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