One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
Dancing In The Streets
Cheap Trick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down the street
The same old thing
We did last week
Not a thing to do
But talk to you
Not a thing to do
Mom and dad
They live upstairs
The music's loud
So we don't care
I wish we had
A number so bad
Oh yea
Under street lights
Out past midnight
We're all alright
We're all alright
Yea! Ow
I still recall
And drive on down
Pick you up
And we'll drive around
Not a thing to do
But talk to you
Not a thing to do
Oh yea!
Under street lights
Out past midnight
We're all alright
We're all alright
Yea!
(Oh yea, oh yea)
(Hello Wisconsin!)
The lyrics to Cheap Trick's song In The Streets depict a group of friends who are hanging out together and having a good time despite having nothing to do. They are simply "talk[ing] to you" as they "hang out down the street" and reminisce on past adventures. The singer of the song clearly enjoys spending time with this group of friends, stating that they are "all alright" while being out "under street lights" and "out past midnight".
The line "Mom and dad, they live upstairs, the music's loud so we don't care" suggests a sense of rebellion and freedom among the group, as they are doing what they want despite any potential disruption to their parents living upstairs. The verse "I wish we had a number so bad" expresses a desire to continue hanging out with these friends and experiencing the sense of community and fun that they bring. Overall, the song's lyrics convey a sense of youthful rebellion and carefree enjoyment of life in the moment, despite a lack of direction or purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Hangin' out
Just spending time with friends
Down the street
In the neighborhood
The same old thing
Routine, predictable activities
We did last week
This is a regular occurrence
Not a thing to do
Nothing planned or scheduled
But talk to you
Enjoying conversation with friend(s)
Out in the street, oh yeah
Hanging out outside, in public
Mom and dad
Parents
They live upstairs
Parents are in close proximity
The music's loud
Music is playing loudly
So we don't care
Ignoring the noise, not bothered by it
I wish we had
Expressing desire for something
A number so bad
Possibly wishing for a specific phone number
Under street lights
Illuminated by lights attached to utility poles
Out past midnight
It is late in the night, after midnight
We're all alright
Everything is good, no problems
Yea! Ow
Expressing high spirits through vocalization
I still recall
A memory resurfacing
And drive on down
Drive to a location
Pick you up
Arrive at a friend's house to give them a ride
And we'll drive around
Drive aimlessly, without a destination
Not a thing to do
No specific plans or activities in mind
But talk to you
Conversing with a friend while driving
Oh yea!
Expression of enthusiasm
Under street lights
Illuminated by lights attached to utility poles
Out past midnight
It is late in the night, after midnight
We're all alright
Everything is good, no problems
Yea!
Expression of enthusiasm
(Oh yea, oh yea)
Repeated expression of enthusiasm
(Hello Wisconsin!)
Ending the song with a random shoutout to Wisconsin
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Richard Nielsen, Benjamin W. Vaughn, Robin Zander, Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ed Katz
They covered Mott the Hoople's 'Rock and Roll Queen'!
Michael McShane
Feelin' Alright was their first song they ever played. They later played it in December 1974 still with Xeno and it was then called 'Hot Tomato'. They use lyrics in later songs I'll be with You Tonight and Takin' Me Back.
Liam
Randy kinda sounds like a young Vince Neil. I can't be the only one who hears it...
Brod Jefferson
Damn Daddy Should Have Stayed In High School was an old ass song it was written in 1974 I didn't know that
Sherry Drake
This was before they got Robin Zander as their lead singer. Robin is sooo much better than this singer.