[Verse 1] On Wednesday I invited friends For ribs at six on Friday night I bought a checkered tablecloth And promised I'd get timing right At five I opened up the freezer The ribs were still as hard as stone I called the shop on County Road And ordered dinner on the phone [Pre-Chorus] My neighbor saw me check the time He said, it's pizza; you'll be fine [Chorus] Barbecue with a side of pizza Hot from the place on County Road I promised ribs; I brought excuses And a pepperoni load Pass the plates, don't mind the grill I've got the apron; I've got the bill Barbecue with a side of pizza Best cookout on this block tonight [Verse 2] At six the boxes crossed the yard My friends had brought the coleslaw in One held a lid up like a trophy And said, well, looks like you still win We ate outside beneath the lights I grilled the corn I'd thawed in time Somebody asked about the ribs I said, they're staying in tonight [Chorus] Barbecue with a side of pizza Hot from the place on County Road I promised ribs; I brought excuses And a pepperoni load Pass the plates, don't mind the grill I've got the apron; I've got the bill Barbecue with a side of pizza Best cookout on this block tonight [Instrumental - twang guitar and fiddle, eight bars] [Bridge] I wrote THAW RIBS THURSDAY On a note beside the stove Next time those ribs will get their turn That pizza shop stays in my phone [Final Chorus] Barbecue with a side of pizza Hot from the place on County Road I promised ribs; I brought excuses And a pepperoni load Pass the plates, don't mind the grill I've got the apron; I've got the bill Barbecue with a side of pizza Best cookout on this block tonight [Outro] I left that apron hanging up The checkered cloth stayed out till dawn.
