Inner City Blues
E Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mother, mother (mother, mother)
Everybody thinks we're wrong (mother, mother)
Who are they to judge us (judge us, mother)
Simply 'cause we wear our hair long, ooh (ooh)

Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la

Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have-nots
Money, we make it
Before we see it, you take it

Oh, make me want to holler
The way they do my life, ooh
Make me want to holler
The way they do my life
This ain't living, this ain't living
No, no baby, this ain't living
No, no, no, no, no

Inflation, no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die

Oh, make me want to holler
The way they do my life, yeah
Make me want to holler
The way they do my life

Oh, baby

Hang ups, letdowns
Bad breaks, setbacks
Natural fact is
Oh, honey that I can't pay my taxes

Oh, make me want to holler
And throw up both my hands
Yeah, it makes me want to holler
And throw up both my hands, oh

Crime is increasing
Trigger-happy policing
Panic is spreading
God knows where we're heading

Make me wanna holler, they don't understand, no
Make me wanna holler, they don't understand, no

Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da (oh, baby)
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Oh yeah




Ooh, yeah, ooh
Ooh, no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to E's song "Inner City Blues" speak to the struggles and injustices faced by marginalized communities in urban settings. The song starts by addressing the judgment and criticism faced by individuals for simply expressing their identity through their appearance, specifically mentioning long hair.


The following lines delve into the systemic issues faced by these communities. The lyrics touch upon the disparity between the rich and the poor, with the "haves" spending money on extravagant ventures like rockets and moon shots, while the "have-nots" struggle to make ends meet. This highlights the unequal distribution of wealth and resources in society.


The frustration and anger build as the song progresses. The repeated line "Make me want to holler" emphasizes the overwhelming emotions stirred by the injustices and hardships endured. The lyrics further illustrate the struggles of everyday life, such as inflation, financial strain, and the obligation to serve in wars, which can lead to a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment.


The lyrics also touch upon issues like hang-ups, letdowns, bad breaks, setbacks, and the inability to meet financial obligations like paying taxes. These further exemplify the range of challenges faced by individuals in the inner city, adding to the overall sense of frustration and discontent.


The final lines of the song allude to the increasing crime rates, trigger-happy policing, and an overall atmosphere of panic and uncertainty. The message conveyed is that the social and economic climate is deteriorating, and the future is unknown.


Overall, "Inner City Blues" serves as a powerful critique of the systemic issues faced by marginalized communities and the deep-rooted injustices that permeate society. It highlights the struggle for survival and the urge to speak out against these societal flaws.


Line by Line Meaning

Mother, mother
Addressing the issue at hand


Everybody thinks we're wrong
Others' opinions and judgments


Who are they to judge us
Questioning the authority of those who judge


Simply 'cause we wear our hair long, ooh
The reason behind their judgment


Rockets, moon shots
Advancements in technology and science


Spend it on the have-nots
Distribution of resources and wealth


Money, we make it
Earning money


Before we see it, you take it
Loss of money through taxes or other means


Oh, make me want to holler
Expressing frustration and anger


The way they do my life, ooh
Criticism of the way life is treated


This ain't living, this ain't living
Negation of the current state of life


No, no baby, this ain't living
Strongly asserting that it is not a fulfilling life


Inflation, no chance
Negative consequences of inflation


To increase finance
Difficulties in improving financial situation


Bills pile up sky high
Financial burden and obligations


Send that boy off to die
Mentioning the sacrifice of young individuals


Hang ups, letdowns
Disappointments and obstacles in life


Bad breaks, setbacks
Unfortunate events and challenges


Natural fact is
Acknowledging the reality of the situation


Oh, honey that I can't pay my taxes
Financial difficulties and obligations


Crime is increasing
Rise in criminal activities


Trigger-happy policing
Aggressive and excessive use of force by law enforcement


Panic is spreading
Widespread fear and unease


God knows where we're heading
Uncertainty about the future


Make me wanna holler, they don't understand, no
Expressing the lack of understanding from others


Da-da-da-la, da-da-da-da-la-da
Repetition for emphasis or musicality


Oh yeah
Confirmation or agreement


Ooh, yeah, ooh
Expressing emotions or reactions


Ooh, no
Negative response or rejection




Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, James Nyx

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tulayamalavenapi4028

Translation
Government men are always like carnivorous demons called Rฤkแนฃasas [man-eaters]. Sometimes these government men turn against the conditioned soul and take away all his accumulated wealth. Being bereft of his lifeโ€™s reserved wealth, the conditioned soul loses all enthusiasm. Indeed, it is as though he loses his life.

Purport
The word rฤja-kula-rakแนฃasฤ is very significant. ลšrฤซmad-Bhฤgavatam was compiled about five thousand years ago, yet government men are referred to as Rฤkแนฃasas, or carnivorous demons. If government men are opposed to a person, that person will be bereft of all his riches, which he has accumulated with great care over a long period of time. Actually no one wants to pay income taxes โ€” even government men themselves try to avoid these taxes โ€” but at unfavorable times income taxes are exacted forcibly, and the taxpayers become very morose.

Get it? vedabase.io
Free reading here's the verse:

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/5/14/16/

But the solutions are ALSO found. Seek ye the kingdom of Kแน›แนฃแน‡a..



All comments from YouTube:

@MisterJackson-so9lo

53 years later and this song is tragically still relevant๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ˜ข

@wandacain1310

Still affects me emotionally ๐Ÿ˜ข

@MisterJackson-so9lo

@@user-sc1hu6or1b SUPERB ๐Ÿ’ฅ๐Ÿ’ฅ FULL POINT ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿพ OBSERVATION

@KwaneleCornelius-qx6uq

๐Ÿ˜ข

@bgbstrm2352

RIP Marvin Gaye - the greatest of all time!!! I am white, live in Sweden, 68 now, but remember how I as a teenager really enjoyed this song - and other soul music - and still do!! This album is the greatest ever, unfortunately the lyrics are still relevant today... ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽต

@missionscrapprwill7530

Hello To Sweden

@treacherousjslither6920

Unfortunately. Will we ever get it right? Humanity is pathetic smh

@rubyjones7441

One of the greatest songs ever written!!!

@sybilwindham604

Along with Stevie Wonder's Living For The City.

@sandraatkins2539

Ms. Jones you are so correct. Blessings

More Comments

More Versions