A jazz pianist, bandleader, session man, Hammond B3 player, Auger has played or toured with artists such as Rod Stewart, Tony Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Sonny Boy Williamson, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon and other legends. He has incorporated jazz, early British pop, R&B, soul and rock, and he has been nominated for a Grammy, Keyboard Magazine Organ Player of the Year, 3 million record sales.
Inner City Blues
Brian Auger Lyrics
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Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
No, no, no
Inflation no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Crime is increasing
Trigger happy policing
Panic is spreading
God know where we're heading
Oh, make me wanna holler
They don't understand
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Who are they to judge us
Simply cause we wear our hair long
The song Inner City Blues by Brian Auger's Oblivion Express is a commentary on the state of living in a big city during the 1970s. The lyrics express frustration and anger towards financial struggles, inflation, taxes, and mistreatment by police. The repetition of "dah" throughout the song adds to the feeling of hopelessness and despair. The lyrics "Rockets, moon shots, Spend it on the have nots, Money, we make it, Fore we see it you take it" refers to the government's investment in space exploration while neglecting the needs of the underprivileged.
The chorus "Make me wanna holler, the way they do my life" is an expression of the singer's deep sadness and frustration at the injustice he sees around him. The line "Hang ups, let downs, bad breaks, set backs" represents the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of poverty and lack of opportunities. The song also touches upon the issue of racial discrimination, with the line "Simply cause we wear our hair long" highlighting the idea that people are judged based on their appearance rather than their character.
Line by Line Meaning
Dah, dah, dah, dah
Instrumental intro
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Instrumental intro
Dah, dah, dah, dah
Instrumental transition
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Instrumental transition
Dah, dah, dah
Instrumental transition
Rockets, moon shots
Spending large amounts of money on space exploration while neglecting social welfare programs
Spend it on the have nots
Not allocating enough resources to address poverty and inequality
Money, we make it
Generating wealth as a society
Fore we see it you take it
Having that wealth taken away through taxes and other forms of government revenue collection
Oh, make you wanna holler
Causing immense frustration and anger
The way they do my life
How the government and society at large treat individuals
Make me wanna holler
Causing immense frustration and anger
The way they do my life
How the government and society at large treat individuals
This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
Expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
Rejecting the idea that this is a fulfilling way to live
No, no, no
Reinforcing the previous line
Inflation no chance
Not having the opportunity to keep up with inflation
To increase finance
Improving one's financial well-being
Bills pile up sky high
Being overwhelmed with debt
Send that boy off to die
Referring to the military draft and sending young men to war
Hang ups, let downs
Experiencing obstacles and disappointments
Bad breaks, set backs
Facing difficult circumstances and setbacks
Natural fact is
Accepting the reality of the situation
I can't pay my taxes
Struggling financially and being unable to afford taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
Causing immense frustration and anger
And throw up both my hands
Feeling helpless and defeated
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
Causing immense frustration and anger
And throw up both my hands
Feeling helpless and defeated
Crime is increasing
Noticing a rise in criminal activity
Trigger happy policing
Police using deadly force too readily
Panic is spreading
A general sense of anxiety and fear permeating society
God know where we're heading
Suggesting uncertainty and doubt about the future
Oh, make me wanna holler
Causing immense frustration and anger
They don't understand
Feeling like those in power do not comprehend the struggles of everyday people
Mother, mother
Addressing one's own mother, or perhaps an embodiment of motherhood itself
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Perceived as wrong or deviant from dominant norms
Who are they to judge us
Questioning the moral authority of society's gatekeepers
Simply cause we wear our hair long
Being persecuted for non-conformity to traditional standards of appearance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, James Nyx
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind