Frank zappa (guitar, vocals)
George duke (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals)
Napoleon murphy brock (flute, tenor saxophone, vocals)
Chester thompson (drums)
Tom fowler (bass)
Ruth underwood (vibes, marimba, percussion)
Bloodshot rollin' red (harmonica)
James "bird legs" youman (bass)

Heh-heh-heh...
Have you heard the news?
(news? what news?)
Can't afford no shoes
(get a good deal on tape)
Have you heard the news?
(news? can't afford a paper)
Can't afford no shoes
(hi-yo-hi)

Went to buy some cheap detergent
Some emergent nation
Got my load
Got my load
That i stowed

Well, well
Hey lawdy mama,
Can't afford no shoes
Maybe there's a bundle of rags that i could use
Hey anybody,
Can you spare a dime
If you're really hurtin', a nickel would be fine
Hey everybody
Nothin' we can buy
Chump hare rama, ain't no good to try
Recession
Depression