4percent Pantomime
The Band · Cahoots [1971]
For the inconvenience you are suffering
And Mr. Booking Agent, please have mercy
Don't book the jobs so far apart
We went up to Griffith Park
With a fifth of Johnny Walker red
And smashed it on a rock and wept
While the old couple looked on into the dark
Oh, Richard, tell me if it's poker
Oh, Richard, tell me, who's got the joker and is it poker
Deuces wild, like an only child
I'll see what you got
How much is in the pot
You pay the tips and I'll collect the chips
It's a full house tonight, everybody in town is a loser
Yeah, you bet
The dealer's been dealing me bad hands
From the bottom of the deck without the slightest blush
And I don't know whether to call or check
But right now I feel like I got a royal flush
And my lady didn't show from 'Frisco
But we had to go on with the show
Everybody got stoned, it was a gas, it was a smash
Everybody got wrecked, checked
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, Belfast cowboy, lay your cards on the grade
Oh, Belfast cowboy, can you call a spade a spade
Oh, Richard, tell me, is the game poker
I can't understand who the fool is that holds this joker
Is it poker
Oh, Belfast cowboy, lay your cards down on the table
Oh, Belfast cowboy, do you think you're able
About 4percent Pantomime
The Band's "4percent Pantomime" stands as a haunting centerpiece on the 1971 album *Cahoots*, showcasing the group's mastery of folk-rock and their signature use of layered harmonies. Recorded during a pivotal era for the collective, the track exemplifies their ability to weave complex arrangements around simple, evocative melodies. The song reflects the band's deep engagement with American folk traditions while pushing the boundaries of studio production techniques that would later define their legacy. Its enduring appeal lies in its atmospheric quality and the intricate interplay between the musicians, capturing a specific moment in musical history where the group's sound reached a new level of sophistication. This recording remains a testament to their artistic vision and continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate the depth of their catalog.

