Greenback Dollar
The Kingston Trio · Other Songs - The Kingston Trio
others say I'm no good
But I'm just a natural born travellin' man
Doin' what I think I should, oh yeah
doin' what I think I should.
(Chorus)
And I don't give a damn about a Greenback dollar
Spend it fast as I can
for a whaling song and a good guitar
the only things I understand, poor boy
the only things I understand
when I was a little baby
my momma said, "hey son
travel where you will and grow to be a man
and sing what must be sung, poor boy
sing what must be sung."
(Chorus)
Now that I'm a grown man
I've travelled here and there
I've learned that a bottle of brandy and a song
the only ones who ever cared, poor boy
the only ones who ever cared
(Chorus)
Some people say I'm a no-count
others say I'm no good
But I'm just a natural born travellin' man
Doin' what I think I should, oh yeah
doin' what I think I should.
(Chorus)
Greenback Dollar - The Kingston Trio
The Kingston Trio's 1961 recording of 'Greenback Dollar' stands as a pivotal moment in folk-rock history, marking the group's bold transition from traditional acoustic folk to a more electric, rock-oriented sound. Recorded in New York City, the track features the band's signature three-part harmony layered over a driving rhythm section, showcasing their ability to adapt classic material into a contemporary style. While the song draws thematic inspiration from the Great Depression era and the economic struggles of the time, its execution is defined by the trio's charismatic live energy and innovative use of electric instruments. This recording helped solidify the Kingston Trio's reputation as a dynamic live act capable of influencing the broader folk-rock movement of the early 1960s, bridging the gap between the acoustic traditions of the 1950s and the emerging rock sound of the decade.