
I don’t expect for you to feel like I’m,
I just want you to dig what I now name:
I want them to put back that corner store.Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner store
Bam a nib a nib a nib a way oh
Bam a nib a nib a way oh web oh
Bam a nib a nib a no Corner store Corner store
[audio:Jonathan_Richman___Corner_Store.mp3]
“Corner Store” written and performed by Jonathan Richman,
from It’s Time for Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (1986)
6 responses so far ↓
1 Elisa M // May 12, 2008 at 12:45 PM
This is GREAT! I feel the same way, even while working for a big box retailer. Hypocritical? Probably. I want corner stores and family farms and indie shops and knowing who made the things I eat and buy and use…
2 spitballarmy // May 12, 2008 at 12:51 PM
It’s tough watching so many of them drift away over time. Don’t I know!
Maybe you can help me figure out what Jonathan’s singing in that [???] line, Elisa?…
3 Winston Smith // May 12, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Lame Ass Scene?
http://www.thequietus.com/2008/05/the-strange-and-frightening-world-of-jonathan-richman/
But Jonathan would certainly use the phrase “survey the scene,” so I’ll rescind my vote.
4 Elisa M // May 12, 2008 at 2:32 PM
OK, I have listened to it far too many times now! I think I’ve got it…
“I walked past to survey the scene…”
5 spitballarmy // May 12, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Thanks, E…I owe you an ice-cold can of Miller High Life!
6 Elisa M // May 12, 2008 at 2:53 PM
My first thought was Lame Ass Scene…but upon my 158,724,551st listen, I came to the conclusion that it is Survey the Scene.
Fred – perhaps at the next Spots show I will take that beer?! I do love to live the High Life.
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