Ry Cooder — The Very Thing That Makes You Rich
Album: Bop Till You DropAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1721
Length: 5:22
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My father told me, lying on his bed of death,
"Boy," he says, "woman she's gonna make it, don't fool yourself
'Cause she's got something to make a man lay that money, uh, right in
her
hand
And the very thing that makes her rich will make you poor
The very thing that makes her rich will make you poor"
That's right!
Well, I put you behind the wheel of a deuce and a quarter, yes I did
Had you living like a rich man's daughter, yes I did, I sure did
While you were living high on the hog
You had me down here scuffling like a dog
Well, the very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
The very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
Don't you never ever make such a bad mistake
You know I'd rather climb into bed with a rattlesnake
Then to work hard every day bringing that woman all my pay
The very thing that makes you rich makes me poor,
Makes me so damn poor
The thing that makes her rich makes me poor
The very thing that makes you rich make me poor
Very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
Makes me so damned poor
Money won't change it, no no...
"Boy," he says, "woman she's gonna make it, don't fool yourself
'Cause she's got something to make a man lay that money, uh, right in
her
hand
And the very thing that makes her rich will make you poor
The very thing that makes her rich will make you poor"
That's right!
Well, I put you behind the wheel of a deuce and a quarter, yes I did
Had you living like a rich man's daughter, yes I did, I sure did
While you were living high on the hog
You had me down here scuffling like a dog
Well, the very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
The very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
Don't you never ever make such a bad mistake
You know I'd rather climb into bed with a rattlesnake
Then to work hard every day bringing that woman all my pay
The very thing that makes you rich makes me poor,
Makes me so damn poor
The thing that makes her rich makes me poor
The very thing that makes you rich make me poor
Very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
Makes me so damned poor
Money won't change it, no no...
Comments (318)add comment
Is this song politically correct in today's society, hmmm. Who cares, I f'n love it, always have!!! 
Remember buying this album. Loved it.
That's right indeed Ry. Well spoke!
This is what happens when you hook up with a wry cooter!
Serious Boppage
At the risk of being called 'sexist' may I just say that this song rings true, listen up!
ncollingridge wrote:
On the matter of the backing vocalists I saw them in London with Ry Cooder and notably with John Hiatt. They played a number of tracks from Bop Till You Drop and Borderline, strangely at a conventional theatre in Whitehall. I think it would have been late '81. They, the vocalists, were bang on note perfect all night, most surprisingly so for Go Home Girl. It was properly astonishing.
I have totally loved this album ever since its release. And those backing singers on this track in particular demonstrate so well how much backing vocals can add to a track. Totally brilliant. Regarding the sound - personally I have always found it well balanced, clean, and punchy, and I cannot see that being an early digital recording has handicapped it in any way. The warmth of the performances still shines through.
On the matter of the backing vocalists I saw them in London with Ry Cooder and notably with John Hiatt. They played a number of tracks from Bop Till You Drop and Borderline, strangely at a conventional theatre in Whitehall. I think it would have been late '81. They, the vocalists, were bang on note perfect all night, most surprisingly so for Go Home Girl. It was properly astonishing.
The whole album is a 9 or 10. Gorgeous.
One of my favorite albums to relax to. Not a weak song anywhere, IMO. Just drop the needle into the beginning groove and let the tonearm glide on. 
I have totally loved this album ever since its release. And those backing singers on this track in particular demonstrate so well how much backing vocals can add to a track. Totally brilliant. Regarding the sound - personally I have always found it well balanced, clean, and punchy, and I cannot see that being an early digital recording has handicapped it in any way. The warmth of the performances still shines through.
I have owned this since release and thanks my fellow RP comrades for reminding me that it was actually one of, if not the very first widely available digital recordings. Maybe analogue has proven the test of time but it was cutting edge back then.
Thanks RP also for playing some "good-ol" Ry Cooder. He's had so many diverse projects that sometimes we forget how great a singer, songwriter, player he is.
And following my earlier nod to Can Con - remember the Tragically Hip Lyrics
Whispers of disease and the acts of enormity
And lower me slowly and sadly and properly
Get Ry Cooder to sing my eulogy......
Ironic.
I wonder if there was Ry Cooder music at Gord Downie's close and intimate family gathering.............
Thanks for ALL this RP
G
Their_Dad wrote:
True. I remember buying this when it was first released. I also remember being surprised at the relative leanness of the sound as compared to what I was used to hearing on vinyl. I listened to that record recently and came to the same conclusion. Digital recording has improved since then but I still prefer analog.
Here's a thing... This is actually one of the first fully digital recordings. I remember the album cover made mention of it. Who'd have thought.
True. I remember buying this when it was first released. I also remember being surprised at the relative leanness of the sound as compared to what I was used to hearing on vinyl. I listened to that record recently and came to the same conclusion. Digital recording has improved since then but I still prefer analog.
I agree with others posters, there should be more of Cooder on RP. Tons of American roots music from this man with some of the best musicians. Chaka Kahn, Jim Keltner, Tim Drumond and Ronnie Barron all play on this album.
Other album are I Flathead, Into the Purple Valley, Jazz, Chavez Ravine all covering music that tell the history of this country.
All RP Worthy
Come on Bill!
Other album are I Flathead, Into the Purple Valley, Jazz, Chavez Ravine all covering music that tell the history of this country.
All RP Worthy
Come on Bill!
S-curvy wrote:
If you are talking about the backup singers , that's Bobby King and Terry Evans. They sing on a bunch of Cooders stuff.
Is that "The Blind Boys" we hear on vocals?
If you are talking about the backup singers , that's Bobby King and Terry Evans. They sing on a bunch of Cooders stuff.
jbuhl wrote:
How many people know what a duece N quarter is?
Here's a thing... This is actually one of the first fully digital recordings. I remember the album cover made mention of it. Who'd have thought.
Lovin me some Ry Cooder on this hot Invasion Day fiwn under.
RichW wrote:
Gotta agree with that.
More Ry!
And Scotch!
And Bourbon!
Not enough Ry on RP.
Gotta agree with that.
More Ry!
And Scotch!
And Bourbon!
Not enough Ry on RP.
Check youtube for a great live version of this and other Ry classics.
Check youtube for a great live version of this and other Ry classics.
oufason wrote:
Actually 225 was not an engine but a car model line. The line's name came from the bumper to bumper length of the car when it was introduced in 59
I knew I had that wrong right after I submitted it. Thank you for correcting this users bogus information. I guess I just got excited thinking about all of that power!
Actually 225 was not an engine but a car model line. The line's name came from the bumper to bumper length of the car when it was introduced in 59
I knew I had that wrong right after I submitted it. Thank you for correcting this users bogus information. I guess I just got excited thinking about all of that power!
chinacat wrote:
They put that engine with positraction in Buicks in the 70's. My Dad liked muscle cars when I was in high school. We laid our fair share of rubber.
Actually 225 was not an engine but a car model line. The line's name came from the bumper to bumper length of the car when it was introduced in 59
They put that engine with positraction in Buicks in the 70's. My Dad liked muscle cars when I was in high school. We laid our fair share of rubber.
Actually 225 was not an engine but a car model line. The line's name came from the bumper to bumper length of the car when it was introduced in 59
jbuhl wrote:
They put that engine with positraction in Buicks in the 70's. My Dad liked muscle cars when I was in high school. We laid our fair share of rubber.
How many people know what a duece N quarter is?
They put that engine with positraction in Buicks in the 70's. My Dad liked muscle cars when I was in high school. We laid our fair share of rubber.
Facts happening In this one. Fer totes.
Judging from the other comments it's a great song. However, I think it's terribly simplistic. Typical of 1979.
How many people know what a duece N quarter is?
Stunning, truly stunning. The man is a genius.
Really liking both the sentiment and the groove on this. Smoother than a very smooth thing...
Life stories in music.
You had me down here scuffling like a purebred dog.
Sounds like the The things that made me laugh now make me cry by Joan Osborne.
For some reason I had this only rated as a 9. It's fixed now.
ajlept wrote:
THE first. At least that's what the sticker on my album said.
One of the first digitally recorded albums. Bought it for that reason and was pleasantly surprised by both his talent and content of the songs. Thanks Ry and Bill!
THE first. At least that's what the sticker on my album said.
One of the first digitally recorded albums. Bought it for that reason and was pleasantly surprised by both his talent and content of the songs. Thanks Ry and Bill!
sergeant_x wrote:
Rich, it's rich.
"The very thing that makes her itch will make you poor" ?
I suppose it might at that!
I suppose it might at that!
Rich, it's rich.
blind willie mctell meets townes vanzant
I still have my vinyl original and was only playing it a couple of days ago - great album, great artist. 
Only three Ry Cooder tracks in the library Bill?
And one of them has never been played! C'mon Bill 
Only three Ry Cooder tracks in the library Bill?
And one of them has never been played! C'mon Bill back to back w Wilco Jesus etc. 
great, classic sounds
wruffner wrote:
Still gives me chicken skin after all these years...
Still gives me chicken skin after all these years...
"The very thing that makes her itch will make you poor" ?
I suppose it might at that!
I suppose it might at that!
..... great track and album so it's a big F A T "Outstanding" for me Poacher wrote:
Yeah, but just listen through once paying attention to that bass. Awesome.
I'd give my right arm to play guitar like this. No, wait. . . that won't work.
Yeah, but just listen through once paying attention to that bass. Awesome.
Is that "The Blind Boys" we hear on vocals?
Horribly overlooked, but -always- a pleasure to hear his music... It seems to never age...
Just gets better like fine whiskey... or maybe I'm growing up some...
Older yes... Upper -? Jury is still out
Just gets better like fine whiskey... or maybe I'm growing up some...
Older yes... Upper -? Jury is still out
about time for another slice of RY, THANKS BILL....
Don't recall ever hearing this.... like it!!
"Well, I put you behind the wheel of a deuce and a quarter" ...
Haven't heard that term in a long time. Buick Electra 225: big old boulevard cruiser. Last model manufactured in 1980.
Haven't heard that term in a long time. Buick Electra 225: big old boulevard cruiser. Last model manufactured in 1980.
yessssssssssss, mo 
ry.......indeed.......can't I have mo? (I finished my &yo fu) beats mo
ron..........
This is one of the RP sets that date to my beginning RP years: JA - STL, Wico - Jesus, Etc., and this. Very memorable for me and many others, I'm sure.
ajlept wrote:
I vote for the "better" only based on the content. A fine "LP."
And that little cracker last year from Mr Wry: Mutt Romney Blues. What a gem.
I vote for the "better" only based on the content. A fine "LP."
And that little cracker last year from Mr Wry: Mutt Romney Blues. What a gem.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I vote for the "better" only based on the content. A fine "LP."
1979; this holds the distinction, for better or worse, of being the first digitally recorded album.
I vote for the "better" only based on the content. A fine "LP."
There is this guitatar riff in the 2nd half of the song... been disturbing an easy mind for over 30 years... the bees they do buzz.
1979; this holds the distinction, for better or worse, of being the first digitally recorded album.
run4more wrote:
Good call
Seems like J.J. Cale and Ry Cooder should have gotten together at some point—maybe to do something like this. I can kinda hear it...
Good call
This song is the opposite of the Joan Osborne tune The Same Love That Made Me Laugh ..........Made me Cry
ironic album cover? As ironic as this one?
skyguy wrote:
bobby king-terry evans
Saw Terry Evans in concert this last spring when he passed through SLC. Such an awesome voice and one of the nicest guys I've had the pleasure to meet. I requested him to play "Jesus on the mainline" and he played it for his final number to get everyone dancing.
bobby king-terry evans
Saw Terry Evans in concert this last spring when he passed through SLC. Such an awesome voice and one of the nicest guys I've had the pleasure to meet. I requested him to play "Jesus on the mainline" and he played it for his final number to get everyone dancing.
cShaggy wrote:
..i heard an Eminence Front-y riff..?..coulda been The Who riffing Ry, tho..
Good ear. I think Cooder predates The Who's tune by at least three years. Man, this guy is so good. Nobody has this type of sneaky rhythm.
..i heard an Eminence Front-y riff..?..coulda been The Who riffing Ry, tho..
Good ear. I think Cooder predates The Who's tune by at least three years. Man, this guy is so good. Nobody has this type of sneaky rhythm.
Seems like J.J. Cale and Ry Cooder should have gotten together at some point—maybe to do something like this. I can kinda hear it...
ziakut wrote:
..i heard an Eminence Front-y riff..?..coulda been The Who riffing Ry, tho..
A sneaky groove this has. Oh, how I love this. Yep.
..i heard an Eminence Front-y riff..?..coulda been The Who riffing Ry, tho..
A sneaky groove this has. Oh, how I love this. Yep.
Love Ry and this whole album.
Also feel lucky that I got to see Terry Evans (one of thebackground singers on this album and others) this past summer at a tiny club in Salt Lake. what a great voice and a real gentleman.
Also feel lucky that I got to see Terry Evans (one of thebackground singers on this album and others) this past summer at a tiny club in Salt Lake. what a great voice and a real gentleman.
gypsyman wrote:
Give the CD another chance. I really love it from first track to last.
I love this song. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of the rest of the CD. Perhaps its my lack of exposure.
Give the CD another chance. I really love it from first track to last.
Sublime.
gypsyman wrote:
'Down In Hollywood' is great fun. Spin that one up sometime!
I love this song. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of the rest of the CD. Perhaps its my lack of exposure.
'Down In Hollywood' is great fun. Spin that one up sometime!
LaurieinTucson wrote:
bobby king-terry evans
Are those the Blind Boys in the background?
bobby king-terry evans
skyguy wrote:
Or Chicken Skin Music. Yum.
I love Ry but can we get something else from his vast repertoire? Like something from the "Jazz" album?
Or Chicken Skin Music. Yum.
I love this song. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of the rest of the CD. Perhaps its my lack of exposure.
Let them eat cake.
skyguy wrote:
I second this.
I love Ry but can we get something else from his vast repertoire? Like something from the "Jazz" album?
I second this.
I love Ry but can we get something else from his vast repertoire? Like something from the "Jazz" album?
Oh yeah, excellent one from excellent Ry. Love the CD he did with Ali Farka Toure.
This just came up on my PSD today ...
Poacher wrote:
Fred Riley:-
Arf! I'd give me right arm to be ambidextrous :o)
I'd give my right arm to play guitar like this. No, wait. . . that won't work.
Fred Riley:-
Arf! I'd give me right arm to be ambidextrous :o)
Oh you two......
Poacher wrote:
Arf! I'd give me right arm to be ambidextrous :o)
I'd give my right arm to play guitar like this. No, wait. . . that won't work.
Arf! I'd give me right arm to be ambidextrous :o)
toterola wrote:
Bump.........3rd Party is not possible ? BS
Apparently Ry was on the Populist tip along time ago. Who knew?
This song of his is one of the "unofficial anthems" of the Occupy Movement. Bless their toils and hearts.
This song of his is one of the "unofficial anthems" of the Occupy Movement. Bless their toils and hearts.
Bump.........3rd Party is not possible ? BS
Ry is a treasure. Along w/ fellow rising son, Taj!
Money won't change it oh no!
Money won't change it oh no!
Still my vote for best slide player around.
Apparently Ry was on the Populist tip along time ago. Who knew?
This song of his is one of the "unofficial anthems" of the Occupy Movement. Bless their toils and hearts.
This song of his is one of the "unofficial anthems" of the Occupy Movement. Bless their toils and hearts.
Theme song for the Occupy movement.
I remember borrowing this LP from the Library and taping it onto a C60 tape many, many years ago. Top tune.
Are those the Blind Boys in the background?
Toes are a-tapping!
If I didn't have eyes I'd say he was a fat black man with wrinkly skin. :-)
Poacher wrote:
Left arm. No...needed for fret work. Right foot... might need for pedal. Left foot... needed for counter-balance when using right-foot pedal. Any other extremities you could live without?
I'd give my right arm to play guitar like this. No, wait. . . that won't work.
Left arm. No...needed for fret work. Right foot... might need for pedal. Left foot... needed for counter-balance when using right-foot pedal. Any other extremities you could live without?
Wry Cooter?
Poacher wrote:
I'd give my right arm to play guitar like this. No, wait. . . that won't work.
During the guitar intro, for a moment I was expecting Treetop Flyer.
As nice as that would have been, this is better.
As nice as that would have been, this is better.
...from buena vista social club
"call me old fashioned folks... I really don't care... but this is the real music! that music that can touch your soul...there was something magic to Ibrahim Ferrer...was he a genius? an artist? or an angel?"bogdancomm
Dos gardenias para ti
con ellas quiero decir
te quiero, te adoro, mi vida.
Ponles toda tu atencion
porque son tu corazon y el mio.
Dos gardenias para ti
que tendran todo el calor de un beso
de esos que te di
y que jamas encontraras
en el calor de otro querer.
A tu lado viviran y te hablaran
como cuando estas conmigo
y hasta creeras
que te diran te quiero.
Pero si un atardecer
las gardenias de mi amor se mueren
es porque han adivinado
que tu amor me ha traicionado
porque existe otro querer.
I have been listening to this album ever since the year it came out on digital, and it has never paled no matter how many plays.
There aren't many others I can say the same about.
It represented in my mind the very distillation of everything I always loved about his style, and still makes me stop what I'm doing every time.
There aren't many others I can say the same about.
It represented in my mind the very distillation of everything I always loved about his style, and still makes me stop what I'm doing every time.
jptl wrote:
A true motorhead that can play a mean guitar (not to be outstaged by the late great Danny Gatton -another fantastic guitar-playing motorhead).
Or Jeff Beck.
A true motorhead that can play a mean guitar (not to be outstaged by the late great Danny Gatton -another fantastic guitar-playing motorhead).
Or Jeff Beck.
I'd give my right arm to play guitar like this. No, wait. . . that won't work.
I have several of his albums including this one. Good stuff!
I heard it.....twice! 9
jptl wrote:
To my ears that sound sticks out every time. It's actually on the vinyl (which I've had for, well, a long time). It's funny because I always thought I'd scratched my record and I'd hear it when I played cassettes I'd made from the album. Years later I heard it - maybe here - and heard the "scratch! Cracked me up!
And, yeah, I always thought this was the best track, too.
there's a recording glitch on this track that I just noticed. I thought it was unique to the copy of my CD, but it must be in the master.
It's a digital crack/hiss. Anyone else notice this?
...not that it takes anything away from this great track (by far the best on the album).
It's a digital crack/hiss. Anyone else notice this?
...not that it takes anything away from this great track (by far the best on the album).
To my ears that sound sticks out every time. It's actually on the vinyl (which I've had for, well, a long time). It's funny because I always thought I'd scratched my record and I'd hear it when I played cassettes I'd made from the album. Years later I heard it - maybe here - and heard the "scratch! Cracked me up!
And, yeah, I always thought this was the best track, too.
jptl wrote:
A true motorhead that can play a mean guitar (not to be outstaged by the late great Danny Gatton -another fantastic guitar-playing motorhead).
And, of course, Jeff Beck, who's never hidden his love for heavy iron.
A true motorhead that can play a mean guitar (not to be outstaged by the late great Danny Gatton -another fantastic guitar-playing motorhead).
And, of course, Jeff Beck, who's never hidden his love for heavy iron.
Outstanding! As fresh as a daisy after all these years. Joy.
Dad, what is that man talking about? WHAT???? - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Second buy! How nice must it be??
Almost makes one long for the 70s...
Ever notice how Buicks seem to pop up in Cooder songs from time to time?
nagsheadlocal wrote:
A true motorhead that can play a mean guitar (not to be outstaged by the late great Danny Gatton -another fantastic guitar-playing motorhead).
"A deuce and a quarter . . ."
Haven't heard that phrase in a long, long time.
Haven't heard that phrase in a long, long time.
A true motorhead that can play a mean guitar (not to be outstaged by the late great Danny Gatton -another fantastic guitar-playing motorhead).
krich58 wrote:
That explains why it comes through on my iPod at a lower volume than any other track - old or new.
Also, I don't know if this has been said already in this thread, but there's a recording glitch on this track that I just noticed. I thought it was unique to the copy of my CD, but it must be in the master.
It's about halfway through the guitar solo just about when he goes off on the slide. It's a digital crack/hiss. Anyone else notice this?
...not that it takes anything away from this great track (by far the best on the album).
If I recall correctly, this was advertised as the first album to be an "all digital" recording.
That explains why it comes through on my iPod at a lower volume than any other track - old or new.
Also, I don't know if this has been said already in this thread, but there's a recording glitch on this track that I just noticed. I thought it was unique to the copy of my CD, but it must be in the master.
It's about halfway through the guitar solo just about when he goes off on the slide. It's a digital crack/hiss. Anyone else notice this?
...not that it takes anything away from this great track (by far the best on the album).
Sounds like ol' Ry was playing a zero-sum game.
I will never forget the magic of the sound on the original direct to disc recording. Absolutely amazing sound. Good musically, too.
" "María Elena" is a 1932popularsong written by Lorenzo Barcelata (Spanish words and music). It was published by Peer International Corporation of Mexico. The English words by Bob Russell. The song was dedicated to María Elena, the wife of Mexican President Emilio Portes Gil.
An instrumental version was recorded in 1958 and released in the United States in 1962 by Natalico and Antenor Lima, better known as Los Indios Tabajaras. This popular revival hit #6 pop, #3 easy listening in 1963. Ry Cooder performed an instrumental version of this song on his 1972 album Boomer's Story. "
"Dance for all!!! How this piece bring such happy memories. I remember the whole town dancing in the plaza while growing up in the Philippines.
RIP Mr. Nato Lima. I'm sure the angels are now dancing with your music up there in heaven. Thank you for coming this way. "
Bill, the last 3 hours of music have gone well beyond your usual gold standard. We have ventured into the realm of unquestionable jaw dropping genius!
nagsheadlocal wrote:
A few years ago the hip slang for a BMW 745 was "a quarter to eight".
"A deuce and a quarter . . ."
Haven't heard that phrase in a long, long time.
Haven't heard that phrase in a long, long time.
A few years ago the hip slang for a BMW 745 was "a quarter to eight".
I remember the LP being the first digital recording, bought it, loved it.
The quality was superb at that time, still is pretty good. I got the CD recently to save the groove, great album.
The quality was superb at that time, still is pretty good. I got the CD recently to save the groove, great album.
cc_rider wrote:
And I'm totally okay with that...
So am I......
And I'm totally okay with that...
So am I......
Felix_The_Cat wrote:
And I'm totally okay with that...
Sounds more or less like a mix between "Thrill is Gone" and "house of the rising sun"
And I'm totally okay with that...
"A deuce and a quarter . . ."
Haven't heard that phrase in a long, long time.
Haven't heard that phrase in a long, long time.
I like the composition, color and lighting of this album cover. Yeah, that's all I got.
Sounds more or less like a mix between "Thrill is Gone" and "house of the rising sun"
One of those tunes that makes me turn around grab my guitar and join in. Great tune
Ry Cooder, back in the '70s. Live @ the Old Grey Whistle Test!
This man has S.O.U.L.
"I am never sure whether my favourite guitarist is Cooder, Buddy Guy or Angus Young. Not an obvious triumvirate, but It's more than just the notes, blues and its derivatives, (even Randy Rhoads "got it" ) there is a spiritual place that these and similarly gifted guitarists can take you too. Which one you choose is irrelevant and down to your personal choice of timbre and style of playing, but think on this: the blues or pentatonic scale only has 5 notes...."
"its often said that a good guitarist emulates that most emotional of instruments the human voice. Me..? I reckon an unaccompanied singer could never convey the emotion that Cooder's playing emits; washing over you and flooding your senses like a November storm. Even the mighty Pink Floyd with the genius that is Dave Gilmour took several albums as band to give you this much emotional content. So kick back, fill up your glass and ponder life's lost moments before life loses you."
"The Stone's ripped off a bunch of Ry's licks for Beggar's Banquet. This is a gem"