Monty Harper Songbook

The project was broadcast on WNYE in New York and was designed to help kids think about cigarette and alcohol advertising aimed at them. This song is not currently available as a recording.

Back Off - song lyric

The other day I'm walking through the grocery store.
I run into a camel next to register four.
He's wearing a tuxedo and a sneaky pair of shades.
He's waving round his money like a fool that just got paid.
He says, "Kid, you want the good life, play it smooth like me.
Start with smoking cigarettes.
Buy two packs - I'll give you the lighter for free!"

I said, "Back off, Camel - I know your price.
You give me your free junk and then I pay you with my life."
I said, "Back off, Camel - when are you going to learn?
I don't want to spend my whole life buying cigarettes to burn."
Back off, camel (3x)
Back off, back off.

The other day I'm flipping through a magazine,
when out from the pages pops a beautiful teen.
She's sitting on a motorbike and tossing her hair.
In her hand she holds a cigarette, polluting the air.
She says, "Hey there, kid, you feeling grownup inside?
Than hop on up and hold on tight.
Have a smoke - & let's go for a ride!"

I said, "Back off, baby - I'm more grown up than you.
I know that smoking cigarettes is not the thing to do!"
I said, "Back off, baby - I can see you're not my friend.
The ride you wanna take me on is just a dead end."
Back off baby (3x)
Back off, back off

Just back off, Mister Tobacco Man.
We know exactly what you're up to with your nasty plan.
The smokers that you had all either died or quit,
so now you want the kids to try your cigarettes
because you know they'll get addicted and they'll smoke their lives away,
and all you really care about is what you're getting paid.
I hope you hear this message straight from me to you -
kids today are smart enough to not be fooled.
So back off tobacco man (3x)
Back off, back off