Well, I had just got out from the county prison, 
Doin' ninety days for non-support. 
Tried to find me an executive position, 
But no matter how smooth I talked 
They wouldn't listen to the fact that I was a genius 
The man say, "We got all that we can use." 
Now I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin' 
Working at the car wash blues. 

Well, I should be sittin' in an air conditioned office in a swivel chair 
Talkin' some trash to the secretaries, 
Sayin', "Here, now [bad word] on over here." 
Instead, I'm stuck [bad word] #39; these fenders with a rag 
And walkin' home in soggy old shoes 
With them steadily depressin', low down mind messin' 
Workin' at the car wash blues. 

You know a man of my ability, 
He should be smokin' on a big cigar. 
But till I get myself straight I guess I'll just have to wait 
In [bad word] suit [bad word] #39; these cars. 

Well, all I can do is a-shake my head 
You might not believe that it's [bad word]  
For workin' at this end of Niagara Falls 
Is an undiscovered Howard Hughes. 
So baby, don't expect to see me 
With no double martini in any high-brow society news, 
'Cause I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin', 
Workin' at the car wash blues. 

(Lead break) 

So, baby, don't expect to see me 
With no double martini in any high-brow society news, 
'Cause I got them steadily depressin', low down mind messin', 
Workin' at the car wash blues.