Street Player
Chicago Lyrics


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I'll never forget those aimless years
Street sounds swirling through my mind
Trouble was often in the air
So we fought to forget our despair

I'm a street player
And I'll play you a song
'Cause you know, my heart & soul
Will carry, carry on
Carry on
Carry on
Carry on

City life's the only way
Street corners and billiard halls was our home away
Lessons learned still help me today

I'm a street player
I've seen it all
Hit men, thieves and many a brawl
But as you see I still stand tall

It was such a small space in time
I never knew that I would find
A musical path for all to see
Anxiety into ecstasy

I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player

I'm a street player
I've seen it all
Hit men, thieves and many a brawl
But as you see I still stand tall

It was such a small space in time
I never knew that I would find
A musical path for all to see
Anxiety into ecstasy

I'm a street player
I'm a street player




I'm a street player
I'm a street player

Overall Meaning

The song Street Player by Chicago reflects on the tough life of a musician on the streets of the city. The lyrics talk about the aimless years and the trouble that often lingered in the air. But despite all of that, the singer of the song persevered and became a street player. He has seen it all - hit men, thieves, and many a brawl - but he stands tall. The city life was the only way for him, and street corners and billiard halls became his home away from home.


The song not only talks about the struggles of the street player but also how he found his musical path. The last verse of the song says that it was such a small space in time, but he never knew that he would find a musical path for all to see - turning his anxiety into ecstasy. This reflects on how music can be a way to channel one's emotions into something beautiful and how it can have the power to inspire.


Overall, the song Street Player is a reflection of life on the streets and how music can be a way to find one's purpose despite the struggles and hardships.


Line by Line Meaning

I'll never forget those aimless years
I have vivid memories of the unguided, directionless times I experienced


Street sounds swirling through my mind
The urban noises were inescapable and intense, they persistently filled my thoughts


Trouble was often in the air
There was frequently an ominous feeling lurking in the atmosphere


So we fought to forget our despair
We struggled to push past our desperation and survive


I'm a street player
I embrace and identify with the urban culture and its hardships


And I'll play you a song
I will share my musical expression with you


'Cause you know, my heart and soul
Because these songs come from my deepest being


Will carry, carry on
Will persist and endure


City life's the only way
I believe that the metropolis is my only means of survival and growth


Street corners and billiard halls was our home away
Those locations were like refuges or sanctuaries to us


Lessons learned still help me today
The hard-learned wisdom I gained from those experiences still serves me


I've seen it all
I've witnessed and survived all kinds of trouble


Hit men, thieves and many a brawl
I've faced dangerous people and situations


But as you see I still stand tall
I remain strong and resilient despite everything


It was such a small space in time
The timeframe during which I found a musical path was brief


I never knew that I would find
I was not expecting to discover a creative outlet


A musical path for all to see
My journey has led me to a place where my talent and art are visible to everyone


Anxiety into ecstasy
I've been able to transform negative emotions into positive, cathartic expression




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: DAVID WOLINSKI, DANNY SERAPHINE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@gabrielavasquez1709

Lyrics
I'll never forget those aimless years
Street sounds swirling through my mind
Trouble was often in the air
So we fought to forget our despair
I'm a street player
And I'll play you a song
'Cause you know, my heart & soul
Will carry, carry on
Carry on
Carry on
Carry on
City life's the only way
Street corners and billiard halls was our home away
Lessons learned still help me today
I'm a street player
I've seen it all
Hit men, thieves and many a brawl
But as you see I still stand tall
It was such a small space in time
I never knew that I would find
A musical path for all to see
Anxiety into ecstasy
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I've seen it all
Hit men, thieves and many a brawl
But as you see I still stand tall
It was such a small space in time
I never knew that I would find
A musical path for all to see
Anxiety into ecstasy
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player



@McManusFenster

never forget those aimless years
Street sounds swirling through my mind
Trouble was often in the air
So we fought to forget our despair
I'm a street player
And I'll play you a song
'Cause you know, my heart & soul
Will carry, carry on
Carry on
Carry on
Carry on
City life's the only way
Street corners and billiard halls was our home away
Lessons learned still help me today
I'm a street player
I've seen it all
Hit men, thieves and many a brawl
But as you see I still stand tall
It was such a small space in time
I never knew that I would find
A musical path for all to see
Anxiety into ecstasy
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I've seen it all
Hit men, thieves and many a brawl
But as you see I still stand tall
It was such a small space in time
I never knew that I would find
A musical path for all to see
Anxiety into ecstasy
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player
I'm a street player



All comments from YouTube:

@pieman2435

Street Player is arguably one of the most sampled songs in music history, even though most Chicago fans don't even know it.

@StephenSpivack

true. I had to show this one to my dad, and he's been listening to chicago since 1969

@pikalambe8959

Right? There was a hit by the Bucketheads in the mid-90s and a new one this month. I know tons of Chicago but did not know his song!

@seanwilliams5053

...it's also a cover/remake. The original song was by Rufus and Chaka Khan, on the album "Street Player," released in 1978. :)

@StephenSpivack

@Sean Williams that's true, but I think Chicago had a better, more popular version (no disrespect to Rufus & Chaka - they're incredible)

@salsasoul4112

Agree 💯

49 More Replies...

@andomikel1

This song was bashed by critics at the time. They totally missed the point of this great song. Fantastic horn arrangement, great groove and Cetera singing better than ever. Awesome stuff

@stephpi100

right! This is a great song!  I am not sure how Critics get their degree, but.......

@anthonylongobardo2623

what the hell could they have bashed this song for top notch disco as far as im concerned

@valuecalc

Anthony Longobardo, critics forget that all bands have to move with the times or get left behind for good.

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