Living For The City
Detroit Soul Sensation Lyrics
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Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong movin' in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city
His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
Living just enough, just enough for the city
His sister's black but she is sure not pretty
Her skirt is short but, Lord, her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she's got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city
Her brother's smart, he's got more sense than many
His patience's long but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
'Cause where he lives they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city
Living just enough for the city
Living just enough for the city
Living just enough for the city
His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his life walkin' the streets of New York city
He's almost dead from breathin' in air pollution
He tried to vote but to him there's no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city
I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is crelu no where could be much colder
If we don't change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city
The lyrics of "Living for the City" by Detroit Soul Sensation paint a vivid picture of the struggles and challenges faced by individuals living in the city, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The first verse introduces us to a boy who is born into difficult circumstances in Mississippi. He is surrounded by unpleasant living conditions, symbolized by the four walls that are "ain't so pretty." Despite these hardships, his parents provide him with love and affection, guiding him in the right direction. However, the phrase "living just enough, just enough for the city" suggests that their resources and opportunities are limited, and they are barely getting by.
The second verse focuses on the boy's father, who works long hours but barely earns enough to sustain the family. His hard work isn't rewarded adequately, as he struggles to make a decent living. Similarly, the boy's mother works tirelessly, yet she receives little compensation for her cleaning job. The lyrics emphasize the unfairness of their circumstances, highlighting the stark reality that they are living with just the bare minimum, struggling to make ends meet.
Moving onto the third verse, the focus shifts to the boy's sister. She is described as not conventionally pretty, but her physical strength is symbolized by her sturdy legs. She also faces challenges in receiving an education, as she must wake up early to walk to school. Despite her disadvantages, her clothes may be old, but they are always clean. This verse captures the resilience and determination of individuals who continue to persevere despite facing various obstacles in their path.
The fourth verse introduces the boy's brother, who is depicted as intelligent and having more sense than many others. However, despite his abilities, finding employment is incredibly difficult for him due to racial discrimination. The reference to "they don't use colored people" highlights the systemic racism and prejudice that he encounters. This verse underscores the frustration and hopelessness that many marginalized individuals experience when it comes to accessing opportunities and equality.
In the final verse, the focus shifts to a separate character, a man living in New York City. He is described as having long hair and calloused feet, symbolizing a hard and difficult life. He is affected by the pollution in the city, which has taken a toll on his health. Despite trying to exercise his right to vote, he feels there is no real solution or change available to him. The lyrics demonstrate the disillusionment and disenfranchisement felt by individuals who are ignored and voiceless in society.
The final lines of the song leave the listener with a message of hope and urgency. The artist expresses his sorrow through their voice and hopes it can motivate others to create a better tomorrow. They emphasize the cruelty and coldness of the world, alluding to the need for change. The repetition of the phrase "living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city" serves as a call to action, urging listeners to stop accepting the status quo and strive for a more equitable and just society before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
A child is born in a difficult period in Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
Living in a less-than-ideal environment
His parents give him love and affection
His parents provide him with care and affection
To keep him strong movin' in the right direction
To help him stay resilient and make progress
Living just enough, just enough for the city
Struggling to survive with limited resources in the city
His father works some days for fourteen hours
His father works long hours on certain days
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
But he earns very little money
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
His mother works as a janitor for many people
And you'd best believe she hardly gets a penny
And she hardly earns any money
His sister's black but she is sure not pretty
His sister is black but not conventionally attractive
Her skirt is short but, Lord, her legs are sturdy
She wears a short skirt, but she is physically strong
To walk to school she's got to get up early
She has to wake up early to walk to school
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Although her clothes are old, they are always clean
Her brother's smart, he's got more sense than many
Her brother is intelligent and has more wisdom than most
His patience's long but soon he won't have any
He has a lot of patience, but it won't last long
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Finding a job is extremely difficult
'Cause where he lives they don't use colored people
Because in his area, people of color face discrimination
His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
His hair is long, and his feet are rough and tough
He spends his life walkin' the streets of New York City
He spends his life wandering the streets of New York City
He's almost dead from breathin' in air pollution
The air pollution is severely affecting his health
He tried to vote but to him there's no solution
He attempted to vote but feels like there's no viable option
Living just enough, just enough for the city
Struggling to survive with limited resources in the city
I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
I wish for you to understand my sorrowful message
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
And I hope it inspires you to create a better future
This place is crelu no where could be much colder
This place is harsh and unforgiving, colder than anywhere else
If we don't change the world will soon be over
If we don't bring about change, the world will come to an end
Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city
Surviving with limited resources but aiming to stop merely getting by
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind