Summer In The City
Eat Lyrics


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East side, west side
larcency and homicide
people trying to survive.
Prostitution, retribution
toxic waste and air pollution
politics: no solution.

I've come from the other side of town
This concrete jungle's got me down
I feel the heet, from the street

Live in the city,
die in the city.
Talk is cheap and the air smells shitty.
Laugh in the city,
cry in the city.
It's my home, but it sure ain't pretty.

Uptown, downtown
On the streets and underground
People trying to get around.
Skyscrapers, money makers
New York Knicks and L.A. Lakers
One too many circuit brakers.

Live in the city,
die in the city.
Talk is cheap and the air smells shitty.
Laugh in the city,




cry in the city.
It's my home, but it sure ain't pretty.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eat's song Summer in the City convey the harsh realities of city life. The first stanza highlights the problems that plague the city including larceny, homicide, and pollution. The repetition of "no solution" emphasizes the lack of progress in solving these issues. The second stanza presents a personal perspective of someone who has moved from another part of town and is finding it difficult to adjust to the city's environment. The heat, pollution, and the negative aspects of city living are taking a toll on the singer. The chorus then reinforces the themes of the song, with the stark contrast between people's laughter and tears, and the notion that the city is home, but not an easy one.


Overall, the lyrics reflect the reality of life in the city, where so much is happening at once, and yet, often, it feels like nothing is changing. The song touches on themes of inequality, crime, pollution, and urban development issues. The gritty lyrics aim to convey a message of reality to listeners that life in the city is challenging and that there are no easy solutions. The song's message remains relevant today, decades after its release.


Line by Line Meaning

East side, west side
The city is complex and diverse with different neighborhoods on either side.


larceny and homicide
Crime is prevalent in the city.


people trying to survive.
The city is a tough place to live in, and people just try to get by.


Prostitution, retribution
The city has a dark underbelly with prostitution and revenge.


toxic waste and air pollution
The city has environmental problems and pollution.


politics: no solution.
The political system in the city is ineffective and doesn't address the problems faced by the people.


I've come from the other side of town
The singer is from a different part of the city.


This concrete jungle's got me down
The city can be overwhelming and depressing.


I feel the heat, from the street
The city's energy and intensity can be felt.


Live in the city,
Living in the city,


die in the city.
Dying in the city.


Talk is cheap and the air smells shitty.
People in the city talk a lot but don't necessarily solve any problems, and the city has air pollution.


Laugh in the city,
Laughing in the city,


cry in the city.
Crying in the city.


It's my home, but it sure ain't pretty.
The city is the singer's home but has a lot of problems and is not necessarily beautiful.


Uptown, downtown
The city has different neighborhoods with distinct cultures and characteristics.


On the streets and underground
Life in the city happens both on the surface and behind closed doors.


People trying to get around.
Getting around the city can be a struggle.


Skyscrapers, money makers
The city has towering buildings and a culture of wealth and commerce.


New York Knicks and L.A. Lakers
The city has a sports culture with teams that are well-known.


One too many circuit breakers.
The city has infrastructure problems and sometimes experiences power outages.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES EDWARD DANIELS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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