I first became a Cake fan back when my younger son went to college up north and used to ride with his friend back and forth for holidays. His friend was a big Cake fan and younger son brought the music to me. Since then I have bought all of their albums and will continue to buy them if they make new ones. I was blessed to see them live at the Royal Oak Music Theater in Royal Oak, MI some years back.
If you haven’t listened to much Cake, you won’t know that “Dime” is extraordinary as a song but not extraordinary for a Cake song. Cake’s albums are full of excellent, tight music and clever, meaningful lyrics mostly about the small, beautiful things in life; yet they also cover big social issues like, “Too Much Carbon Monoxide,” and, “Federal Funding.”
“Dime” is the 4th cut on Cake’s 5th studio album and was released on October 5, 2004. What other band that you can think of would write a song about a dime? If you’re not familiar with Cake beyond its known hits, “Love You Madly,” “The Distance,” and “Short Skirt / Long Jacket,” and “Sick of You” I would heartily encourage you to give them a closer look.
In the brown shag carpet of a cheap motel
In the dark and dusty corner by the TV shelf
Is a small reminder of a simpler time
When a crumpled up pair of trousers lost a brand new dime
Well you ask me how I made it through and how my mint condition could belong to you
When I’m on the ground I roll through town
I’m a president you don’t remember getting kicked around
I’m a dime
I’m fine
And I shine I’m freshly minted
I am determined not to be dented
By a car, by a plane, or anything not yet invented
I’m a dime
I’m fine
And I shine
In the hiss and rumble of the freeway sounds
As the afternoon commuters drive their cars around
There’s a ringle jingle near the underpass
There’s a sparkle near the fast food garbage and roadside trash
I’m a dime
I’m fine
And I shine I’m freshly minted
I’m silver-plated I’m underrated
You won’t even pick me up because I’m not enough for a local phone call
I’m a dime
I’m fine
And I shine
repeat x 2
Songwriter John McCrea
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Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. Today Jim wants us to share what we see as an underrated song.
Tao Talk 
Really nice Lisa, thanks for sharing your music today.
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You’re welcome. Any opportunity I can find to spread the word about them.
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What a fun song! I like it a lot. I think I’ve heard of this band, but not this song. Thanks for choosing it. :)
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As you can tell, like The Killers, I love them. Happy you enjoyed the song, Barbara.
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Enjoyed, of course.
I was 58 when I met my wife, so I when I proposed I gave her a playlist of 58 songs, titled “58.” (!!) “Love You Madly” is on it. I even made a Spotify playlist, but it only has 56 songs because 1 track was a poem by a friend and 1 was a one of my poems.
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Just looked at your spotify playlist and started “following” your spotify page and saved the playlist. One thing I can say about you, Ken, you have a Big Love for Your Wife. She’s a lucky lady <3
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❤️
She just said she’s fully aware of that. It probably doesn’t hurt that I keep reminding her. 😘😜
For our wedding at the light house we played the playlist before and after the ceremony, as well as at the reception.
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<3
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and all those wonderful love poems! (K)
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I’d never heard of them before. This is a fun listen 😊
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Cake is always fun, Clive!
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I’ve had loads of cake in my time, but this is my first taste of Cake. I may well return for another slice 😉
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:)
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Great choice. Cake are so underrated!
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Yes, they are! Thank you, “Someone” (Nancy?)
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I like Cake, but I can’t say I ever focused on any particular song. This is a good one. (K)
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Except for the first album, I know the songs on the others very well. Glad you like this one, K.
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One of those occasions where I can legitimately say more cake please – such a great band.
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Paul, I think you and I have similar musical taste. Yes, they are!
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I think we do too :)
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One of our favs, this band. And one of my favs in particular: Opera Singer. So hilarious!
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“I am … an opera singer. I stand on painted tape.” Oh I love that one also, Stacey. I love those gaps he puts in between the words. Nice to “see” you :)
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Yeah, and the tape on the stage also tells her (or him) where to throw their cake (when they’re having a diva tantrum, lol !!)
What gaps are you speaking of, though? In Opera Singer?
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Listen to how he sings many of his songs. I put the ellipsis where one gap is.
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Oh, yeah !!!
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:)
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Writing a song about a dime is very creative. Really funny lyrics too. Listening to it now. I like it a lot.
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One of the reasons I like Cake so much (creative ideas for songs.) Glad you like this one.
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