Pontiac’s No More
I worked the line 30 years.
and I still hear it ringin’ in my ears.
They shut it down.
put a chain across the door.
I don’t build Pontiacs no more
Pontiac’s no more.
The governor wouldn’t cut a deal.
left the union boys standin’ on their heels.
There’s no golden parachute
when you work the factory floor.
We don’t build Pontiacs no more.
Pontiac’s no more.
My uncle brewed Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.
They left him high and dry after 40 years.
They cut his medical.
They cut his pension.
The things they done to him,
flat out should not have happened.
Now he won’t buy Pabst beer at the store.
And I won’t drive Pontiacs no more.
Pontiac’s no more.
The first new car my Daddy ever owned,
was a 60 Pontiac Ventura, long and white and full of chrome.
2 door hard top coupe, push-button radio
Rochester carburetor, man that thing could go
jet tail lights, rear wheel drive, not too good in snow,
tell me something I don’t already know
They don’t make them like that anymore.
Pontiac’s no more.
You can blame it on the economy.
You can blame it on high corporate salaries.
You can blame it on big oil companies.
You can blame it on the Japanese.
You can blame it on Wall Street greed.
I just built Pontiacs.
Don’t blame this on me.
Don’t put this on me.
I worked the line 30 years
and I still hear it ringin’ in my ears.
Written By: John Stano Copyright 2009
$12.50 Stella high-strung acoustic guitar, vocals: John Stano
From the album: “Caribou Bar & Grill”
Published by: John Stano and Playing Records 2010
You can buy this song from iTunes here.
The trademark of singer/songwriter John Stano’s individual sound is a distinctive blend of acoustic guitar, harmonica and expressive vocals, developed over many years of performance and study. John plays six-string, 12-string and National steel slide guitar. John intertwines fine rack-style harmonica with adept fingerstyle guitar and vocals to create a full, textured sound. Initially self-taught, John went on to study American fingerstyle guitar at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and harmonica with national blues legend, Jim Liban. ‘Sing Out’ compared John’s music to early Bob Dylan while ‘Dirty Linen’ was reminded of Country Joe McDonald. His style could be described as acoustic folk-blues or Americana as John’s influences also include urban blues, rock and beat poetry.
A skillful use of language adds spark to his lyrics. John Stano was a ‘Big Top Chautauqua Songwriter of the Year Finalist for 2010’ and performed his songs under the big top. His song ‘From A Rusty Cadillac’ was recently featured on NPR’s’ Car Talk.’ (Episode #1102) John took first place in the solo/duo category at the ‘Grafton Blues Challenge’ in 2011. As a result he performed at the ‘International Blues Challenge’ in Memphis on historic Beale Street in February, 2012. For more on John Stano, please check out JohnStano.com.