LYRICS:
I stopped into a restaurant and oh, it was a dream
From a half mile up the highway you could see the fixtures gleam
They heated up the coffee cups with extra pressure steam
But the food was terrible
The waitresses were charming, they had such lovely eyes
Their smiles all matched exactly and their uniforms likewise
Their hair was piled as sweetly as the topping on the pies
But the food was terrible
The décor was a symphony in orange, gold and white
The silver and the crockery would fill you with delight
The menu was a masterpiece, so witty and so bright
But the food was terrible
They must have spent a fortune on the furniture and such
On the place mats and the napkins, just like linen to the touch
So the budget for the kitchen really wasn’t very much
And the food was terrible
Another generation will forget the taste of meat
Of tomatoes from the garden and of bread that’s made of wheat
And they’ll never even notice, when it’s plastic that they eat
That the food is terrible
Malvina Reynolds and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott on Rainbow Quest with Pete Seeger (No. 6)
Duration : 0:2:21
[youtube csvVxAsdwvA]
I agree with …
I agree with everone saying she’s ahead of her time…It’s truly is ingenious I must say. Who knew back then it really would end up like this?
you all who can’t …
you all who can’t figure out what she’s getting at are just too dense to explain to…
Beyond her century! …
Beyond her century!!!!
how true, how true. …
how true, how true… she was years beyond her time culinary wise, though this might be metaphoric-i don’t know.
so true! I wish …
so true! I wish that there were more singer/folk song writers like her! I think i have finally found who i want to write like.. her and joni mitchell!
this song is about …
this song is about how looks are deceiving, mainly referring to government and society. well done malvina
say what you will …
say what you will about our terrible food, but at least we dont have to worry about anyone living in North America dying of starvation
This, I believe, …
This, I believe, must have been inspired by Denny’s.
And the food Was-
Terrible.
Shes so fine- …
Shes so fine- hooray for You tube to enlighten me (moreso) about her music
Yeah we all get …
Yeah we all get together and share the same pencil-right?
Great song.
Great song.
Folk music ceased …
Folk music ceased to be “folk” music when it was hijacked by the self-loathing radicals who projected their secret hatreds and self-destructing guilts on the good people of the world. Ironically, despotism thrives because these pseudo-folksingers have sapped the will to resist despotism by painting patriotism, virtue and industriousness as evil. Hey, A-holes, a person doesn’t WRITE a folk song. The people do. Why do you think it’s called a FOLK song? Such unmitigated arrogance!
is she talking …
is she talking about TGIF??? i have to call Homeland Security now, this video makes me uncomfortable…
you are soooo right …
you are soooo right, this sums up everything I hate about the capitalist structure we all assume is holy. spend $10 at mc d’s and you get nothing, but sugar and fat, go to the local store and you get so much more, malvina was ahead of her time
It didn’t.
It didn’t.
I love that song, …
I love that song, it just sums everything up about the powerhungry, capitalistic world we live in.
And I, beatalice, …
And I, beatalice, want to be Malvina! What a great name, “Malvina”… kinda like “Elvira,” & I don’t know a soul named Elvira, either! Her spirit is so strong, pure & sure, & she clearly had an opinion or two, & wasn’t afraid to share them. I’m so thrilled that my daughter (16) admires her, as well, & knows all about her life & work. Peace.
shes adorable! i …
shes adorable! i want this lady to be my grandma.
I wouldn’t say The …
I wouldn’t say The Beatles killed folk. They had tunes like “Blackbird,” and many other socially-aware rock hits as well. John Lennon had some great solo folk-inspired hits, like “Working Class Hero” (a true gem) and “Give Peace a Chance.” Folk music never really died, though, it was just pushed out of the spotlight by corporate executives who think Soulja Boy would better promote their company. It’s absurd, but it’s what the folk musicians protest against, and the record execs hate that.
This lady is a …
This lady is a genius
the beatles and …
the beatles and rolling stones killed folk music.
Why did folk music …
Why did folk music die out like it did. People write songs about just them selfs too much when it should be a form of communicating a global human message.
Funny. But with …
Funny. But with message, a slice ahead of its time. All our food is processed now. Plastic cheese and bleached bread. She seems like a kick!
Ha!
Ha!
oh man, i just …
oh man, i just discovered this lady. she’s great.