Hey St. Peter
Flash and the Pan Lyrics
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City lights old and gray
The sun arose, and, trying to smile
Gave it all away
The honky-tonk called a stranger
The stranger couldn't pay the bill
Made a stand, raised his hand
Sang a song, no time to kill
I said, hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
I've got a tale to tell
I've just been down in New York town
It really feels like hell
It really feels like hell
Billy was out of fashion
Manhattan was years ago
Yesterday he wasted time
Money was kind of slow
Billy had friends of glory
Billy was a friend of fame
Took a chance and raised his hand
Sang a song, now he's back in the game
I said, hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
I've got a tale to tell
I've just been down in New York town
It really feels like hell (hell)
It really feels like hel)
I said, hey (hey), hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
It really feels like hell (hell)
It really feels like hell
Hey, St. Peter
Before you ring your bell
Just been down in New York town
Done my time in hell
Done my time in hell
I said, hey (hey), hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey, St. Peter
It really feels like hell (hell)
It really feels like hell (hell)
It really feels like
Hell
The song "Hey St. Peter" by Flash and the Pan is a powerful commentary on the state of urban life in New York City. The song opens with the description of a cold and lonely morning in the midst of a city that is old and gray. The sun tries to shine, but it seems to give up, unable to overcome the bleakness of the surroundings. The lyrics then shift to the story of a stranger in a honky-tonk who can't pay his bill. Rather than leaving quietly, he stands up and sings a song, seizing the moment and refusing to let life beat him down.
The chorus of the song is a plea to St. Peter, asking him to listen to the tale being told. The singer has just come back from New York City and declares that it feels like hell. The verses then continue with the story of Billy, a man who was once in fashion but is now struggling to get by. Billy has friends in high places and is a friend of fame, which gives him the courage to stand up and sing a song. The chorus repeats, driving home the point that life in New York City feels like hell and that the singer and Billy have both been through it.
Line by Line Meaning
The morning was cold and lonely
The start of a bleak and harsh day, with no warmth or companionship
City lights old and gray
The city is drab and lacks vibrancy, looking worn down and desolate
The sun arose, and, trying to smile, Gave it all away
The sun rose but couldn't quite manage to bring any brightness or positivity to the scene
The honky-tonk called a stranger
A bar or club tried to entice in a person who was unfamiliar to the place
The stranger couldn't pay the bill
The person was unable to afford the cost of their drink or entry to the establishment
Made a stand, raised his hand, Sang a song, no time to kill
Instead of paying, the person performed a song for the crowd, making the best of a bad situation
I've got a tale to tell, I've just been down in New York town, It really feels like hell
The singer has a story to share about their negative experience in the city, which felt like a version of hell
Billy was out of fashion, Manhattan was years ago
A person named Billy was no longer in style, and the city of Manhattan felt like a thing of the past
Yesterday he wasted time, Money was kind of slow
Billy spent the previous day idling and didn't have much cash to spend
Billy had friends of glory, Billy was a friend of fame
Despite his current circumstances, Billy had connections to successful and popular individuals
Took a chance and raised his hand, Sang a song, now he's back in the game
Billy decided to risk performing a song, and this led to a boost in his fortunes
Before you ring your bell, Just been down in New York town, Done my time in hell
The artist addresses St. Peter, warning him not to dismiss them before hearing about their experience living through a hellish time in New York City
It really feels like hell
A repetition of the sentiment that the city is unbearable and a version of hell
Contributed by Ethan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.