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 messinWorking at the car wash blues

Well, I should be sittin' in an air conditioned office in a swivel chair
Talkin' some trash to the secretary
Sayin', "Here, now mama, 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 messinWorkin' 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 indoor Niagara Falls
Is an undiscovered Howard Hughes
So baby, don't expect to see me