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 mam-ma, come on over here."
Instead, I'm stuck here rubbin' 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 my rubber suit a-rubbin' these cars. 

Well, all I can do is a-shake my head
You might not believe that it's true,
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.