Brass Knuckles - Rupert Holmes

Workin' out of homicide

They told me Joe Vinelli died

We’d been a team for seven years

His widow wouldn’t waste her tears

Who’d done him no one seemed to care

'Cause crooked cops foul up the air

But since I worked so long with Joe

I felt I had the right to know

I found a club in Malibu

He’d gone when he felt black and blue

Twenty bucks in petty cash

The hat-check girl spilled out some trash

In a tale I heard a name

That rang a gong to save the game

A congressman named Thollie Doakes

Who had a place in Sherman Oaks

Step softly gumshoe, you’re out of your class

You’re trailing money therefore then there’s glass in the grass

Brass knuckles won’t help when your hands ain’t clean

Rubber hoses, broken noses are a trench coat scene

And you ain’t dressed for this affair

You’re breathing rarified air

Up through the luscious estate I wheeled

A servant made me show my shield

The congressman conversed with me

He flashed his smile convincingly

He said he’d not a thing to hide

Which told me right away he lied

'Cause how could he afford the rent

Unless he’s somewhat overspent

But down the stairs came Mrs. Doakes

The kind that takes off ermine cloaks

She’d left her furs upon her bed

And slipped on angel lace instead

Her husband left to get a drink

Her eyes squared up the way I think

I figured Doakes had murdered Joe

When blackmail for his needing go

Brass knuckles copper, you’re falling in love

You’re near the rim of hell but you see heaven above

Brass knuckes won’t fail you but the light touch will

Pistol holder, chip on shoulder with your guts set to spill

You think that justice owes you face

You brain is loaded with blanks

The angel felt heavenly

She sank her body into me

My double-breasted suit fit fine

Her form aligned itself with mine

I wonder I’d a natural brain

I smelled the truth out clean and plain

I’d have to take her husband in that night

I hoped he’d come without a fight

That when the angel stole my gun

And said, «I hate to spoil your fun»

Then laughing she explained to me

The murderer was none but she

A love affair with Joe went tired

And six shots into him she fired

The congressman a jerk like me

Covered up to keep her free

So good-bye shameless, I’ll aim for the chest

The bullet hole that entered near the top of your vest

You lost your heart already so you won’t feel the pain

Brass knuckles, brass knuckles and a brass-headed brain

Take a breath, prepare to crash

You’ll see a bright, blinding flash