Edith and the Kingpin - Live

by Joni Mitchell

From the album: Shadows and Light

Track 3 of 19 on Shadows and Light (1980).

Duration: 4:09

Shadows and Light cover art

Lyrics for Edith and the Kingpin - Live

The big man arrives Disco dancers greet him Plainclothes cops greet him Small town, big man, fresh lipstick glistening Sophomore jive From victims of typewriters The band sounds like typewriters The big man he's not listening His eyes hold edith His left hand holds his right What does that hand desire That he grips it so tight Edith in the ring The passed-over girls are conferring The man with the diamond ring is purring All claws for now withdrawn One by one they bring His renegade stories to her His crimes and his glories to her In challenge they look on Women he has wanted grow old too soon He tilts their tired faces Gently to the spoon Edith in his bed A plane in the rain is humming The wires in the walls are humming Some song-some mysterious song Bars in her head Beating frantic and snowblind Romantic and snowblind She says-his crime belongs Edith and the kingpin Each with charm to sway Are staring eye to eye They dare not look away You know they dare not look away

Listen On

More from Shadows and Light

  1. Introduction - Live
  2. In France They Kiss on Main Street - Live
  3. Edith and the Kingpin - Live
  4. Coyote - Live
  5. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - Live
  6. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Live
  7. Amelia - Live
  8. Pat's Solo - Live
  9. Hejira - Live
  10. Black Crow - Live
  11. Don's Solo - Live
  12. Dreamland - Live
  13. Free Man in Paris - Live
  14. Band Introduction - Live
  15. Furry Sings the Blues - Live
  16. Why Do Fools Fall in Love? - Live
  17. Shadows and Light - Live
  18. God Must Be a Boogie Man - Live
  19. Woodstock - Live