Not Needed Songtext
von Gil Scott‐Heron

He had had two cups of coffee
Two cups more than was allowed
But he′d never been one to take advice
The sister's darting off

Light up a cigarette
Sit down, turn on the radio
I can′t be in no hurry
'Cause there ain't no place to go

They can call this a retirement
They can call a wall a floor
But they always call collect
When you′re not needed anymore


When you′re not needed
Things ain't like they was before
When you′re not needed
When you're not needed anymore
When you′re not needed
Hard to say just what's in store
When you′re not needed
You're not needed anymore

Spent a thousand frozen midnights
Gettin' on those lonely trains
Drinkin′ brandy from a thermos
Somethin′ the boss couldn't hope to do

Check the morning papers
See who was runnin′ at the track
Sister called two nights ago
And you swore you'd call her back

The day just seems to close in
Like a room that′s got no doors
When the plain and simple truth is
You're not needed anymore


When you′re not needed
Things ain't like they was before
When you're not needed
When you′re not needed anymore
When you′re not needed
Hard to say just what's in store
When you′re not needed
When you're not needed anymore

There was no use being bitter
It was over with and done
And if the struggle was to finish
He supposed that he had won

But it seems that when you slow down
Things can catch up with you then
Get the rest you always needed
And you feel the rust set in

The only thing worse than being old
Is being old and poor
′Cause they'll use you and discard you
When you′re not needed anymore

When you're not needed
Things ain't like they was before
When you′re not needed
When you′re not needed anymore
When you're not needed
Hard to say just what′s in store
When you're not needed
When you′re not needed anymore

When you're not needed
Things ain′t like they was before
When you're not needed
When you're not needed anymore
When you′re not needed
Hard to say just what′s in store
When you're not needed
When you′re not needed anymore

When you're not needed
Hard to say just what′s in store
When you're not needed
When you′re not needed anymore