We've Gotta Get Out of This Place
Eric Burdon Lyrics


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In this dirty old part of the city
Where the sun refused to shine
People tell me there ain't no use in tryin'

Now my girl you're so young and pretty
And one thing I know is true
You'll be dead before your time is due, I know
Watch my daddy in bed a-dyin'
Watched his hair been turnin' grey
He's been workin' and slavin' his life away
Oh yes I know it

(Yeah!) He's been workin' so hard
(Yeah!) I've been workin' too, baby
(Yeah!) Every night and day
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)

We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
'cause girl, there's a better life for me and you

Now my girl you're so young and pretty
And one thing I know is true, yeah
You'll be dead before your time is due, I know it

Watch my daddy in bed a-dyin'
Watched his hair been turnin' grey, yeah
He's been workin' and slavin' his life away
I know he's been workin' so hard

(Yeah!) I've been workin' too, baby
(Yeah!) Every day baby
(Yeah!) Whoa!
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)

We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life for me and you
Somewhere baby, somehow I know it

We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life for me and you
Believe me baby




I know it baby
You know it too

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eric Burdon's "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" detail the desire for a better life, and the feeling of being trapped in a gritty, working-class environment with little hope for change. The song's first verse sets the scene of a "dirty old part of the city" where the sun doesn't shine, and people around the singer are telling him it's futile to try to improve their lives. The second verse introduces the idea of mortality, as the singer acknowledges that his girl, who is "young and pretty," will be "dead before [her] time is due."


The third verse provides a personal touch, as the singer reflects on his father's life of hard work and the toll it has taken on him, with his hair turning gray as he lies dying in bed. The chorus is repeated twice, with the singer proclaiming that he and his girl have to get out of this place, as there is a better life for them somewhere else. Ultimately, the song is a call to action, urging the listener to not get complacent and to strive for a better life, no matter how difficult it may be.


Line by Line Meaning

In this dirty old part of the city
We are currently living in a rundown area of town.


Where the sun refused to shine
The atmosphere here is generally bleak and gloomy.


People tell me there ain't no use in tryin'
The locals advise against making an effort to improve our situation while living here.


Now my girl you're so young and pretty
My significant other is both youthful and attractive.


And one thing I know is true
I am certain of one fact:


You'll be dead before your time is due, I know
Living in this area can be dangerous and may cause an untimely death.


Watch my daddy in bed a-dyin'
I have witnessed my father's fatal decline.


Watched his hair been turnin' grey
I have observed my father's physical deterioration.


He's been workin' and slavin' his life away
My father has toiled tirelessly throughout his existence.


(Yeah!) He's been workin' so hard
Yes, indeed, my father has been working extremely diligently.


I've been workin' too, baby
I have also been dedicating myself to my work.


Every night and day
My work is neverending and consumes my entire day-to-day.


(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)
I wholeheartedly concur!


We gotta get out of this place
We must escape from this bleak environment.


If it's the last thing we ever do
Even if it is a risky or challenging endeavor.


'cause girl, there's a better life for me and you
For our well-being and quality of life, we must find a more suitable place to live together.


Somewhere baby, somehow I know it
I am confident that a better existence exists for us both other than herein.


Believe me baby
I am not merely spouting empty words.


I know it baby
I am positive that a better future awaits us.


You know it too
You realize the importance of leaving and leading a healthier existence elsewhere.




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jasonphillips3865

I'm leaving my comment here so when someone likes it, I can come back and listen to this masterpiece again.

@richardknapp3800

Seen 2 × in Florida I'm Army Vet & When I Was Young God Bless US Vet And Your Family

@marknewton6984

Great song🤩!

@triciac1019

Come back and listen!

@christinaFaith84

I love this somg!!

@jasonphillips3865

@@triciac1019 . Thank you 😊

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@jbuckley3438

Eric burdon is my great uncle 😊. And my youngest son is the spitting image if him. I love how it's skipped generations and then suddenly it's the mirror image ! #burdons

@lechatel

Lucky boy...great uncle Eric was a helluva looker..

@seaofcronos675

Cool👍

@mr.mediocregamer9653

Does he have much of his rock and roll money left?

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