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Across 110th Street
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woo, ooh
I was the third brother of five
Doing whatever I had to do to survive
I'm not saying what I did was alright
Tryna break out of the ghetto was a day to day fight
Been down so long, getting up didn't cross my mind
But I knew there was a better way of life, and I was just trying to find
You don't know what you'll do until you're put under pressure
'Cross 110th Street is a hell of a tester
Across 110th Street
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Across 110th Street
Pushers won't let the junkie go free
Across 110th Street
Woman trying to catch a trick on the street, ooh baby
Across 110th Street
You can find it all in the street
Woo, ooh, oh
I got one more thing I'd like to talk to y'all about right now
Hey brother, there's a better way out
Snorting that coke, shooting that dope, man, you're copping out
Take my advice, it's either live or die
You've got to be strong if you wanna survive
The family on the other side of town
Would catch hell without a ghetto around
In every city you'll find the same thing going down
Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town
Help me sing it
Across 110th Street
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Across 110th Street
Pushers won't let the junkie go free, oh
Across 110th Street
A woman trying to catch a trick on the street, ooh baby
Across 110th Street, look
You can find it all in the street
Yes, you can
Oh, look around you, look around you, look around you
Look around you, uh, yeah
Woo, ooh
Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street" is a song about survival amidst the dangers and challenges of inner city life. In the first verse, he acknowledges that he did what he needed to do to survive, but at the same time admits that it wasn't necessarily the right way to live. He speaks about the daily struggle to better oneself, and how difficult it can be to escape the cycle of poverty and violence. The line "Been down so long, getting up didn't cross my mind" conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair.
The chorus serves as a snapshot of the various dangers one might encounter on 110th Street in Harlem, including pimps, pushers, junkies, and prostitutes. It paints a vivid picture of a place where both desperation and exploitation are prevalent. In the second verse, Womack takes on a more paternal role, offering advice to those who might be caught up in the same cycle he once was. He encourages them to be strong and promises that there is a better way out. The final verse places the song's message within the larger context of American urban life, suggesting that Harlem is just one example of the problems that are present in every ghetto town.
"Across 110th Street" is a powerful and meaningful song that has resonated with audiences for decades. Its themes of survival, perseverance, and hope in the face of adversity are timeless and universal. The song has also been featured in a number of films and television shows, including the Quentin Tarantino movie, "Jackie Brown."
Line by Line Meaning
Woo, ooh
Musical interlude
I was the third brother of five
I was one of five siblings
Doing whatever I had to do to survive
I did what it took to survive
I'm not saying what I did was alright
I don't condone my past actions
Tryna break out of the ghetto was a day to day fight
Escaping the ghetto was a constant struggle
Been down so long, getting up didn't cross my mind
I was in a bad place for so long that I lost hope of improving my situation
But I knew there was a better way of life, and I was just trying to find
I had faith that a better life existed, and I was searching for it
You don't know what you'll do until you're put under pressure
Pressure tests your character
'Cross 110th Street is a hell of a tester
Living in Harlem is a challenging experience
Across 110th Street
Title of the song
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Pimps prey on vulnerable women
Pushers won't let the junkie go free
Drug dealers keep their customers hooked
Woman trying to catch a trick on the street, ooh baby
A prostitute solicits clients
You can find it all in the street
Harlem streets have all sorts of people and activities
I got one more thing I'd like to talk to y'all about right now
An introduction to a new topic
Hey brother, there's a better way out
You have options besides drugs and crime
Snorting that coke, shooting that dope, man, you're copping out
Abusing drugs is a cop-out
Take my advice, it's either live or die
Listen to me, your life is at stake
You've got to be strong if you wanna survive
You need to have strength to overcome hardships
The family on the other side of town
People in different neighborhoods face different challenges
Would catch hell without a ghetto around
Living in a ghetto makes life harder
In every city you'll find the same thing going down
Most cities have poverty and crime
Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town
Harlem exemplifies the hardships of ghetto life
Help me sing it
Call for audience participation
Oh, look around you, look around you, look around you
Observe your surroundings
Uh, yeah
Musical ad-lib
Woo, ooh
Musical interlude
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Bobby Womack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind