53rd and 3rd
Ramones Lyrics
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I was a Green Beret in Vietnam
No more of your fairy stories
'Cause I got my other worries
Fifty-third and third standing on the street
Fifty-third and third I'm tryin' to turn a trick
Fifty-third and third you're the one they never pick
Fifty-third and third don't it make you feel sick?
If you think you can, well come on man
I was a Green Beret in Vietnam
No more of your fairy stories
'Cause I got my other worries
Fifty-third and third standing on the street
Fifty-third and third I'm tryin' to turn a trick
Fifty-third and third you're the one they never pick
Fifty-third and third don't it make you feel sick?
Then I took out my razor blade
Then I did what God forbade
Now the cops are after me
But I proved that I'm no sissy
Fifty-third and third standing on the street
Fifty-third and third I'm tryin' to turn a trick
Fifty-third and third you're the one they never pick
Fifty-third and third don't it make you feel sick?
Fifty-third and third
Fifty-third and third
Fifty-third and third
Fifty-third and third
Fifty-third and third
Fifty-third and third
Fifty-third and third
Fifty-third and third
The Ramones song "53rd & 3rd" tells the story of a male prostitute standing on the street corner of the titular intersection in New York City. In the first two lines, the prostitute challenges potential customers to approach him, using his previous career as a Green Beret in Vietnam as a way to assert dominance and intimidate. He dismisses any pretense of fairy tales or escapism, as he is preoccupied with more tangible worries.
The chorus emphasizes the feeling of desperation and defeat the character experiences as he tries to make a living on this street corner. The repetition of the phrase "Fifty-third and third" serves to create a refrain, while the final line of each chorus, "Fifty-third and third don't it make you feel sick?" underscores the bleak and hopeless nature of the singer's situation.
The final verse, which describes the singer's violent confrontation with a customer, further emphasizes the danger of the singer's lifestyle and his willingness to resort to extreme measures to protect himself. The lines "But I proved that I'm no sissy" can be seen as a form of self-justification and a way to maintain a sense of pride in an otherwise degrading situation.
Overall, "53rd & 3rd" is a bleak and unflinching look into the world of male prostitution in mid-1970s New York City. The Ramones' typically raw and aggressive sound suits the subject matter, creating a sense of urgency and unease.
Line by Line Meaning
If you think you can, well come on man
Challenging someone to take action
I was a Green Beret in Vietnam
Boasting about military experience
No more of your fairy stories
Dismissing unrealistic tales
'Cause I got my other worries
I have bigger problems to deal with
Fifty-third and third standing on the street
Location of where the artist is located
Fifty-third and third I'm tryin' to turn a trick
Attempting to engage in prostitution
Fifty-third and third you're the one they never pick
Feeling rejected by potential clients
Fifty-third and third don't it make you feel sick?
Reflecting on the negative aspects of prostitution
Then I took out my razor blade
Taking out a weapon
Then I did what God forbade
Committing a violent act
Now the cops are after me
Being pursued by law enforcement
But I proved that I'm no sissy
Asserting one's toughness or courage
Fifty-third and third
Continuously reminding of the location
Fifty-third and third
Repeating the location for emphasis
Fifty-third and third
Continuously bringing attention to the location
Fifty-third and third
Continuously bringing attention to the location
Fifty-third and third
Continuously bringing attention to the location
Fifty-third and third
Continuously bringing attention to the location
Fifty-third and third
Continuously bringing attention to the location
Fifty-third and third
Continuously bringing attention to the location
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOUGLAS COLVIN, JEFF HYMAN, JOHN CUMMINGS, THOMAS ERDELYI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikeface1
These guys are so good ! It blows my mind. The Ramones Rock Joey,Johnny,Dee Dee, Tommy, Marky, Richie, Elvis,And CJ.
@dipadyck
0:20 oyster walrus
@jasonramirez261
Viva hello kitty
@Tiagosennadiogo
Viva
@moester75
There’s got to be some New York qwar that DeeDee ripped off on 53rd and 3rd that’s still alive. Come forth and tell us about it that’d be a funny story.
@mr.t6142
If you want to be punk.
Read. COMMOTION IN MINGERTOWN.
By Thomas C. Stuhr
Like 6 bones on a m a z o n.