The City
1975's Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't call it a fight when you know it's a war
With nothing but your T-shirt on
And go sit on the bed because I know that you want to
You've got pretty eyes, but I know you're wrong
And don't call it a spade if it isn't a spade
And go lie on the floor if you want
The first bit of advice that you gave me that I liked was they're too strong, too strong
Get in the shower if it all goes wrong

Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is, city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is

Yeah, counting cards was the best job he ever had, cleanin' up
He got good with his fours and his twos
Community service was the best job he ever had, cleanin' up
He got sick on the floor and his shoes

Oh, and she said, "It's your birthday, are you feeling alright?"
The next one's the MD, you'll be feeling just fine
Your brother is just sat there, you said you felt snide
You hope that, that the boy'll be alright

Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is, city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is

Yeah, well, she said, "It's your birthday, are you feeling alright?"
The next one's the MD, you'll be feeling just fine
Your brother is just sat there, you said you felt snide
You hope that, that the boy'll be alright

Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is




Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is, city is
Yeah, you wanna find love, then you know where the city is

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The 1975's song The City contain a variety of abstract and seemingly nonsensical lines that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. The song begins with the line "Don't call it a fight when you know it's a war," which can be seen as a metaphor for a relationship that is intense and tumultuous. The singer then goes on to describe a scene in which he is with a woman who is wearing only a t-shirt, and they are both sitting on a bed. He notes that she has "pretty eyes," but he knows that she is wrong about something.


The next verse contains even more abstract lines, such as "Don't call it a spade if it isn't a spade" and "The first bit of advice that you gave me that I liked was they're too strong, too strong." These lines could mean a variety of things, but one interpretation is that the singer is rejecting traditional ways of thinking and advice that doesn't resonate with him. The chorus repeats the line "Yeah you wanna find love then you know where the city is" several times, which could mean that the city represents a place where the singer feels more alive and connected to others.


The third verse describes a man who had a job counting cards and then later had to do community service, during which he got sick on the floor. The final lines of the song depict a conversation in which a woman asks the singer if he is okay, and he responds that his brother is not feeling well. The song ends with another repetition of the chorus.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't call it a fight when you know it's a war.
This isn't just a disagreement, it's a full-on battle.


With nothing but your t-shirt on.
You're vulnerable and exposed.


And go sit on the bed 'cause I know that you want to.
I see through your facade and know what you really desire.


You got pretty eyes, but i know you're wrong.
You may seem attractive, but your actions or beliefs are misguided and inappropriate.


And don't call it a spade if it isn't a spade.
Don't try to sugarcoat the truth or mislabel something.


And go lie on the floor if you want.
You can be defeated and vulnerable if you choose.


The first bit of advice that you gave me that I liked was they're too strong, too strong.
You said something useful and valuable.


Get in the shower if it all goes wrong.
Cleanse yourself of the negativity if things go awry.


Yeah you wanna find love then you know where the city is
If you want to find romance and excitement, go to the city.


Yeah counting cards was the best job he ever had.
He enjoyed making money through this illegal activity.


Cleaning up.
He had to clean up the messes and consequences of his actions.


He got good with his 4's and his 2's.
He became skilled at his illegal activity, but still had to watch out for getting caught.


That community service was the best job he ever had.
He enjoyed doing some good and helping others as part of his punishment for his crimes.


Cleaning up.
He still had to clean up his messes and work towards redemption.


He got sick on the floor and his shoes.
His misdeeds had lasting and uncomfortable consequences.


Oh and she said it's your birthday,
Someone is acknowledging and celebrating your special day.


Are you feeling alright?
Are you happy and content with your life?


The next one's the MD.
The next drink you'll have is a medical one (likely referring to alcohol).


You'll be feeling just fine.
You'll be able to numb any pain or emotional turmoil with this drink.


Your brother is just sat there,
Someone close to you is present and watching your behavior.


You said he felt snide.
You believe he is judging or disapproving of your actions or attitude.


You hope that that boy will be alright.
You want your loved ones to be okay and not suffer because of your choices.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: George Bedford Daniel, Matthew Timothy Healy, Ross Stewart MacDonald, Adam Brian Thomas Hann

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@nlthw1238

"you wanna find love then you know where the city is" - The City
"you know im in love with this city" - She's American
"i've never found love in the city" - A change of heart

"she has a face straight outta magazine" - Robbers
"you used to have a face straight out of a magazine" - A change of heart

"you played apart this is how it starts" - A change of heart
"And this is how it starts" - Sex

The 1975 made their own reference in their songs lol



All comments from YouTube:

@johnnyboy4444

FIFA classic. Glad that someone still makes real music.

@marcos35263

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!!!

@QazRiyami

FIFA knows their music

@rachelhall8189

Shame on you

@unknown0508

@Rachel Hall at least FIFA 14 is a way better than the last FIFA's

@blaze_4555

Renan Nogueira FIFA 14 was prolly one of the best FIFAs ever

4 More Replies...

@NothingSpecialVideo

This band makes me so happy. I can literally feel it in my heart and body when I listen to their music. Ugh

@gregworden7538

Tina Spence hey boy stop

@jocyochoa3870

Hehe...Ugh!...

@Juliianne99

Greg Worden pacing round the room, using other people's faces as a mirror for you

More Comments

More Versions