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Neil Young – Payola Blues (1983) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
Neil Young
Everybody’s Rockin’
Payola Blues

TRACK

Payola Blues

Release date: 27th July 1983

From Everybody’s Rockin’

More on Neil Young

About This Track

"Payola Blues" is a track by Neil Young, from the album Everybody’s Rockin’, released 27th July 1983. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about Neil Young.

About the Artist

Neil Young

Neil Young

Lyrics

Payola Blues

[Intro]

This one's for you, Al Freed

[Verse 1]

Wherever you go, whatever you do

Because the things they're doing today will make a saint out of you

[Chorus]

Payola blues

I've got the payola blues even though I already paid my dues

[Verse 2]

Listen to me, Mr. DJ, hear what I've got to say

If a man is making music, they ought to let his record play

[Chorus]

Payola blues

No matter where I go, I never hear my record on the radio

[Verse 3]

"Well, here's three thousand, that ought to get it on"

"Well, thanks a lot man, I love your new song"

[Chorus]

Payola blues

No matter where I go, I never hear my record on the radio

It goes like this

[Harmonica Solo]

[Verse 4]

I got a brand new record company, new manager too

Got a great new record I can't get through to you

[Chorus]

Payola blues

No matter where I go, I never hear my record on the radio

[Verse 5]

How about this new Mercedes Benz? That ought to get it on

Well, thanks a lot man, I'll play it all day long

[Chorus]

Payola blues

No matter where I go, I never hear my record on the radio

[Harmonica Solo]

[Outro]

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

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Everybody’s Rockin’

1983

Listen

Album

Everybody’s Rockin’

Release year

1983

—Cry, Cry, Cry
—Wonderin'
—Rainin' in My Heart
—Mystery Train
—Kinda Fonda Wanda
—Bright Lights, Big City
—Jellyroll Man
—Betty Lou's Got a New Pair of Shoes
—Payola Blues
—Everybody's Rockin'

Watch the music video

Neil Young — Payola Blues

Neil Young — Payola Blues

Payola Blues

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READ MORE ABOUT NEIL YOUNG

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Neil Young has cancelled his appearance at Glastonbury 2025, describing the festival as a "corporate turn-off"

Neil Young has cancelled his appearance at Glastonbury 2025, describing the festival as a "corporate turn-off"

Neil Young has withdrawn from Glastonbury 2025, objecting to the BBC partnership.

1 Jan 2025 • 9:46 pm

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: Ben Keith, Neil Young
Producer: Elliot Mazer, Neil Young