Diamond Jim

Larry Hill wrote 'Diamond Jim' in 1974 and recorded it around that time.

This version was created in January 2025.

"Show me your friendship, show me your goodwill,
And I'll point you out a figure who's done without quite well.
He found out quite early what makes your world behave,
And it ain't your lukewarm handshake, nor the promises you gave.

'Started small, didn't have much, no rich daddy for a crutch,
Waited, watched then played my hand, lost it all but came again.
Again, again, and again, never quite learned to quit the game.
Until at last I got ahead, into the black from out of the red.
And where you didn't have the time once, kept a cool and careless silence.
Offered neither help nor guidance, that's all changed now I'm in diamonds.'

Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, place your bets with Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, when you play with him, better play to win.
Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, you may pick a winner but you won't lick him.
Just when you're thinking your lucks in, you'll lose your soul to Diamond Jim!

'Money, money, money, money, my island of milk and honey!
Never known love or sugary kisses, but I don't care what I've been missin'
Now I sleep with my fortune, you gold diggers can kiss the moon!
My credit card will keep me warm, when your stumbling through the storm!
You played it once, when I's a blind man, saved your love for a nine to five man.
Breadline doll get offa my island, you chose love, you didn't choose diamonds!'

Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, place your bets with Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, when you play with him, better play to win.
Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, you may pick a winner but you won't lick him.
Just when you're thinking your lucks in, you'll lose your soul to Diamond Jim!

Who's the guy with the oil wells and the diamond-studded drape?
Who's the cool with the swimming pool that makes the chicks go ape?
Who the prince on the big white horse that puts 'em all to shame,
The only one in the action, the only one in the game.

Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, place your bets with Diamond Jim.
Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, when you play with him, better play to win.
Diamond Jim, Diamond Jim, you may pick a winner but you won't lick him.
Just when you're thinking your lucks in, you'll lose your soul to Diamond Jim!

'Roll them dice, sugar.... Place your bets... That's right... Dollar bills, that's what I like'."