It may also be is an incorrect name for … Read Full Bio ↴Bugsy Malone is a ska band.
It may also be is an incorrect name for a soundtrack by composer Paul Williams. If so, please fix your tags.
Down & Out
Bugsy Malone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down and out
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down and out
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down and out
You don't have to sit around
Complaining 'bout the way your life has wound up
Think of all the time you waste
Sure you've hit the bottom
But remember you'll be building from the ground up
Every day's another step
That takes you even closer to the sky, so give a try
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down and out
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down and out
You don't have to sit around
Depressed about the way that luck deceived you
Fortune sailed away, you missed that boat
And found that you'd been left behind
Fight and fight some more
Until you know the world is ready to receive you
Lady luck is fickle
But a lady is allowed to change her mind
You don't have to sit around
Complaining 'bout the way your life has wound up
So be a man you know you can't be certain
That you'll lose until you try
You don't have to sit around
Complaining 'bout the way your life has wound up
So be a man you know you can't be certain
That you'll lose until you try, so give it a try
We as one shout
Up, up, up and out
We as one shout
Up, up, up and out
The lyrics to Bugsy Malone's song "Down and Out" encourage the listener to keep going and to never give up on their dreams. The repetitive chorus of "down and out" signifies hitting rock bottom and feeling defeated, but the verses provide hope and perseverance. The lyrics highlight that time is precious and that complaining about one's life won't change anything. Instead, one should take action and fight for what they want.
The use of the phrase "be a man" in the song is a nod to the time period in which it was written and the gangster culture portrayed in the film. However, the lyrics can still be interpreted as gender-neutral advice to take responsibility and take action.
The final lines of the song "We as one shout, Up, up, up and out" suggest that the listener is not alone in their struggles and that they are part of a community that wants to see them succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down and out
Feeling very low and defeated
You don't have to sit around
There is no need to just sit there and do nothing
Complaining 'bout the way your life has wound up
Don't complain about the life you have, as you cannot change the past
Think of all the time you waste
Regretting your decisions wastes more time than actually making better decisions
And time's a precious thing to let go by
Time is a valuable thing and should not be wasted
Sure you've hit the bottom
Your current situation couldn't get any worse
But remember you'll be building from the ground up
You can only go up from here
Every day's another step
Every day is a new opportunity to improve your life
That takes you even closer to the sky, so give a try
Every step you take brings you closer to achieving your goals, so keep trying
Depressed about the way that luck deceived you
Unhappy about the luck you have received
Fortune sailed away, you missed that boat
You missed an opportunity to improve your life
And found that you'd been left behind
You feel like you are stuck in the same place while others are moving forward
Fight and fight some more
Don't give up, keep fighting for what you want
Until you know the world is ready to receive you
Keep persevering until you are ready to reach your goals
Lady luck is fickle
Luck can easily change and become worse or better
But a lady is allowed to change her mind
Luck can change and become better
So be a man you know you can't be certain
Be brave and take risks because this may result in achieving your goals
That you'll lose until you try
There is no way to predict what the outcome of an attempt will be, so it is always better to try
We as one shout
Together we are stronger
Up, up, up and out
Keep trying and moving forward towards your goals
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PAUL H. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gemma2646
You don't have to sit around complaining 'bout the way your life has wound up.
Think of all the time you waste and time's a precious thing to let go by.
Sure you've hit the bottom, but remember you'll be building from the ground up.
Everyday's another step that takes you even closer to the sky, so give a try.
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down and out.
You don't have to sit around depressed about the way that luck deceived you. Fortune sailed away, you missed that boat and found that you'd been left behind.
Fight and fight some more until you know the world is ready to receive you.
Lady luck is fickle, but a lady is allowed to change her mind.
You don't have to sit around complaining 'bout the way your life has wound up.
So be a man, you know you can't be certain that you'll lose until you try.
We as one shout up, up, up and out.
@girlonabookshelf4922
Easily the best song in the movie! (in my opinion!)
@koryandrews1665
This 1 and the ending song You Give A Little Love are my 2 favorite songs from the movie
@ellabockhart3666
Kory Andrews I watched this movie when I was very little and those two song are always the ones I have remembered
@callumdunne6576
For me it’s either this or So You Wanna Be A Boxer
@lmmbr33zy55
Ye
@moistycheeks724
I like the bad guys song
@oaklandlatinosunited
I think it's safe to say this piece was an Homage to the Great Depression. This was one of My favorite movies as a kid i still like it.
@Sergei_Ivanovich_Mosin
The original musical took place in 1920's Chicago, so the setting is during the depression. Hell it's reference several times during the movie with characters constantly hunting for jobs.
@averypublicspankingof7441
***** On top of that, Bugsy Malone was a real gangster in the 20's.
@mindyours2023
till this very day