Street Life
Bryan Ferry Roxy Music Lyrics
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They're always calling on my telephone
When I pick it up there's no one there
So I walk outside just to take the air
Come on with me cruising down the street
Who knows what you'll see, who you might meet
This brave new world's not like yesterday
Now I'm blinded I can't really see, yeah
No more bright lights confusing me, no
Don't ask me why I'm feeling blue
'Cause loving you is all I can do
Hey good-looking boys, gather around
The sidewalk papers gutter-press you down
All those lies can be so unkind,
They can make you feel like you're losing your mind
Street Life
Street Life
Street Life
What a Life
Back to nature boys, Vasser girls too
Watch what you say, or think, or do
Continental-style strasse girls might
But you know exactly if it's wrong or right
Education is an important key, yes
But the good life's never won by degrees, no
Pointless passing through Harvard or Yale
Only window shopping, it's strictly no sale
Week end starts Friday soon after eight
Your jet black magic helps you celebrate
You may be stranded if you stick around
And that's really something
The first stanza of "Street Life" is about the desire for solitude, but instead of finding it, one is met with the constant interruption of phone calls. The singer steps outside to take a breath, and invites the listener to join them on a journey through the streets. The new world outside isn't like yesterday, but in a good way. It's full of possibilities that are compared to reaching the Milky Way, offering a different kind of enlightenment. The sensory overload of bright lights is no longer a problem. The singer then reveals their emotional state - a feeling of melancholy or sadness, but the one thing that brings them joy is loving someone, and that's enough. The second stanza of the song mainly focuses on people judging others based on their background, the way they dress, and even their level of education. The singer tells Vasser girls and back-to-nature boys to be careful what they say, think or do, particularly in the presence of continental-style strasse girls. The singer also suggests that seeking out wealth doesn't always equate to happiness. The weekend begins at eight on Friday, and the singer calls on the listener to use their "jet black magic" to celebrate life, but warns that if one sticks around, one can become stranded.
The song was released in 1973, and it served as the lead single off Roxy Music's fifth studio album "Stranded" in 1973. The song was a top 10 single in the UK, and it became one of Roxy Music's most popular songs. The song has an unusual structure, starting with an instrumental section that lasts for over a minute before the vocals enter. The song's music video features the band performing on a street corner in London. The song's writer, Andy Mackay, wrote the riff for "Street Life" as a melody line over a blues progression. Bryan Ferry, the band's frontman, crafted the lyrics for the song. Bryan Ferry recorded a solo version of "Street Life" on his 2007 album, "Dylanesque." The song has been covered by numerous artists, including the jazz musician, Randy Crawford, who had a hit with it in 1981. The song has been featured in several films, including "The Hot Spot" and "Velvet Goldmine." The song is also featured in the video game, "Grand Theft Auto IV." The song has been used in advertising campaigns, including a campaign for Nissan cars in 2005.
Chords:
Intro: Em, A7 (x2)
Verse 1: Em, A7 (x2), D, F, G
Chorus: E, B7, E, B7
Verse 2: Em, A7 (x2), D, F, G
Chorus: E, B7, E, B7
Interlude: Em, G, D (x2)
Chorus: E, B7, E, B7 (x2)
Line by Line Meaning
Wish everybody would leave me alone, yeah
I wish people would stop bothering me and give me some space
They're always calling on my telephone
People keep calling me on my phone
When I pick it up there's no one there
When I answer, the person on the other end hangs up
So I walk outside just to take the air
To get away from my phone, I step outside to take a breath of fresh air
Come on with me cruising down the street
Join me in taking a leisurely drive around town
Who knows what you'll see, who you might meet
We might encounter interesting sights or people along the way
This brave new world's not like yesterday
The world is constantly changing and it's not like it used to be
It can take you higher than the milky way
New experiences can be out of this world and elevate your spirit
Now I'm blinded I can't really see, yeah
I'm blinded by something and can't see things clearly
No more bright lights confusing me, no
The bright lights no longer distract or confuse me
Don't ask me why I'm feeling blue
I can't explain why I'm feeling sad
'Cause loving you is all I can do
The only thing that comforts me is my love for you
Hey good-looking boys, gather around
Attract the attention of the attractive men around
The sidewalk papers gutter-press you down
Tabloids are full of negative stories and bring you down
All those lies can be so unkind,
They can make you feel like you're losing your mind
False rumors and gossip can be cruel and make you feel crazy
Street Life
Street Life
Street Life
What a Life
The street life can be exciting and also chaotic
Back to nature boys, Vasser girls too
Watch what you say, or think, or do
Spend time in nature but be cautious about your words and actions
Continental-style strasse girls might
But you know exactly if it's wrong or right
Women from Europe might behave differently, but you know what's morally right
Education is an important key, yes
But the good life's never won by degrees, no
While education is important, it doesn't necessarily lead to a good life
Pointless passing through Harvard or Yale
Only window shopping, it's strictly no sale
Going through prestigious schools without learning or growing is worthless
Week end starts Friday soon after eight
Your jet black magic helps you celebrate
The weekend starts at 8pm on Friday and you celebrate with your captivating charm
You may be stranded if you stick around
And that's really something
If you stay in the same place, you might become stuck and that's a significant problem
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRYAN FERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sturner80
50 years old and still magnificent.
@1Taratrue
And here I am 50 years later. :)
@user-eo2oz2tf4q
Glam and hash....and than the music got even better... Oh the good days....been there.
@johnreilly9452
The 70s band that practically invented the 80s ahead of their time
@rockhardrockmetalpop
Well said John.
@pacu9
But soooo much better
@allenrothman3317
I never understood that theory. They said Roxy Music inspired Duran Duran. What's the connection? Roxy Music was innovative, interesting and weird (especially early RM). Duran was just a pretty boy pop group.
@johnreilly9452
@Allen Rothman I think you're limiting their influence to just one band, although Duran Duran cited them as an influence there were others like Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, The Human League, Simple Minds (especially early Simple Minds) all of whom cited them, there were others in the 70 S who were inspired by them like Nile Rogers who then went on to inspire
Their influence extended from their style, imagery, and expirmentation fusing different genres.
Duran Duran were at the forefront of the new romantic movement which basically was invented by Roxy so I think a Duran Duran comparison is a bit obvious
@cinematiccrisis
New Wave/Post Punk before Punk
@josjanssen6733
Much has been said here about the brilliance of the group. All so true ! I want to add to that and to sing out loud the praise of Paul Thompson and John Gustafson. The dynamic duo in the background. What a fantastic drive these two provide. Unparalleled in my opinion.