Detroit City
Aunt Martha Lyrics
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I spend my night up on a stranger's couch
and I won't get done
While the light's still on
Stumbled out into the week-day street
Packages moving in the sleeping peace
And I walked alone
but it all felt wrong
Burning stars and dirty bars
I've been known to fight
Daylight
Credit cards and rental cars
everything to make this right
Detroit city
you're bringing me down
Highways and stripmalls going up from the ground
Uuuh Uuuh
Five hundred dollars in a savings account
Son of the midwest
I gotta get out
Son of the midwest
I gotta get out
Son of the midwest
I gotta get out
News breaks on the radio waves
Oh Lord I call for the shakes
And I'm driving now
Through this border town
Put me in a coldboard soup
Give me my lines
tell me just what to do
cause I won't go back
No, I won't go back
Burning stars and dirty bars
I've been known to fight
Daylight
Credit cards and rental cars
everything to make this right
Detroit city
you're bringing me down
Highways and stripmalls going up from the ground
Uuuh Uuuh
Five hundred dollars in a savings account
Son of the midwest
I gotta get out
Son of the midwest
I gotta get out
X2
The lyrics of Aunt Martha's song Detroit City describe a feeling of displacement and disillusionment with a city that the singer feels is bringing them down. The first verse paints a picture of the singer as a nomad, spending their nights on strangers' couches and feeling like they can't rest until the light goes out. The second verse continues this theme, with the singer walking alone through a sleeping city that feels wrong to them.
The chorus of Detroit City is a plea to escape from the city, with the singer feeling like they need to get out to make things right. They describe credit cards and rental cars as the means to make this happen, showing a sense of urgency and desperation. The bridge introduces a sense of fear and desperation, with the singer calling out to the Lord to help them through a border town. The song ends with a repeated chorus, emphasizing the singer's need to leave Detroit.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm down on the south side of town
I am currently living in the southern part of Detroit
I spend my night up on a stranger's couch
I have no permanent residency and am forced to rely on the generosity of strangers to sleep
and I won't get done
I refuse to give up or stop trying
While the light's still on
I need to keep working and striving until there is no more opportunity available
Stumbled out into the week-day street
I wandered out into the public streets during the daytime, when most others are at work or school
Packages moving in the sleeping peace
I observed packages being transported while most people were asleep and unaware of their surroundings
And I walked alone
I was alone and without companionship or help
but it all felt wrong
Despite my current circumstances, something about it all felt off and unsatisfying
Burning stars and dirty bars
I have a history of getting into altercations and frequenting less-than-desirable establishments
I've been known to fight
I have a reputation for being able to defend myself and fight back
Daylight
I am always striving to accomplish as much as I can during the day
Credit cards and rental cars
I am willing to do whatever it takes, including accumulating debt or temporary solutions such as renting vehicles, to reach my goals
everything to make this right
I am willing to go to great lengths to achieve what I believe is best for myself and my life
Detroit City
The city of Detroit, with all of its challenges and obstacles, is bringing me down and causing me distress and dissatisfaction
you're bringing me down
The city of Detroit is negatively affecting my life and my wellbeing
Highways and stripmalls going up from the ground
The rapid expansion of highways and commercial areas is changing the landscape and character of the city
Five hundred dollars in a savings account
I only have a small amount of money saved up, which is not enough to make significant changes or investments in my life
Son of the midwest
I am from the Midwest region of the United States
I gotta get out
I am determined to leave Detroit and find a new direction for my life
News breaks on the radio waves
I am hearing breaking news reports on the radio about current events or developments in the world outside of Detroit
Oh Lord I call for the shakes
I am feeling anxious and overwhelmed about my current situation and the state of the world
And I'm driving now
I am currently driving towards somewhere new
Through this border town
I am crossing a border or boundary between different regions or areas
Put me in a coldboard soup
I am willing to endure difficult or unpleasant circumstances if it means achieving my goals or finding a better life
Give me my lines
I want clear directions or guidance on what I need to do to find success or happiness
tell me just what to do
I am seeking guidance or advice on how to improve my situation
cause I won't go back
I am determined not to return to my previous life or circumstances
X2
End of song
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JohnRummins1
I was born in Flint, you guys catpured the essence. Great band.
@luvzgb
You deserve to be heard, I thing you're AMAZING! :)
@StankyPickle1
Good soulful music, me gusta :3 Keep up the good work!
@jimmybinda
Hello! I wanted to let you guys know there is something wrong with the files/recordings of some songs on this album on Apple Music and Spotify. Namely: Detroit City, Neighbor Song, Golden, and No Excuses. When played on an iPhone from Apple Music with mono audio ON, you can barely hear the vocal track and on a couple you can't hear it at all. My sister on her Huawei could not hear the vocal track when played on Spotify no matter what settings she changed. Similarly when playing on a bluetooth device like a speaker or a car, you can't hear the vocals ( only tested on a few, some it does work on). I asked Alexa to play Neighbor song and could not hear the vocals. My brother has the same issue on his phone and car. Please please please fix these! They are such fantastic songs that deserve to be heard. My sister ended up not getting the song because she can't get the vocal track to play. I want to show more people your great music!
James
P.S. I LOVE your music!!
@bluehawk0201
This is going to blow up
@josiahshank4355
is there a version of this out there that doesn't sound underwater?
@Kljp4u001
good tune!
@Zhamlau
You from MI? Cannot find a wiki on you.