Billy Porter

Album: Play Don't Worry (1975)
Play Video
  • Walking down an empty road
    I saw a man in old grey clothes
    A stranger

    Passing by he smiled at me
    But when I looked I realised the danger

    For his eyes they looked so empty and cold
    And something told me that I'm gonna be rolled
    In my pocket only cents and dimes
    But then for them he'd gladly kill me

    Walking past and walking fast
    I managed just to slip around a corner

    Thought he'd hear my running feet
    As I went pounding down the street
    Like thunder

    Well I've never heard my heart beat so fast
    And I've never been so scared in the past
    And I never ever realised
    That this place could be evil to me

    Billy Porter
    You didn't tell me that I needed a gun
    Billy Porter
    When you wrote you said
    That this place is fun
    What have I done

    Well I've never heard my heart beat so fast
    And I've never been so scared in the past
    And I never ever realised
    That this place could be evil to me
    Let me tell ya'

    Now Billy's smart and Billy's tough
    He's good to have
    When the going's rough
    He told me

    "Don't go out on your own at night
    For if you do you'll have to fight
    Stay by me"

    Now he's teaching me
    Each and every day
    And I think that in this place
    I might stay
    And I never, ever realised
    What a roughneck I would turn out to be

    Billy Porter
    You never told me that I needed a gun
    Billy Porter
    When you wrote you said
    That this place is fun
    What can be done

    Billy Porter
    You never told me that I needed a gun
    Billy Porter
    When you wrote you said
    That this place is fun

    Billy Porter
    You never told me that I'd be on the run
    Billy Porter
    What would father say if he saw his son
    Billy Porter
    You never told me that I needed a gun
    Billy Porter
    When you wrote you said
    That this place is fun Writer/s: MICK RONSON
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Wendy Parkin from Cambridgeshire UkI think Mick Ronson didn’t get enough recognition when he was alive. The song, Billy Porter, is in my top ten singles.

    Masterpiece
  • Robin from Bolton, United KingdomI had always imagined that this was addressed to his mate Ian Hunter (name not dissimilar) who emigrated to New York in the mid '70s. But it seems I was wrong. Nice to know the - less exciting - answer.
  • Edward Pearce from Ashford, Kent, EnglandOne of the catchiest songs of the 70's. I've never understood why this was never a hit.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.