"Seminole Bingo" is a song by American singer/songwriter Warren Zevon from the 1995 album Mutineer. This song is one of many songs performed by Warren Zevon on The Late Show with David Letterman. Link to this performance
About
Warren Zevon has described the song as being "about Florida" before being played at gigs. It was written when Warren found an ad for an Indian gaming in a hotel lobby in Miami, Florida and he asked friend Carl Hiaasen to help him write the song. The Seminole are a Native American people originally of The State of Florida.
The line "down in the swamp with the gators and flamingos" could be a possible reference to The University of Florida Gators or simply that alligators are found all over many parts of the State of Florida.
Music
"Seminole Bingo" is in the key of E minor. Distorted electric guitar and piano are the most prominent instruments. The song features two guitar solos and much guitar filled the song. The song clocks in at 3 minutes and 12 seconds long. "Seminole Bingo" has more of a hard rock edge to it than most Warren Zevon songs featuring a heavy rock drum beat and palm muting chord progressions on the guitar, pinch harmonics and whammy drives.
Lyrics
I'm a junk bond king
And I'm on the run
Me and a friend of mine
We were headed for the sunshine
I got my hands on the wheel
I got gas in the tank
I got a suitcase full of money
From a Luxembourg bank
We didn't stop 'til we got to Big Cypress
Wandered in to the Legion Hall
The sign outside said "Seminole Bingo"
Fell in love with the ping pong balls
And the SEC is far behind
Down in the swamp with the gators and flamingos
A long way from Liechtenstein
I'm a junk bond king playing Seminole Bingo
And my Wall Street wiles
Don't help me even slightly
'Cause I never have the numbers
And I'm losing nightly
I cashed in the last of my Triple B bonds
Bought a double-wide on the Tamiami Trail
I parked it right outside the reservation
Fifteen minutes from the Collier County Jail
And the SEC is far behind
Down in the swamp with the gators and flamingos
A long way from Liechtenstein
I'm a junk bond king playing Seminole Bingo
And the SEC is far behind
Down in the swamp with the gators and flamingos
A long way from Liechtenstein
I'm a junk bond king playing Seminole Bingo