Three Sheets to Kishkiyya · Track 28 · middle
Spend a Penny
VOLUME II — the sudden, urgent pilgrimage to the BATHROOM. The idiom and the song's title hook: "Spend a Penny". Its true history: UK (practice 1850s, phrase ~1945) — penny-operated locks on Victorian public toilets; you paid to go. Render this beat of the night as the band's affectionate, funny, celebratory tribute — the idiom itself is the chorus hook.
Lyrics
[Intro] Ooh, hold that thought! [Verse 1] The bass is loud, the room is spinning bright We're having such a lovely, messy time But suddenly the rhythm has to wait I feel the sudden pressure of my fate I'm dancing toward the corridor, excuse me please A little secret mission through the heat [Pre-Chorus] Tap my heels, tap my toes Everybody in the circle knows I'm smiling but I'm making for the door [Chorus] I'm gonna spend a penny, oh Just like the ladies used to do A heavy brass lock waiting for a coin to tumble through I've got to spend a penny, oh It's such a polite little phrase For running down the hallway in a modern neon daze [Verse 2] Back in 1850 on the London street They built a little sanctuary, clean and sweet You needed solid copper just to turn the latch A private quiet moment you could grab By 1945 it was the cutest thing to say When you just had to powder and escape [Pre-Chorus] Tap my heels, tap my toes Everybody in the venue knows I'm walking fast but trying to look bored [Chorus] I'm gonna spend a penny, oh Just like the ladies used to do A heavy brass lock waiting for a coin to tumble through I've got to spend a penny, oh It's such a polite little phrase For running down the hallway in a modern neon daze [Bridge] Wait, hold my drink, I'm at the front of the line I don't have exact change but the timing is fine It's an elegant dash, a victorious crusade For the oldest transaction that a girl ever made And frankly I am running out of runway here! [Outro] Spending a penny Just a copper and a smile I'll be back in a minute Let me disappear a while Just a penny... Save my spot on the floor.