53rd & 3rd
Dee Dee Ramone/Joey Ramone/Johnny Ramone/Ramones/Tommy Ramone Lyrics

The song "53rd & 3rd" by the Ramones appears to tell the story of a male prostitute who is struggling to find clients on the streets of New York City. The opening lines, "If you think you can, well come on man, I was a Green Beret in Vietnam, no more of your fairy stories, 'cause I got my other worries," suggest that the prostitute is trying to defend himself to potential customers who may doubt his ability to perform. He claims to have been a soldier in Vietnam, indicating that he has legitimate toughness that can be useful in his line of work.

The rest of the lyrics describe the bleak reality of the prostitution scene on 53rd & 3rd, where the singer is waiting for someone to pay him for sex. The repetition of the lines "Fifty-third and third standing on the street, Fifty-third and third I'm tryin' to turn a trick, Fifty-third and third you're the one they never pick, Fifty-third and third don't it make you feel sick?" creates a sense of hopelessness and frustration. The singer's sense of desperation is further emphasized by the lines "Then I took out my razor blade, then I did what God forbade, now the cops are after me, but I proved that I'm no sissy," which suggest that he may have resorted to violence to compel someone to pay for his services, and that he is willing to fight back against those who challenge him.

Overall, "53rd & 3rd" is a powerful and gritty song that paints a vivid picture of the seedy underbelly of urban life, particularly for those who are marginalized, vulnerable, and struggling.