Baltimore
5 Chinese Brothers Lyrics
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Once we sat on top of the NFL and the NBA
But all that's over now, time went and slammed the door
And even I packed up and left the city of Baltimore
You know, the older we get the more we stay the same
I just found out my radio can pick up the Oriole games
I tune in every half-an-hour to get the score
Back then I lived in a house, not a one-room flat
I didn't have to work or buy food or do anything like that
And the first girl that I ever loved lived right next door
At night I'd take my dad's car and drive around Baltimore
Something tells me this picture isn't right
Like I'm forgetting how I smashed my dad's car driving stoned one
Night
How my parents fought, how I never even dated the girl next door
How I was just a lonely mixed-up kid in Baltimore
Looking back now, you know I do believe
When I lived in Baltimore, I couldn't wait to leave
Go somewhere else and get a brand-new start
Now I'm dressing up the past 'cause the present is falling apart
The older we get the more we stay the same
Chasing after something that doesn't even have a name
You know, we'll always trade what we've got for what we had before
Everybody's a fool for something, I'm a fool for Baltimore
The song “Baltimore” by 5 Chinese Brothers is a nostalgic and retrospective look at the singer’s life growing up in the city of Baltimore. The lyrics recount a time when Baltimore was a successful and vibrant city, with winning sports teams and fond memories of youth. However, as time has passed, the city has declined in prosperity, and the singer has moved on to other places. Despite this, he still holds a deep affection for Baltimore and holds onto its memories.
The lyrics also explore the theme of the bittersweet nature of memories. While the singer holds onto the positive aspects of growing up in Baltimore, he acknowledges the negative experiences he had as well. He admits to forgetting some of these negative experiences, perhaps indicating a tendency to idealize the past, but understands that they are a part of his reality. The final lines of the song reveal that, despite everything, he considers himself a "fool for Baltimore," showing a deep attachment to his memories of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
Once we won the Series, took it going away
We used to be champions and win easily
Once we sat on top of the NFL and the NBA
We used to be on top of the world in sports
But all that's over now, time went and slammed the door
Those days are gone and we can't bring them back
And even I packed up and left the city of Baltimore
I had to leave because things weren't the same anymore
You know, the older we get the more we stay the same
Despite getting older, we still hold onto the past and old memories
I just found out my radio can pick up the Oriole games
I still have a connection to Baltimore and the Orioles, even from afar
I tune in every half-an-hour to get the score
I'm still invested in the team and their games
And remember the day's when I was growing up in Baltimore
I reminisce about my childhood in Baltimore
Back then I lived in a house, not a one-room flat
I had a better living situation when I was younger
I didn't have to work or buy food or do anything like that
I had a carefree life with no responsibilities
And the first girl that I ever loved lived right next door
I had a childhood crush on a neighbor girl
At night I'd take my dad's car and drive around Baltimore
I had a sense of freedom and adventure as a teenager
Something tells me this picture isn't right
Looking back, I realize that my memories aren't entirely accurate
Like I'm forgetting how I smashed my dad's car driving stoned one night
I conveniently forgot a negative experience from my past
How my parents fought, how I never even dated the girl next door
My nostalgia overlooks the negative aspects of my past
How I was just a lonely mixed-up kid in Baltimore
I had struggles and insecurities as a child
Looking back now, you know I do believe
In hindsight, I realize that things weren't perfect then
When I lived in Baltimore, I couldn't wait to leave
I wanted to escape my past and start over somewhere else
Go somewhere else and get a brand-new start
I wanted a fresh beginning and a chance to start anew
Now I'm dressing up the past 'cause the present is falling apart
I romanticize the past because my current situation is difficult
Chasing after something that doesn't even have a name
I'm pursuing something intangible and unclear
You know, we'll always trade what we've got for what we had before
We often wish we could go back to a past time or situation
Everybody's a fool for something, I'm a fool for Baltimore
I have a sentimental attachment to Baltimore despite its flaws
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOM MELTZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind