You know the lyrics.

You know the bassline.

You know the “waa waa” effect.

Even if you don’t know all the lyrics or you don’t know the name of the song or even the band, you do know that, in the 70s, someone was a picker, grinner, a smoker, and a midnight toker.  Someone got their loving on the run.

I once took a creative writing class with an older student who claimed that he once met the Steve Miller Band in a bar.  He said they were a cool group of guys, even in their older years.  I’m not sure if he was telling the truth (it was creative writing, after all) but it was still a good story.

Why was this song not used in The Dark Knight, I ask you.  We all know that Heath Ledger could sing.  Imagine him singing this while holding up a mirror to the face of Aaron Eckhart.  Or, if Heath didn’t want to sing it, Eric Roberts was in that film as well.  Who wouldn’t want to watch Eric Roberts cover this song?  Missed opportunities.

Enjoy!

Some people call me the space cowboy, yeah
Some call me the gangster of love
Some people call me Maurice
‘Cause I speak of the pompatus of love a

People talk about me baby
Say I’m doin’ you wrong, doin’ you wrong
Well, don’t you worry, baby, don’t worry
‘Cause I’m right here, right here, right here, right here at home

‘Cause I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one
I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my lovin’ on the run
Ooh, whoo, ooh, whoo

You’re the cutest thing that I ever did see
I really love your peaches
Wanna shake your tree
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time
Ooh wee baby, I’ll sure show you a good time

‘Cause I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my lovin’ on the run
I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one

Ooh, whoo, ooh, whoo

People keep talkin’ about me baby
Say I’m doin’ you wrong
Well don’t you worry, don’t worry, no don’t worry mama
‘Cause I’m right here at home
You’re the cutest thing I ever did see
I really love your peaches
Wanna shake your tree
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time
Come on baby now, I’ll show you a good time