Frank Zappa - At The Gas Station Lyrics






[includes last part of Oh No]

[Motorhead:] I worked in a cheesy newspaper company for a while but that was terrible, I wasn't making enough money to build anything

(LOUIE LOUIE)

[Motorhead:] And then I worked in a printing company and a coupla gas stations. Oh, at the gas station where I was working my brother just got married, and uh... he bought a new car and his wife was having a kid and all this miserable stuff, and he needed a job so I gave him a job at the gas station of which I was fired because, you know, he was gonna work there. And he had his car on the rack and he was lubing and changing tires and everything all the time. And so they got fired because he was goofing off, man, and he just kept taking parts and working on his car day and night. And so he lost that job and he went to work in another gas station. He took that one, you know, so he could feed the kids and that. And I went to work in an aircraft company, and uh... I was building these planes. I worked on the XB-70, I was the last welder on there. Yeah but, it was pretty good bread because I was making, uh... $2.71 an hour. I was making a hundred and a quarter a week, and uh... yeah, it was good enough money to be working on, so I got an Oldsmobile, a groovy Olds. But I was going with this chick at that time. By the time I got the Olds running decently, she went out and tore up the engine, and the trans, and a-her and a girlfriend they get in there and booze it up and tear up the seats. Just ripped the seats completely out. So uh... when, I got a '56 Olds, which was this one chick's I was going with, and uh... we used to drive out all over the place and finally she got rid of that, and uh... I got another pickup!

Yeah, man... full speed power... yeah, baby... but anyway, man... I put sixteen bucks... aw yeah... hot daddy... whiskey... tornado... where it's at, baby... Otis Redding, Joe Tex...





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Frank Zappa At The Gas Station Comments
  1. j.... ....

    YOu know his mom or dad always yelled this at him. lol!

  2. M.... ....

    " Hey now, better make a decision, be a moron and keep your position,,,"

  3. M.... R....

    perfect example why quality is better than quantity

  4. r.... ....

    "Hey now, better make a decision or be a moron and keep your position" love that....should be tatooed on each politicians forehead :D (mirrored of course so he/she will remember every morning)

  5. M.... D....

    This is perhaps my favorite Zappa rock song.

  6. J.... M....

    Berkley Greek Theatre, still have the stub and he played this too!!!

  7. S.... m....

    Were they talking about jim bass

  8. G.... C....

    let john mayer TRY to cover that

  9. M.... S....

    Trust Zappa to out-punk the punks!

  10. B.... C....

    RIP Frank

  11. G.... C....

    bozzio is amazing

  12. T.... ....

    MAN IN THE CAMPER WANTS TO BUY SOME WHAAAHAAAHITE!!!

  13. L.... k....

    That bass tone !!

  14. y.... ....

    Frank played the bass on this tune. A huge sound of bass at the edge of feedback ( listen carefuly at the second part to the end) . It's sounds like inside an empty fuel tank. Zappa was a total genius !

  15. L.... S....

    ver una publicidad de katy perry en un video de zappa es bizarro...

  16. m.... m....

    Pumpin' the gas every night....

  17. n.... a....

    Wind up workin' at a gas station vs pumpin' for the man

  18. r.... ....

    Smell that guitar solo

  19. M.... B....

    Still 2019 hellva pic tx m8

  20. p.... b....

    Yes, the instrumentation and production is brilliant, but the lyrics are disgusting. To imply that people who work in gas stations are losers . . . well.

  21. M.... Y....

    GENIUS !

  22. J.... V....

    I love Frank Zappa. Nobody will ever sound like this again.

  23. w.... ....

    That's the first LP of Zappa i heard in my life. Twisted mind, but great musician at the same time.

  24. P.... M....

    One of my all time favourite albums. Next to 'Overnight Sensation' this is one of the best rock albums of all time.

  25. R.... V....

    Great music. I miss him.

  26. C.... C....

    First punk rock song right here

  27. M.... T....

    The best original Miusique

  28. L.... 1....

    This song makes me think of my post-college life except I wound up working in hotels :-( FML

  29. P.... ....

    0:26 Let me see your thumb, let me see you cum. Classic Zappa!

  30. j.... ....

    This here song might offend you some.
    If it does it's because you're dumb.

    Classic.

  31. A.... A....

    I was actually working in a gas station when this came out.

  32. c.... m....

    Between HS and University, I worked in several gas stations and would play this song and many other Zappa bits behind the counter. There were few people who would walk, hear the song and catch the irony. Met a few Zappa Freaks over time too.
    I eventually got fired and went on to graduate from University.
    Damn great album!

  33. C.... V....

    Zappa meets FM Rock in a sublime manner. The greatest composer of the 20th century. Happy to see Dweezil perform in july in Antwerp. The son of Orange county. Cheers.

  34. A.... A....

    I was working in a gas station when I bought this album.

  35. t.... ....

    Interesting song. Outside of the vocalist, there are only two musicians. Bozio, of course, and Frank, who plays all the other instruments. And it's, Manny da camper vants to buy some vhite. (White gas for lanterns)

  36. w.... ....

    SUCKS !!!

  37. t.... s....

    Had my first job at the petrol station. Changes ya for life

  38. C.... ....

    Nobody seems to notice this song is about the Holocaust. He didn't mean a petrol station, he meant a gassing station in a concentration camp. Manny the camper wants to but some whitefish? If you've been there too let me see your thumb (the tattoos that Nazis used to identify prisoners).

    C.... ....

    Crimson_Ghost Bullshit

    C.... ....

    Paul Anthony it's not bullshit. Listen to the lyrics.

  39. B.... M....

    "Manny the camper wants to buy some white...."

  40. h.... ....

    Hess, Forest Avenue, Old days...

  41. M.... D....

    One of my all time favorites

  42. R.... W....

    I graduated from the high school gas station job and wound up with a career working in a hardware store.

  43. K.... J....

    Happy 41st Anniversary ZOOT ALLURES!

    K.... J....

    love iy try out overnightsensationss

  44. C.... B....

    Hey at least you don't wind up working at McDonalds

  45. J.... J....

    Is that Eddie and Flo?

  46. z.... ....

    I remember when I listened this tune for the 1st time: 1979 in Amsterdam when I swallowed some sort of blotter paper if you see what I mean...I know Frank would disagreee but that was the times !...I was jumping everywhere !

  47. z.... ....

    Who's singing in high tones ? Roy Estrada ?

    z.... ....

    Davey Moiré

  48. r.... ....

    daaaaaoonnnnnneeeeee...🎶 bozzio..........

  49. d.... r....

    thats the way it's done where i come from

  50. a.... ....

    Manny de Camper vants to buy some vite
    (Wind up workin' in a gas station
    Wind up workin' in a gas station)
    (Fish!)

  51. C.... P....

    Story of my life. Sadly.

  52. B.... ....

    I ended up working in a gas station back in 1976. Pumping the gas every night.

    B.... ....

    BansheeFifteen m..you mean every nighhhh eye eyeiiightttt..🎶

    B.... ....

    Let me see your thumb.

    B.... ....

    Was it gastown or bonded

  53. U.... R....

    Let me see your thumb

  54. Z.... Z....

    "be a moron and keep your position.."

    Z.... Z....

    Ziggy Zappada Always love seeing your comments on ALL of Frank's work

  55. D.... C....

    Father Oblivion ended up working at a gas station - even though his pancakes were light and fluffy white.

  56. T.... U....

    Fish! Baa.

  57. P.... ....

    I highly enjoy my gas station job ahaa

  58. M.... A....

    "Manny der Kämpfer wants to buy some weiiiiiit"

    M.... A....

    @Eric Redlefsen As a German and English speaker:

    He makes a lot of plays on words with both languages

    It can be interpreted directly in English as: "Manny the Camper wants to buy some whitefish"

    or translated from broken German, "Manny the fighter wants to buy some cocaine"

    as always, Zappa's lyrics are *meant* to be interpreted differently by each listener, which is part of the magic, so if anybody else has a different understanding, we're all ears here.

    M.... A....

    well, campers, at that time , anyway, bought what was called 'white gas' for their lanterns, perhaps it's kerosene

    M.... A....

    It's "Manny the camper wants to buy some white... FISH" ('v' accent on the 'w' words)

    M.... A....

    Well, I don't know, campers (me + dad were there) used to buy what was called 'white gas', at a gas station...it was used in their Lanterns, and so 'many the camper, wants to buy some White' makes a bit of sense, in it's own way...

    M.... A....

    Maybe, but that's the lyric- Davey Moire is singing "FISH" right after Zappa sings "whi-hi-hi-hite".

  59. D.... S....

    I love how zappa would double track lead vocals and pan harmony shit, aurally colourful as fuck.

  60. S.... X....

    working at a gas station is worse than McDonalds, two places I'd never work

    S.... X....

    I've worked in retail,plenty of assholes there

    S.... X....

    Yeah, it really sucks working with the general public. I do work from home as a writer for various projects like creating website content, and sometimes I am reminded just how cheap and shitty people can be. At least in this line of work I don't have to deal with people that are dicks, and I don't have to see anyone in person.

    S.... X....

    I worked at Walmart once and it was hell

  61. R.... ....

    FZ was a musical genius

  62. M.... M....

    Just love the way the heavy bass comes in. But the distortion on the guitar that comes in right at 1:11 (and is precisely mixed out a few seconds later) is awesome. The song sounds so raw at first listen but it's really, really well produced.

    Somehow I missed Zappa for most of my life and only got into it lately. I've got so much good music to hear for the first time.

    M.... M....

    The one note guitar solo direct from FZ's R&B '45s from his 1950's boyhood is particularly noteworthy and all before your transcendental moment of 1,11. All the live versions of this song are lame compared to what he issued on disc.

    M.... M....

    wow never heard those details

    M.... M....

    its a rip of of 10cc

    M.... M....

    Explain yourself? I would be surprised if FZ even heard of 10cc

    M.... M....

    @AJCN they had a #1 hit in the USA about the time this was being recorded

  63. B.... K....

    Frank Zappa is/was the voice of irreverence, he knew everything but played it down and kept the conservative know it alls at bay.

    B.... K....

    I've read that sentence a number of times now, and I still don't see what it means to what I had written down. Zappa described himself as a conservative, if anything, he is pretty much a Barry Goldwater supporter with his views.

    B.... K....

    I agree, I wasn't clear. I don't think Zappa was clear on his views. Zappa should never become the "voice" of conservatism or liberalism, he should continue to be the voice of "real" dissent. Zappa could play anything as well and mostly better than anyone else. At the same time he fought the arrogance and stupidity of the time, with his lyrics. I am speaking about Trump who would be completely eviscerated by Zappa. Trump is not conservative, liberal or even logical, he is a complete idiot, who would have been fair game and much fodder for Zappa.

    B.... K....

    do u think about this a lot blayde

    B.... K....

    BLAYDE YOU ARE REACHING, CHECK OUT SOME OF HIS INTERVIEWS FROM THE 80'S.

    B.... K....

    Blayne Keel
    Sooooo grateful for your expertise being able to ascertain exactly what people thought and to know precisely where they were coming from on all social and political issues most likely without having ever met the person you are describing. Your introspective qualities are astounding and most people must think you are a genius. I especially commend you for lumping all the conservatives in one group. I’ll bet you believe that liberalism will unite the entire planet and the Orwellian utopia is upon us. Truly you are a moron.

  64. W.... P....

    I remember hearing this with my best friend, L McFeeb, in 1976.  I was mortified…I was working in a gas station!  (Gruber's Shell)

    W.... P....

    😂✌

  65. K.... M....

    Pure genius!  :-)

    K.... M....

    how about overnight sensation

  66. C.... D....

    I was lucky enough to see frank a few times, he was such a professional it must have been a nightmare to work for him. Great for the audience though!

    C.... D....

    His bandmembers give interviews all the time and most of them give Frank all the credit for making them professional musicians. Many a great career started with the Mothers.

    C.... D....

    FooBarr1 True. Frank composed a lot of what was made.

    C.... D....

    No, it was hard work but they all had great fun, except for Potheads ;) (for Zappa I would have quit too)

  67. R.... ....

    This song reminds me of Patton Oswalt's bit about "The Test of the Small Town."  You pass the test when you say, "I'm leaving before I kill everyone and then myself!" and you fail when you say, "I'm gonna get a job at the Citgo, and fill my truck up for free!"

  68. c.... ....

    Grooviest 5/4 ever Period .

    c.... ....

    +Doug Steele ♫pumpin the gas every ni i iiiight ♪

    c.... ....

    As soon as I read that someone commented, the song burst into my head again. And stayed.

    c.... ....

    Actually 10/4 (2nd half of song)

    c.... ....

    You got that right man... it ain't easy & it usually cleeears da dancefloor.

    c.... ....

    ​@Drivethebeat That just depends on how you write it. To me it makes most sense to count the quarter note at 120bpm, making it 5/4.

  69. B.... ....

    That crazy bass line brought to yo by Frank, himself!

    B.... ....

    thank you

  70. T.... S....

    6 people wound up working at the gas station.

    T.... S....

    Yep. Me. 26yrs old keeping Frank's magic alive.

    T.... S....

    36 now. thanks trump!

  71. M.... F....

    the song of the summer 1977 -Rye back beach when there was still a tea tree forest and few holiday bungalows - the bush of a wild beach. It was over 6 km into town - we hitched - 5 boys from Preston ,1 from Coburg and 4 or more from Altona Nth and 1 from Brighton -.Wind up working in a gas station was the tune that fueled our relentless hitchhiking and opened our eyes to the real world of outcomes and possibilities. Who would be our driver that night. What danger loomed and could we dissappear if needed. Yes - the murderous bastards came down hurtled down the dirt sandy road with intent and we all dived into and became Tea Trees!
      Isobel and Douglas were buried that night at the back of our property in a shallow grave similar in size to our rubbish expeditions. We were spared or simply to pissed to cool to tough so repelling that the flies never landed but in the Throne. 
      To the roll call : D.W.BROWN,A.DUMBLETON,FREDDIE,S.MALPAS,COOL ALTONA DUDE,M.E.FITZGERALD,P.RYAN,G,CULWICK,G.RYAN,,J.FITZGERALD & maybe IAN.
    I salute you and we honour Frank Zappa and Zoot Allures - we almost ended up in with the green flies.

  72. b.... a....

    Manny the camper vants to vy some vhi-hi-hite...fish!

  73. d.... b....

    that solo is like an ice pick to the forehead!!!!!!!

  74. a.... ....

    It sounds he's singing "let me see your thumb" while the backing is singing "let me see your bum"?

    a.... ....

    Zappa's a known perfectionist, his band wasnt allowed to make mistakes. But the line "Show me your thumb" refers to the old gas pump guys (where it was or still is illegal to pump your own gas) who would get black thumbs from pumpin the white into campers all day

  75. a.... ....

    Gotta vind up vorkin' in a gas station (German accent very important to this song)

  76. J.... i....

    Mr. Wino Man, who runs into the bathroom to comb his hair.
    Master guitarist!
    Too little genius given to.
    Think I’m gonna link this up with a “Bee Gee”z tube I just ran from.

    Awe –too bad.  Drumming till dawn, you cut the way guitar that IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED & QUICKLY / BLED-INTO!  Oh well, I guess it is what can be expected from a drummer?  You probably need a 6-string bassist so to keep you in control  -HA!

    Thanks for the Zap, Drum’N.
    Later

  77. A.... D....

    I'd say he says: buns

  78. J.... J....

    My uncle Robert likes this song.

    J.... J....

    Bob is a dude.

    J.... J....

    Yes he is.

  79. C.... ....

    "Many that can't find funds to buy some bite"

    C.... ....

    It's "Manny the Camper wants to buy some white."  Whaddya been... living Reseda?!?

    C.... ....

    @Rick McCarthy It's "white fish." Learned it from Davey Moire who sang it on the album years ago.

  80. Q.... o....

    yes, dreams count but even more so when they come alive

  81. B.... S....

    Be like me and start at a gas station so ya dont wind up there!

  82. j.... ....

    Sounds a lot like me playing guitar, wait do dreams count ?

  83. T.... ....

    Zoot Allures - only one piece of genius work. FZ's music is a gift.

  84. A.... Y....

    שיר אדיר אין על הגיטרה

  85. p.... ....

    Come pay me a visit someday. I can arrange that for you.

  86. f.... ....

    Plenty of them in midwest.

  87. K.... T....

    I don't remember the last time I saw an American-born person working at a gas station.
    Just an observation...

  88. T.... K....

    I have a cassette with a different cover to both of those....

  89. C.... D....

    Funny that I believe Zappa hated punk, yet this song is almost an early punk rock song.

  90. s.... ....

    i can't get enough of this song...listened to it 20 times in a row. it's the only song i want to hear.....apparently. it's just so awesome. The vocals and guitar are crazy.

  91. P.... T....

    Ironically, I wound up working in a Gas Station! Daddy always said "that we were going to the Poor House", LOVE that Zappa Music, Music IS Best!!!

  92. h.... ....

    "This here song might offend you some. If it does, it's because you're dumb."

    That's basically Frank Zappa summed up, right there. Funny, satirical, opinionated, catchy.

  93. C.... M....

    your are right exceppt its a german accent not yiddish

  94. M.... ....

    This album is underrated... I love it!!!

  95. A.... P....

    he hated commercialism.... but if somethings good its good GREAT ALBUM!!!!!

  96. G.... N....

    Hes actually saying, "Maybe the camper wants to buy some whitefish" in a very thick yiddish accent if im not mistaken-

  97. J.... ....

    I still don't know why 'pumping the gas every night' is followed by lines in German. I've heard the 'he's singing about Nazis' argument and that wouldn't surprise me, but I am not totally convinced.