Brother
David and The Citizens Lyrics
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On the freeway
In the airport
In the airplane
In the airtrain
In Brooklyn U.S.A.
To a Tinsel Town
What the Dodgers play
And where they fired it
Where they tried it
Where they doubled it
Where they tripled it
Where they flippin' it
And where the car's parked
Where the girls dance naked
Where they know when you're fakin' it
And where the rubber meets the road yea
Where the hot meets the cold
Poor meet the soul
Where the young meet the old
Truth be told
I got somethin' on my mind
Y'all gotta know
I got a brother named Lee
Look just like me
He gotta lotta enemies
Got a brother named Lee
Look just like me
Both sides of the Mississippi [x2]
On the highway
On the freeway
In the airport
On the airtrain
In the airplane
In Brooklyn U.S.A.
To the Tinsel Town
Where now
What the Dodgers play
And when they're searchin' for something
That you will never find
When they lookin' at her and say 'so fine'
When they keep saying it was suicide
When they never seen that look in her father's eye
Where the rubber meet the road
Where the hot meet the cold
The spirit meet the soul
The young meet the old
I say truth be told
I got somethin' on my mind
Y'all gotta know
I got a brother named Lee
Look just like me
He gotta lotta enemies
Got a brother named Lee
Looks just like me
Both sides of the Mississippi [x2]
Both sides of the Mississippi yea
Both sides of the Mississippi yea
Both sides
Both sides
Both sides of the Mississippi yea
The lyrics to David and The Citizens song "Brother" is a reflection of an individual's travels across America. The repetition of the line "on the highway, on the freeway, in the airport, on the airtrain, in the airplane" represents a continuous journey, a moving cityscape flying by out the window. The second stanza mentions different locations, from Brooklyn to Tinsel Town, and highlights specific places where memories lie such as where the Dodgers play and where the girls dance naked. It also touches on the idea of a split reality, where the poor meet the soul, the hot meets the cold, and the young meet the old. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes having a brother named Lee who looks just like the singer and has many enemies. The final stanza talks about the search for something that will never be found, the suicide that some say happened despite never seeing pain in the father’s eye. The lyrics end on the note of exploring both sides of the Mississippi, signifying the exploration of different perspectives, cultures, and ways of life.
Line by Line Meaning
On the highway
Traveling on the open road.
On the freeway
Traveling on the interstate.
In the airport
Navigating through the airport terminal.
In the airplane
Flying in the aircraft.
In the airtrain
Riding on the train within the airport.
In Brooklyn U.S.A.
In the city of Brooklyn in the United States.
To a Tinsel Town
Going to a glamorous city.
Where now
The current location.
What the Dodgers play
Reference to the Dodgers baseball team.
And where they fired it
The place where a gun was fired.
Where they tried it
The location of a failed attempt.
Where they doubled it
The spot where a doubling occurred.
Where they tripled it
The area where a tripling occurred.
Where they flippin' it
The destination where one is making a profit.
And where the car's parked
The precise location a car is parked.
Where the girls dance naked
The specific place where women dance without clothes.
Where they know when you're fakin' it
A location where people can tell when others are lying.
And where the rubber meets the road yea
The point at which a theory or idea is put to the test.
Where the hot meets the cold
The place where extremes collide.
Poor meet the soul
Where the disadvantaged encounter spirituality.
Where the young meet the old
The location where youth and age intersect.
Truth be told
Saying something honestly.
I got somethin' on my mind
Having something important to say.
Y'all gotta know
Everyone needs to be informed.
I got a brother named Lee
The singer has a sibling named Lee.
Look just like me
Physical resemblance to the singer.
He gotta lotta enemies
The brother has many adversaries.
Got a brother named Lee
Reiterating that the artist has a sibling named Lee.
Looks just like me
Reemphasizing the physical similarity.
Both sides of the Mississippi [x2]
Referring to Lee being present on both sides of the Mississippi River.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@exmagnolia
I wake up early and I wash my face I see this old man who has taken my place...
@ShapeDome
This gives me chills. <3
@darkdaxterversionz
speechless... this is amazing!
@Toffeljagarn
I love that bass