In the City
ÀÏÓ¥ÀÖ¶ÓThe Eagles Lyrics
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Out beyond the neon lights
I know there must be somethin' better
But there's nowhere else in sight
It's survival in the city
When you live from day to day
City streets don't have much pity
When you're down, that's where you'll stay
In the city
I was born here in the city
With my back against the wall
Nothing grows, and life ain't very pretty
No one's there to catch you when you fall
Somewhere out on that horizon
Faraway from the neon sky
I know there must be somethin' better
And I can't stay another night
In the city, oh, oh.
In the city
In the city
In the city
In the city
The Eagles' song "In the City" is a reflection on life in an urban environment. The lyrics depict a feeling of being trapped in the city and longing for something better beyond the horizon. The opening lines suggest a yearning for escape and a belief that there must be something more fulfilling than the hustle and bustle of city life. However, the singer acknowledges that there is no immediate escape and that "survival in the city" means living day-to-day and struggling to make ends meet.
The second half of the song pivots to a more personal reflection of the singer's own experience. Born and raised in the city, the world outside of it is tantalizing, but there is no safety net or support system if things go wrong. The use of light imagery - "neon lights," "neon sky" - reinforces the sense of artificiality and constriction that the city offers. The repetition of "In the city" at the end of each verse highlights the cyclical nature of urban life, in which moments of hope and possibility are stifled by reality.
Overall, "In the City" is a commentary on the joylessness and limited opportunities of life in an urban environment. Its lyrics capture feelings of yearning, confinement, and hopelessness that many people have experienced over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere out there on that horizon
The belief that there's something better out there and worth pursuing.
Out beyond the neon lights
The realization that there's more to life than the distractions of city living.
I know there must be somethin' better
A firm conviction that there's a better life out there to be lived.
But there's nowhere else in sight
Despite the belief in better prospects, every direction in the city appears bleak and dead end.
It's survival in the city
Living in the city necessitates constantly fighting for one's survival.
When you live from day to day
The difficulty of life in the city compounds the need to take it one day at a time.
City streets don't have much pity
The hard truth of city living is that it's everyone for themselves, and the city offers no room for pity.
When you're down, that's where you'll stay
Once you fall behind in the city, it is nearly impossible to get back up.
I was born here in the city
The artist has lived in the city their whole life and likely have experienced its trials and tribulations.
With my back against the wall
The artist feels trapped and cornered by their living conditions and the larger society they're a part of.
Nothing grows, and life ain't very pretty
Life in the city is a constant struggle and that struggle often involves getting by without basic necessities to live a fulfilling life.
No one's there to catch you when you fall
The sense of isolation and the lack of communal support intensifies the constant fear of failure and further marginalizes the artist.
Faraway from the neon sky
The idealized version of life exists outside the city, far away from the city's neon lights and constant bustle.
And I can't stay another night
The singer has had enough of city life and intends to leave.
In the city, oh, oh.
The repetition of the chorus underlines the refrain of feeling trapped and hopeless, with no escape in sight.
In the city
Reiteration of the previous ideas that one must survive through the constant struggles, with the same imagery and sentiments described prior.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY DE VORZON, JOE WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind