Cannot play it here? Download the song (MP3).
Forty dollars!
Somebody asked the mayor if the records fees went higher
On account of all the camera questions, and the mayor said yes sir.
Said the town's got a right to charge for records well, I'll grant that one, my friend,
So the clerk sharpened up a pencil, and here's how the numbers end
Forty dollars an hour!
Forty dollars an hour!
Don't cost a dime to get my picture took
But it's forty dollars an hour to take a look!
Fourteen to nineteen hours on the estimate they wrote,
Ten to fifteen of 'em lawyer time, now that's a pricey note,
Five-sixty to seven-sixty, and you get one copy, too,
And the town decides the format, so here's lookin' at you.
Forty dollars an hour!
Forty dollars an hour!
Don't cost a dime to get my picture took
But it's forty dollars an hour to take a look!
Now fair's fair, the paperwork's real, and a lawyer's time ain't free,
But there ain't no bill in my mailbox when the camera snaps at me,
So here's the cheapest deal in Glenrock, and it won't cost you a dime
Council, keep your oath, and vote 'em down this time.
Forty dollars an hour!
Forty dollars an hour!
Don't cost a dime to get my picture took
But it's forty dollars an hour to take a look!
Picture's free...
Forty dollars an hour!