Cover art for The Arrangement by Joni Mitchell

The Arrangement

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Mar. 2, 19701 viewer

The Arrangement Lyrics

[Chorus]
You could have been more than a name on the door
On the thirty-third floor in the air
More than a credit card
Swimming pool in the backyard

[Verse]
While you still have the time you could get away and find
A better life, you know the grind is so ungrateful
Racing cars, whisky bars
No one cares who you really are

[Bridge]
You're the keeper of the cards
Yes, I know it gets hard keeping the wheels turning
And the wife she keeps the keys
She is so pleased to be a part of the arrangement

[Chorus]
You could have been more than a name on the door
On the thirty-third floor in the air
More than a consumer
Lying in some room trying to die
More than a credit card
Swimming pool in the backyard
[Outro]
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, dee
You could have been more than a name on the door
You could have been more than a name on the door
You could have been more
You could have been more
You could have been more

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Genius Annotation

“The Arrangement” criticizes the insignificance of suburban life that so many people end up living. Joni Mitchell implores the listener to do something meaningful with their life rather than conforming to the cultural ideal.

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